Reflections...

The past 10 weeks have been wonderful on this course! A reflective blog entry was in order :)

Coming to university with an empty mind proved to be a challenge. Knowing nothing about how: school or university worked, to be in a classroom, to be taught; having amnesia was a big hurdle to cross. 

Positive Experiences? 

Upon arriving here at Oxford Brookes University, I learnt how to relax and go with the flow. The teachers and my classmates have both proved to be wonderful and have added to my experience. I've had nothing but positive experiences here.

Challenges I have faced

The biggest problem I have probably faced was trying to keep up with everyone in the class and trying to keep my disability hidden as much as I could. Reading everyday so as to not sound or seem 'dumb' in front of my peers proved to be more taxing than I had imagined. 

Surprises!

I've learnt that I'm quite good at essay writing! This was a major surprise to me as this was what I had anticipated to be my major fault, however I have proved myself wrong and my confidence in essay writing has risen considerably. 

New understandings? 

Unlike many people on the course, I understand something new everyday.
~ How to interact with other people from different backgrounds,
~ How to put my views on an issue across.

Expectations 

It's only human nature to expect a great deal of something before experiencing it first hand. I for one have been taught to not expect too much so the feeling of disappointment will not be as strong as one with high expectations when something fails. However, all my expectations have been met! Not once have I felt disappointed. The teachers have been extremely warm and welcoming, with an enthusiasm for teaching which inspires me to learn and to make them proud as well as myself and my family. My classmates have been nothing but friendly and fun which helped me to settle down sooner than I expected.  

Changes 

Since starting University a few weeks back, I have grown as a person. I have started thinking more globally as well as critically; this was only achieved due to the plain fact that I was surrounded by many cultures, opinions and ideas. I have learnt to take other peoples opinions into accounts, analyse them then make a statement whether I agree or disagree without coming off rude or ignorant. 

I have definitely changed the way I learn. I have always been an independent learner, but I was introduced to group work here at Oxford Brookes University which I have thoroughly enjoyed. Hearing other views have really shaped the way I know look at learning. 

Carrying forward skills onto the next semester

I'll carry the following skills forward to the next semester:
~ Essay writing skills - knowing how to reference properly as well as the organisation of writing an essay from brainstorming right up to the final draft.
~ Presentation skills - being confident in front of an audience and knowing how to command a room.
~Debating skills - being able to thinking quickly on my feet.
~Being able to think critically and analytically at the same time.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time on this orientation experience, it has been extremely helpful in all aspects and I am ecstatic that I was able to take this course before starting my undergraduate study.

Jaymi

Welcome to the Library!

Welcome to the Library! The Oxford Brookes University hosts amazing library facilities (with great signs to help lost/confused students!) for all of their students to use to help aid their studies. In the library, one can find books, journals and newspapers, which are organised under the Dewey Decimal Classification System.

What is the Dewey Decimal Classification System?

Above: How the shelf numbers look like
Below: Found a Book on Marketing through the Dewey Decimal Classification System

The Dewey decimal classification if basically a system that is used by librarians where they classify non-fictional publications (such as academic books, journals, newspapers etc.) into categories according to their subjects. The subject has its own three digit numeral and any sub-topics within this subject are given by numerals following a decimal point. These books or 'publications' are then shelved by number.

This system may seem daunting at first, BUT, once one gets used to it, it is such a breeze to find any type of publication that you're looking for. Also, another way of looking for a book is through the online library catalogue which is found on the Brookes Website.

How to Find a book using the Online Library Catalogue

Here is a small guide on how to use the Catalogue to find any book you're looking for. I'll use the example of how I found the book in the above picture.

Step 1 - Go to the Brookes Website.
Step 2 - Scroll down and click on 'Library' as indicated in the picture.
Step 3 - The page that comes up is the Library Catalogue (Woohoo! Wasn't so hard to get here!)
Step 4 - Type in key words of what type of book you are looking for. Make sure that you type in only the key words in order to narrow down your search. It would be much easier to sift through 20 books than 12 000 books for example.
Step 5 - This is the results page of all the books that come under the key words you had typed in catalogue.
Step 6 - Identify which book you think seems most appealing to you and could potentially aid you in your assignment.
Step 7 - Click on the link as shown in the picture.
Step 8 - The book will then come up, including a description of the book, whether it is available, which campus library the book can be found and the shelf number. Right now, we're only interested in the shelf number (You can click on 'Reserve' and the librarian will keep the book aside for you to pick up, and if this book is at another campus library, this will also allow it to be brought to the campus library of your choice)
Step 9 - This is the shelf number of the book. The shelf it will be found on is '658' and the sub-topic of marketing is shown by the decimal places 658.827

If you try to get into a database when you're not using one of the library's computers, it's easy to access it from your own. All you have to do is use the "ATHENS LOGIN" (shown below)

Step 1: Go to the Library Catalogue and click on the Athens Login which is indicated in red (It's so prominent it really can't be missed)
Step 2: Type in your Oxford Brookes University ID and your Portal Password
Step 3: You're now signed into Athens! Enjoy surfing the online library :)

Subject Librarians

As well as the main librarians, Oxford Brookes also hosts a wide number of subject librarians.
What are subject librarians you may ask? They are proactive in establishing effective communications with the designated subject areas (basically, their subject of expertise), identifying and responding to students information needs as well as aiding students in finding sources they're having difficulties in finding. They also help students understand how to reference their essays properly (so as to avoid plagiarism).

How to find them? You could either:
1) Enquire about him/her at the help desk; or
2) Look on the Library site who your subject librarian is and where in the library you can find them.

The Facilities

The library hosts a number of facilities for students to use. There is obviously the normal books which are on a medium - long term loan (2 weeks - 2 months) and there are books which are on a short-term loan, meaning these books can only be taken out for 4 hours before having to be be returned.

- There are also group meeting areas (which can be booked in advance) and used for either study session or group meetings for assignments.
-There are quiet areas where students can work without being disturbed.
-Many study spaces on each floor.


Challenges I faced

When I first walked into the library, I was overwhelmed by the size of the library! It was a monstrosity compared to the one I was used to in high school. The rooms, floors and facilities confused me; and for a while I avoided the library like the plague for fear of looking 'silly' in front of my peers.
All this changed when I forced myself to go to the library because I had no choice, I had an assignment coming up and I was in desperate need for sources!
I managed to figure the whole process out, of using the library catalogue and asking the subject librarian for help when needed. Now, I am extremely confident about using the library and the facilities it offers.
It's not so overwhelming once you try it out :)

I hope I have helped you now understand how to use the library and all that it offers!

Jaymi