Library skills for effective study

The MMLL Library offers an extensive program of teaching sessions to help students get to grips with the ways in which they can confidently use the resources available in Cambridge, and to make the most of what we and other libraries can offer. We offer different skills paths, tailored to each year of study, but everyone is welcome at any session. Whether you are a new student or need a refresher, feel free to attend. 

In Michaelmas term 2020, all library teaching is likely to take place online. Booking is required via the Cambridge University Libraries Training page.

Skills Sessions

1. Reading Lists Demonstration (week 1, Language Section Induction)
2. Finding & Managing Information (Michaelmas)
3. Effective Note Making (Michaelmas) 
4. Time Management for Effective Studying (Michaelmas & Lent)
5. Beyond Reading Lists (Lent)
6. YA Workshop
7. Effective Revising & Exam prep (Lent)
8. Referencing clinic → Drop-ins (Lent & Easter)
9. Getting started with Zotero (Lent) – view the Zotero page for online materials.

Skills Paths                

YEAR 1  

• Reading Lists Demonstrations
• Finding and Managing your Information
• Effective Note Making
• Time Management for Effective Study
• Effective Revising for Exam Preparation

YEAR 2

• Beyond Reading Lists – Language Databases & E-Resources
• Time Management for Effective Study
• Effective Revising for Exam Preparation
• Referencing clinic
• YA Workshop

YEAR 4

• Beyond Reading Lists – Language Databases & EResources
• Time Management for Effective Study
• Effective Revising for Exam Preparation
• Referencing clinic
• Getting started with Zotero

LENT SESSIONS

1. Referencing 101

This session is design to introduce first year MMLL undergraduates to the principle of referencing, what and when do they need to reference, why referencing is important, and also to understanding unconscious plagiarism and academic integrity..

Topics covered include:

• When / What do I need to reference?
• Why is referencing important?
• Understanding plagiarism / academic integrity.
• Different referencing styles
• Top tips and handy tools

 Dates & Booking: 14 January 2020 / 16 January 2020

Time: 1:00-2:00 pm

Place: Room 326, Raised Faculty Building, Sidgwick Site

One-to-One Bookable: This workshop can be booked as a one-to-one session. Please email: mv251@cam.ac.uk

2. Time Management for Effective Studying

This session is designed to introduce first year MMLL undergraduates to the best tools and techniques for managing their time more effectively, getting organised, identifying how they work best, and learning to prioritise their workload. It includes online tools and strategies for effective time management.

Topics covered include:

• Practical tips to help you manage your time more effectively
• Suggestions for ways of getting organised
• Identifying how you work best
• Tips on how to prioritise your workload
• How to negotiate deadlines and timelines for assignments and exams
• How to overcome problems with getting started
• Tools and strategies for time management

Dates & Booking: 28 January 2020 / 11 February 2020 

Time & Place: 1:00-2:00 pm, Room 326, Raised Faculty Building, Sidgwick Site

One-to-One Bookable: This workshop can be booked as a one-to-one session. Please email: mv251@cam.ac.uk

3. Effective Revising & Exam Prep

This session is designed to introduce students to strategies to plan a revision timetable. It includes practical tips to help identify when and where you work best, strategies and techniques to stay focused, and a number of tools to block social media while revising. Memory tricks, making meaning, and chunking an all covered, as are exam day tips for for the before the exam, the day of the exam, and while in the exam.  

Topics covered include:

• Organising a revision timetable: do’s and don’ts!
• When/where you work best? ->Spacefinder
• How to stay focused: Strategies and techniques; online tools to block social media
• Studying effectively -> Chunking, Make meaning, Memory tricks
• Exam day tips -> The day of the exam
• Exam day tips -> In the exam room

Dates: 25 February 2020 / 10 March 2020 / 12 March 2020

Time & Place: 1:00-2:00 pm, Room 326, Raised Faculty Building

One-to-One Bookable: This workshop can be booked as a one-to-one session. Please email: mv251@cam.ac.uk 

6. YA Workshop

The Teaching Librarian, Hélène Fernandes, delivers each year the YA Workshop with all the information needed to access and finding resources while on your year abroad.

Date & Time: 14th February 2020

Place: 11:00 - 1:00, Lady Mitchell Hall, Sidgwick Site

No booking needed!

7. Beyond Reading Lists (Language Specific)

Workshop designed to help you deepen your research, refine your searches, and maximise resources available to you. 

Topics covered include:

• Identifying questions for YA projects, dissertations, etc.
• Locating E-Resources (e-journal, e-books, etc.)
• Maximising LibGuides
• Navigating Language Specific Databases

Dates:

French: 13 February 2020

Spanish & Latin American: 4 February 2020 / 26 February 2020

Italian: 3 March 2020

German & Dutch: 30 January 2020 / 20 February 2020

Slavonic: 6 February 2020 / 5 March 2020

Time & Place: 1:00-2:00 pm, Room 326, Raised Faculty Building, Sidgwick Site

8. Getting Started with Zotero

(Managing Information/Creating and Communicating)

Zotero is an excellent referencing software for the Arts & Humanities, and you can install it for free! This introductory workshop will help you get ready to use it. Topics covered include:

• Installing Zotero

• Saving citations
• Creating bibliographies & Annotated bibliographies
• Shared libraries
• Some user Tips

Dates: 23 January 2020 / 18 February 2020 

Time & Place: 1:00-2:00 pm, Room 326, Raised Faculty Building, Sidgwick Site

One-to-One Bookable: This workshop can be booked as a one-to-one session. Please email: library@mmll.cam.ac.uk

DROP-INS (LENT & EASTER)

9. Referencing Clinic

(Managing Information/Creating and Communicating)

Need help with referencing? Confused by citing? Our drop-in clinics are for you! We run them the weeks before long-essays and dissertations are due; but drop us an email throughout the year at any time with your questions!

Dates: 13 to 16 January 2020 (pre-long-essay-1) / 2 to 6 March 2020 (pre-dissertation) / 20 to 23 April 2020 (pre-long-essay-2)

Place: Drop-in by the MMLL Library foyer; no booking necessary! Or drop us an email at any time throughout the year: library@mmll.cam.ac.uk