ILS and your dissertation: Here to Help

Your dissertation – can ILS help?

Additional support

Opening times

Where are all the books and journals?

Where can you work?

The Learning Web

Got a quick question?

Need advice with Academic Technologies? (Word, PowerPoint, Mahara, etc.)

Need help finding or referencing resources?

What if the library doesn’t have the resources you need?

Printing your dissertation

Feeling anxious? (Strategies for managing anxiety)

Remember…

Contents

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Your dissertation – can ILS help?

ILS are here to support you through your studies and provide a range of resources and study spaces to help you succeed.

Our knowledgeable and friendly staff are on hand to help and offer guidance on any aspect of Library, ICT, Print Services and Information Literacy. ILS are based in the Fountains Building, which is where you’ll find the Library, open access PCs and iMacs, IT teaching rooms and specialist IT suites such as Film & TV editing, Languages and Linguistics.

Fountains is also home to the York Teaching Hospital Library (which YSJ students can access for free) and the Yorkshire Film Archive.

Question Point, on the ground floor of Fountains, is your first point of contact for all ILS queries.

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Additional support

We have a range of peripherals available for loan within Fountains such as large keyboards, roller ball mice and screen filters, as well as specialised software on certain PCs. You may also be entitled to an increased limit on the books you can borrow.

For more information, visit Question Point. Or, pick up our guide to Additional Support.

Opening times

The ground floor of Fountains Learning Centre is open 24/7, providing access to PCs, printing and copying, and copies of Quick Access texts and journals.

Opening hours for the other areas can always be found on the website, plasma screens, bookmarks, postcards or by asking at the Question Point.

During these times you may use all areas of the Library and staff will be on hand to support you.

Please remember to carry your Student ID card at all times, as you may be asked to present it to staff, especially during evenings and weekends.

Term timeMonday to Thursday: 6.00am–1.00amFriday: 6.00am–10.00pmSaturday: 8.00am–10.00pmSunday: 9.00am–10.00pm

Vacation openingOpening hours are subject to change during vacations. Please check our website for details.

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Where are all the books and journals?

Discover – www.yorksj.ac.uk/discoverILS resources (things like books, articles and DVDs) are listed in Discover. You’ll either be able to link directly to the e-book or article, or you’ll see the shelf mark which will tell you where the resource is located in Fountains.

Additional search tools and resourcesThe Information Learning Services website offers access to a number of additional resources and search tools. Some resources are subject specific, e.g. PsycInfo (a comprehensive list of abstracts of scholarly journal articles, book chapters, etc. for Psychology) and some resources are format specific e.g. Box of Broadcasts (a media archive for TV and radio programmes). These will help you find resources available on campus and beyond. See www.yorksj.ac.uk/ils/databases for more.

Fountains – Ground FloorThe ground floor is open 24/7 and is a space where you can study alone or in groups. This is the only area of the building where you may consume hot food. This is where you can find:

• Question Point – your first point of contact for all ILS queries

• Self-issue points

• Book sorter

• Open-access PCs and iMacs

• DVD players

• Printers/copiers

• Project workspaces – for those times when you need to use coloured pens and sticky things

• Two bookable group study tubs with large screens and laptop conenctivity

• Books on hold

• The Rees-Williams Collection and postgraduate research area

• Key texts (one copy of your key texts as reference, 24/7) and journals

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Fountains – First FloorThe first floor is equipped with open access PCs and iMacs and a range of areas for individual or group study, including a silent room. There is also one bookable study tub and printers/copiers. It is also home to the York Teaching Hospital Library, School Library, children’s storytelling area and specialist IT suites.

For a list of the subjects items contained on this floor, and their location, please consult the attached map.

Fountains – Second FloorThis is our quiet floor and is suitable for individual study only. There are also printers and copiers. The second floor is home to the David Hope RE Centre and the Linguistics Lab.

For a list of the subjects items contained on this floor, and their location, please consult the attached map.

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There are now over 400 open access PCs and iMacs in Fountains Learning Centre, De Grey Court and the Holgate Centre; some of which are available 24/7. You can use PCs in IT teaching rooms in Fountains Learning Centre when these aren’t booked out for classes (please check availability with Question Point staff or the timetable posted outside each classroom).

