This way, you save time and can access books earlier than others. Investigate the possibilities Of other university libraries. You may be able to borrow, and you can certainly read, photocopy and study in these places. This may prove a useful strategy when there is pressure on resources for a particular assignment. Always record the publication details of any source you read in your notes, even if you don’t use it immediately in an assignment. Include the call number, title, name of the author, date and page numbers.
Such a practice is invaluable when you need to access that information later. Learn the art of correct quotation, citation and bibliography (references) as early as possible. Learn how to copy any direct quotations accurately, but even more importantly, how to write information or ideas obtained from other sources in your own words. Before starting to work on an assignment, check that you understand the faculty and/or departmental requirements for the assignment.
Don’t depend on your textbooks as your sole source of information when rating an assignment, as they often represent fairly generalized ideas about the subject matter of your field. Be careful too of books or journals over 5 years old, especially in rapidly changing fields such as computing. The most current information can usually be found in recent academic journals. On the other hand, this advice is not meant to dissuade you from reading older, classic texts in your discipline.
Take care when using newspapers as a resource – journalistic expression is to the same as academic writing, and newspapers often ‘ promote’ in the guise Of disinterested information. This is particularly true Of materials accompanying a new product/idea/technology. Finally, if you are not good at referring to a diary, make sure you have a list of dates for all assignments in a very visible location at home – on the wall above your desk, beside your bed, anywhere clearly visible in your room. Remember, assignments are often due at the same time. Forward planning is essential.
