Student Sucess at Touro: Transitioning to College

Your high school library:

• The library probably was one room with one librarian, and maybe a few student assistants
• The librarian had general knowledge of many subjects
• Visiting the library was usually with your class and teacher
• Help was available during certain hours and opening hours were limited to the regular school hours
• Online resources were probably limited to a small number of general subject databases
• Google may have been your primary research source

​The Touro Libraries:

• Touro has libraries at all campuses across New York City
• There is a team of professional librarians, support staff, and student assistants
• The opportunity to consult one-to-one with a professional librarian who has strong knowledge and subject specialization
• Research help is available in-person or online seven days a week.
• There are dozens of online subject-specific and scholarly databases, of which almost all are available via remote access with your TouroOne log-in
• If the library doesn't own a book or have an article you need, Interlibrary Loan can get this for you from another library without charge

Changes you may experience:

• Google and Wikipedia will no longer be your main ways of researching and learning (though they aren't all bad!)
• You must prove that you read the sources by providing correct citations — plagiarism is a serious offense in the college
• You will be responsible for your own education: completing assignments, attending class, managing studying time, and keeping up with work are now on your shoulders
• Help may not come your way unless you ask for it (so ask for it! There is a lot of help available)
• Library research has different expectations and can be more complicated, but it can also be much more rewarding

Adapted with permission from "First Year Students: Transitioning to Higher Education," Bristol Community College

• College libraries are different from high school libraries and public libraries, and for some, they can be confusing and intimidating. Become familiar with the library as soon as you can, both by visiting in-person and online.
• Research is detailed, not difficult. Manage a research assignment in the same way you would manage any project: know what to do, have a plan, and follow the plan — and ask a librarian for help!
• Not everything can be found with a quick Google search. You will have to be your own detective when you search and discover information, but the TC Libraries have a wide selection of academic, scholarly databases to make your search rewarding.
• Start working on assignments as soon as you get them. This is a time management skill; working on your paper every day, beginning with the day you receive the assignment, will allow you to keep going, remain focused, and very possibly even finish early.
• Ask for help when you need it, and ask for help even if you don't think you need help. The librarians and library staff are waiting for you to ask — that is why we are here!
• Use the For Students library guide for help with all stages of research and writing
• Always get more than the minimum number of sources required. Sometimes, as you are writing a paper, you may discover that sources don't work out as planned. Be prepared to have additional sources that you can use instead, rather than having to begin searching all over again, and keep track of your sources with a tool like RefWorks, which you have access to for free through the Libraries.
• Don't plagiarize; learn how to cite, and know which style is required for your paper. Instructors have ways of quickly determining that papers contain plagiarized statement and sections. An F grade is not worth the risk of using plagiarized material.

Adapted with permission from "First Year Students: Transitioning to Higher Education," Bristol Community College