All student PCs and iMacs feature the student desktop, which allows you access to the full range of applications such as Microsoft Office as well as access to your personal file storage area. ILS provide a cloud desktop service enabling you to access all the latest software on any computer on campus or at home.

To access the desktop service from your own device, you are required to install the VMware View client. To install this application, please visit the ILS web pages, www.yorksj.ac.uk/ils,

Where can you work?

for detailed instructions. Select your operating system from the list and install. When prompted for the server address, please enter vdi.yorksj.ac.uk.

A number of laptops and iPads can be borrowed for use in the Fountains Learning Centre.

From September 2013 we have introduced a number of drop-in study spaces across campus. These are equipped with a range of technologies for group or individual study such as large screens, with the facility for you to connect your own device.

The Learning Web (see more right) comprises both group and individual study spaces, plus quick access units located across the campus. Now you can plug your laptop into a large screen and work as a group, find a PC or iMac to work on, or stop off at one of iCyber units to quickly check email or such.

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The Learning Web

Group Study SpaceConnect your own laptop, tablet or phone to a large screen, and work as a group.

Individual Study SpaceA combination of PCs and iMacs can be found across campus wherever you see this sign.

Quick AccessThese PCs and pedestal units are for you to quickly check your email or timetable, or print off a document.

Plug PointsPlug sockets are available for you to charge your own equipment. Please don’t unplug anything already plugged in – there are plenty of spare sockets wherever you see this sign.

For a map of the Learning Web, see overleaf.

The L

earn

ing

Web

– m

ap

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Question PointQuestion Point (QP) is your first point of contact for any question to do with the Library or your IT.

You can visit in person during opening hours (see page 5), telephone on +44 (0) 1904 876696, or email at ils@yorksj.ac.uk.

Got a quick question?

Academic Technologies TrainerAnnette Webb is available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9.30am–3.30pm, throughout term time. She offers group sessions and 1:1 coaching on Microsoft Office, Moodle and Mahara.

Training materials are also available via www.yorksj.ac.uk/ils/itskills. You can book a tutorial with Annette or attend a drop-in clinic, details for which can be found at ilstechclinics.eventbrite.co.uk.

Need advice with Academic Technologies?

Email Annette:a.webb@yorksj.ac.uk

Telephone:01904 876391

IT Help DeskThe IT Help Desk can be accessed via Question Point or at one of our weekly clinics (Wednesday afternoons 2.00pm–4.00pm during term time).

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Need help finding or referencing resources?You can talk to your Academic Liaison Librarian

Faculty of ArtsCreative Writing, Dance, Film & TV Production, Literature, Media & Film Studies, Music, Music Production and Theatre

Lottie Alexander works Monday–Friday, 8.30am–5.00pm, and supports eight of the subject areas within Arts.

Lottie is available to support all members of the faculty with searching for and evaluating information. You can book a tutorial with Lottie, email her at l.alexander@yorksj.ac.uk, or phone her on 01904 876699.

Faculty of ArtsComputer Science, Fine Arts, History & American Studies and Product Design

Leah Emary works Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 8.45am–2.30pm, and supports four of the subject areas within Arts.

Leah is available to support all members of the faculty with searching for and evaluating information. You can book a tutorial with Leah, email her at l.emary@yorksj.ac.uk, or phone her on 01904 876699.

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Faculty of Education and Theology

Clare McCluskey works Monday–Friday, 9.00am–5.00pm, and supports the three main subject areas within Education and Theology – Children, Young People and Education, Initial Teacher Education, and Theology & Religious Studies.

Clare is available to support all members of the faculty with searching for and evaluating information. You can book a tutorial with Clare, email her at c.mccluskey@yorksj.ac.uk, or phone her on 01904 876324.

Faculty of Health & Life SciencesSport, Psychology and Counselling

Jane Munks works Monday–Friday 9.00am–5.00pm, and is available to support all members of the faculty with searching for and evaluating information. You can book a tutorial with Jane, email her at j.munks@yorksj.ac.uk, or phone her on 01904 876105.

Faculty of Health & Life SciencesPhysiotherapy and OccupationalTherapy

Victoria Watt works Monday–Thursday, 9.00am–2.30pm, and supports two of the subject areas within Health and Life Sciences.

