Work Smarter, Not Harder

This week, we will do a series on how to study effectively. Often, when we think of studying, we conjure up thoughts of spending hours upon hours sitting at a desk focusing on one subject until our eyes fall out. However, it doesn’t have to be that way. Everyone has their own studying habits, but it’s always fun to mix things up. Trying that new study tip might be the thing to help you through your exams and papers.

It’s okay to take a break from studying. Taking a five to ten minute break can help you re-energize and focus on your study goals. In the article “10 Highly Effectively Study Habits,” John M. Grohol remarks that “rewards start by chunking study time into manageable components.” Taking a small study break each hour (or half an hour, or 45 minutes) can help stave off any boredom you might feel.

Here are some ideas for your study break from Bill Fleming, our Outreach and Marketing Librarian:

“When you get worn out and bleary eyed, get some fresh air and crank some tunes in those headphones for a while to get yourself pumped again!”

Samara Carter, our periodicals and ILL Library Specialist, also takes small breaks when studying and recommends hot mint tea–especially peppermint–as a way to remain calm during exam week.

As a way to de-stress and take a break, stop by the library next Wednesday at 10 a.m. and next Thursday at 1 p.m. to grab a treat.

Upcoming Library Events

Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone and everyone has spent all of their money at the Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday sales, we can now turn our attention to…exam week. There is no need to fear what’s coming because the library is here for YOU! We have several events designed to help you survive over the next few weeks.

From Monday, December 3rd until Thursday, December 6th, the library will be open from 7:45 a.m. until 10:30 p.m. to give you a little more time to study and finish your assignments.

On Tuesday, December 4th, and Wednesday, December 5th, a librarian and a member of the writing center staff will be stationed in the Starbucks cafe in CA from 11:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. to provide assistance to students unable to make it to the library or writing center.

During final exams week, be on the lookout for our study break treats! They are popular and disappear quickly! The first batch of treats will be available on Wednesday, 12/12 at 10 a.m. and the second batch of treats on Thursday, 12/13 at 1 p.m. First come, first served!

Be sure to check out our Facebook page next week for tips on how to develop good studying habits.

Good luck!

November and December Library Displays

Throughout the month of November and December the library is featuring “Let It Snow”: a display of books and DVDs focused on the subject of snow, ice and winter. Right next to it, you can also find a collection of library materials that relate to the Winter Holiday Season. All books are available for check out.

Let It Snow

Winter Holiday

The Golden Rule

by Norman Rockwell
Do Unto Others As You Would Have Them Do Unto You

In this season of Thanksgiving we decided to display our print of Norman Rockwell’s painting The Golden Rule. It reflects the diversity of the students we see in the library and the philosophy that we try to practice.

Kindle: Something to Read for the Holidays

What to read for the holidays?  Find it on the Kindle at the Annandale library. Need something handy to read over the holidays?  The library will lend you a Kindle ebook reader where you can enjoy the ease of a lightweight method of carrying around multiple Kindle with keypadbooks at once.  Right now, there are many of the classics loaded on our Kindle and we would love for you to try it out.  Titles include Moby Dick, Frankenstein, Ulysses, and more.  Feel free to request a particular book title and we will make every effort to make it available to you.  Please come by the library and ask to borrow the Kindle ebook reader today!