We know how it is. Your spring break is unexpectedly extended, you may have to deal with housing issues, and you STILL have homework due?! That big research project you’ve been avoiding thinking about is probably due in less than a month. Enter full panic mode!
Never fear — the Consortium Library Research Help Desk is here! Our reference librarians are available at the desk on the first floor of the library Monday-Thursday 9 am – 8 pm, Friday 9 am – 5 pm, and Saturday-Sunday 1 pm – 6 pm. Still looking for sources? Worried about how much information you have to wade through? Confused about how to use all the information you’ve found? And how in the world do you cite things? No matter what stage of research you’re on, we can help.
On that note, DO chunk your project up into bite-sized pieces. It’s easy to feel paralyzed by stress and anxiety, so set attainable daily goals for yourself. Identify 5 articles you could use one day, skim them the next, then write a paragraph summarizing what you learn from them on the third day. It may mean breaking a college-career-long habit of writing things at the last minute, but why make things harder for yourself right now? Give yourself some scholastic self-care.
If you’re working on some super specialized research, try reaching out to one of our subject librarians. They’ve specialized their research help based on discipline, and appointments with them could completely change the scope of your research (and hey, maybe bump you up a letter grade!).
We get it — sometimes it’s hard to leave your house or the coffee shop when you’re in the zone (or quarantined). You can also reach out to the reference librarians by email, chat, and phone. Click here to find out how.
We’re all in this together. Take care of yourselves and each other. Go Seawolves!