Victoria is available to support all members of the faculty with searching for and evaluating information. You can book a tutorial with Victoria, email her at v.watt@yorksj.ac.uk, or phone her on 01904 876152.

York St John Business Schooland Liaison for International Students

Jane Munks works Monday–Friday 9.00am–5.00pm, and is available to support all members of the school with searching for and evaluating information. You can book a tutorial with Jane, email her at j.munks@yorksj.ac.uk, or phone her on 01904 876105.

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Need help finding or referencing resources?Visit SMILE

Designed for you to work through at your own pace, York St John’s online study skills package SMILE is available 24/7 to provide guidance and supports on key academic and employability skills.

SMILE shows you...

• The different types of information available

• How to search effectively

• How to evaluate the quality of the information you retrieve

• How to avoid plagiarism and understand the ethical use of

information

You can access SMILE through your Moodle homepage, or by visiting www.yorksj.ac.uk/smile. If you would like any further information, please contact your Academic Liaison Librarian or Academic Technologies Trainer.

RefWorks

RefWorks is a web-based reference management system accessible to any member of York St John University. It is designed to help you easily gather, manage, store and share references

and to compile instant citations and bibliographies in a variety of styles. To find out more, visit the RefWorks page on the ILS website: www.yorksj.ac.uk/ils.

What if the library doesn’t have the resources you need?

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Inter-Library Loans and postalloans serviceThe Library aims to stock the majority of resources for course requirements. Where there are items that you require for your studies that are not held by us, we offer an inter-library loan service, borrowing items from other libraries on your behalf. Allocations range from 10 to 25 depending on your course of study. Full details are on our website: www.yorksj.ac.uk/ils.

British Library Reading RoomsThe British Library houses a reading room at Boston Spa, near Leeds. You are entitled to visit and read/copy from the items held there. Please ask at Question Point for further details, or visit the BL’s website:www.bl.uk/reshelp/inrrooms/bspa/bostonspa.html

SCONUL AccessThe SCONUL Access scheme allows you to borrow items from other university libraries in person, or to use them for reference purposes. There are restrictions on who can either borrow items or simply use the libraries for reference purposes, so please visit the SCONUL Access website (www.sconul.ac.uk/sconul-access) for further details, or ask at Question Point.

Academic Liaison Librarians The Librarians can also help you refine your searching skills to help you find the most relevant resources. For details of how to book a tutorial or contact your librarian, see pages 12–13.

Don’t forget that we have various ways of getting you the resources you need, even if we don’t have them on site. If in doubt, ask either your Academic Liaison Librarian or at Question Point.

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Printing your dissertation

If you need help with any of the below, Print Services are here for you:

• Printing (available across campus)

• Photocopying

• Stationery

• uniFLOW Print Credits

• Document and dissertation binding

• Laminating

• Scanning

Print Services operate a vending machine on the ground floor of Fountains which sells many products including pens, blank disks, batteries, Post-it notes, Sellotape, memory sticks, highlighters, Pritt sticks, and notepads. Print Services also sell stationery items and other products, including iPhone accessories.

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For further information on Print Services, please visit the ILS web pages: www.yorksj.ac.uk/ils/printservices

Opening times:Monday–Friday, 8.30am–4.30pm

Email:printservices@yorksj.ac.uk

Telephone:01904 876622

Feeling anxious?

It is natural to feel anxious when you are doing a major piece of work, such as your dissertation. ILS has various books on writing your dissertation and managing anxiety. There is also support and advice available from Student Services. Visit their webpages for more information, email them at studentadviceteam@yorksj.ac.uk, or phone them on 01904 876477. Their opening times are on the website.

Student Services have kindly provided the information in the rest of this section on anxiety. More extensive information on all these topics can be found at www.yorksj.ac.uk/studentservices.

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Strategies for managing anxiety

Anxiety manifests itself physically as well as psychologically. Learn how to manage it by creating your own Managing Anxiety Strategy Kit (MASK).

Think about which of these activities you could fit into your day…

ExerciseExercise is good for your mental health. If you perform a cartwheel or handstand, then for that moment your anxiety drains away. Cartwheeling through an exam hall is clearly not possible, but the point remains – doing something physical and fun interrupts the Anxiety cycle.

When you exercise you use up adrenalin and other hormones that the body produces under stress, as well as relaxing the muscles. Exercises such as walking, swimming, playing a sport, going to the gym, or yoga can help relax the body and mind. They make you concentrate and this can also take your mind off your fear.

Relaxation and mindfulnessLearning to relax is a really important part of learning to manage Anxiety. By regularly practicing relaxation and mindfulness you will be able to call upon this section of your MASK during those highly anxious times.

There are many different types of relaxation exercises and they take time and perseverance to master. You need to practice and practice. Breathing exercises help slow down your breathing and reduce feelings of anxiety.

Mindfulness is about learning to focus, or be mindful of what is happening from moment to moment with a non-judging attitude. Once you learn how to do this, you can begin to deal with the effects of anxiety.

Build relaxation and switch off time into your life. This may seem hard to do when you’re really busy but try it and see how much better you feel when returning to your academic work.

Put aside some time each day just for you. Go out for a walk, phone a friend, do the garden, read a book, watch TV, listen to music.

LaughResearch shows not only does laughter improve our mood; it also relieves stress and improves our immune system. The next time you find yourself with a frown on your face, consider this: four-year-old children laugh on average 400 times a day, whereas adults only laugh 14 times. So invite your friends over for some serious cheering up.

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Strategies for managing anxiety (cont.)

SleepSleeping is important to our health and wellbeing, but many of us don’t sleep well. Insomnia, or the inability to sleep or stay asleep for long enough to feel refreshed the next morning, is very common affecting up to a fifth of the UK population at any one time.

With a little help from my friends…Talking to others is helpful and a good distraction from your thoughts. Not because the other person can magically make your anxiety vanish but because they will have a different, more compassionate viewpoint.

It can also be helpful to think how you would react if a friend came to you with the same anxiety you are experiencing. What advice would you give them? Would that advice work for you?

Avoid avoidanceWhile it is perfectly rational for you to avoid the thing or the situation that makes you anxious, this is only a short-term gain, with longer term pain.

Notice how you workSpend some time monitoring your anxiety levels. Carry a notebook with you to record everything you do throughout the day, noting down how

stressed you felt on a rating of one to 10 for each listing.

After a few days some patterns should begin to emerge. Are your ratings always higher when you are working to a deadline, dealing with a certain person, or are you just trying to cram too much into your day?

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Challenge your Negative Automatic ThoughtsThe first thing you need to do is notice that they are there. Usually your Negative Automatic Thoughts are not consciously-formed thoughts. They are automatic and negative - hence the name. You just instantly think them and you listen to them as if they were true. Your first step is to notice when you are being negative and critical of yourself (or others). It is only once you have noticed them that you can begin to take the next step, which is to challenge them.

Practice challenging the negative thought. Some examples of NATS are:

• What if I can’t do it? (black and white thinking)

• What if they see I’m an idiot? (labelling)

• If I fail this one thing then it’s all utterly ruined. I’ll never get a decent job (catastrophising)

• What if they think I don’t like them? (mind-reading)

When people are very anxious, they tend to exaggerate how threatening a situation is, and underplay how effectively they can cope with that situation.

Positive Thinking Thinking positively about yourself is a great way to challenge your Negative Automatic Thoughts or NATS. Try to set aside at least 30 minutes each day to switch off from the world and unwind.

Stop fixating on the bad stuff. For every negative thought balance it with a positive one.

Self Help Computer Programmes Here are some online Cognitive Behavioural Therapy programmes you can join to help manage your anxiety:

• www.llttf.com/

• www.moodgym.com.au/

• sam-app.org.uk/

• www.fearfighter.com/

• serene.me.uk/

Tolerating your anxiety Anxiety will always be with you. It is not possible to totally get rid of it, but you have some control over how you manage your response to it.

If you would like to talk to somebody, contact Student Services.

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Remember…

“Don’t bully yourself, be good to yourself and let the thought flow”

— Dr Emma Coonan(Emma directs and teaches on Cambridge University’s Research Skills Programme)

This and other ILS publications are also available in large print or in electronic format.

www.yorksj.ac.uk | E: ils@yorksj.ac.uk | T: 01904 876696

Need to contact us? You can do so in any of the following ways:

E: ils@yorksj.ac.ukT: 01904 876696

@YSJ_ILS

You can also visit us at Question Point on the ground floor of Fountains. Look out for further information on Twitter.