Silent Study: Floor 5 of The Sir Duncan Rice Library 21 November-16 December

Our returning students may recall that pre-pandemic, the Library responded to feedback for more quiet study space in the lead-up to and during exams by designating the whole of Floor 5 in The Sir Duncan Rice Library a Silent Study Space. 

During the 2022 exam period, Floor 5 of the Sir Duncan Rice Library will once again operate as a “silent” floor, from Monday 21 November until Friday 16 December 2022.

We ask that users observe the following rules on Floor 5:

  • No discussions, conversations or group study
  • No phone calls
  • Go to the stairwells to make or take phone calls, or hold conversations

We realise that noise travels through the building, so we will also provide free earplugs to anyone who wants them. These will be available for collection from the Welcome Desk, on the Ground Floor of the Library.

In addition to the Floor 5 Silent Study Space, our designated Silent Study rooms on Floors 3, 4, 5 and 6 on the south side of the building will operate as normal. Note that laptops are not allowed in the Silent Study room on Floor 6 (Room 624) – the only Silent Study Room where devices are not allowed.

Elsewhere in the building, we encourage all users to keep noise and conversations to a minimum. Library staff will be readily available throughout the Library to promote an environment conducive to study. Feedback and comments on the Floor 5 Silent Study Space will be very welcome.

If you require space for group discussion and collaborative working, have you considered booking a space across our different Libraries? See our website for further details.

Please note that cleaning and vacuuming will take place through the night on all floors, including Floor 5, and that we are unable to control the noise caused by our hand driers.

Did You Know…? – Managing exam stress

In this post we would like to make you aware of the services which are there to support you. The Student Channel also provides useful tips and advice on studying from home and to help you reduce exam stress.

More information:

Wishing all our students very best of luck with their exams. Please remember to contact Library staff if there is anything we can help with.

Revision Strategies and Exam Techniques

Are you making the best use of your time? What’s good to do in an exam? How do you make the most of your knowledge?

The Student Learning Service offers one-to-one sessions to help you with your revision and to discuss tips and hints for sitting exams.

To book an appointment for individual advice, please click this link and fill in the Appointment Request Form.

Maths Skills drop-in sessions are also currently running – to find out more about these sessions, email sls@abdn.ac.uk.

Please note that these sessions are not held in the Library.

Did you know about the Library’s collection of past exam papers?

With just a week until the start of the resit exam period, we would like to help you prepare for your exams by reminding you about the Library’s large online collection of past exam papers.

classroom

You can search for past papers on Primo [http://primo.abdn.ac.uk/] or directly via DigiTool [https://digitool.abdn.ac.uk/R?RN=744382543], our digital materials database. As access to papers is restricted to University of Aberdeen members, you will be asked for your computer username and password. There are over 3,000 past exam papers in Word or PDF format covering undergraduate and postgraduate courses from across the University.
We do not have every past exam paper available, so if you cannot find an exam paper for a particular course, check with the School that delivers that course to see if they can provide copies of past exams.
For information on how to locate past papers in Primo, see the relevant library guide: http://www.abdn.ac.uk/library/documents/guides/qgdbs007.pdf
A further guide to using DigiTool is available here: http://www.abdn.ac.uk/library/documents/guides/qgdbs006.pdf
Don’t forget that library staff are always happy to help you locate any resources you may need in preparation for your exams. Please ask a member of staff if you need help!

Eleni Borompoka, eleni.boro@abdn.ac.uk

Did You Know…? – Managing exam stress

In this post we make you aware of the services which are there to support you. CluedUp provides the following advice to help you reduce exam stress.

More information:

Wishing all our students very best of luck with their exams. Remember to speak to a member of staff if you need help with anything.

Did you know about the Library’s collection of past exam papers?

With just a week until the start of the exam period, we would like to help you prepare for your exams by reminding you about the Library’s large online collection of past exam papers. 

classroom

You can search for past papers on Primo [http://primo.abdn.ac.uk/] or directly via DigiTool [https://digitool.abdn.ac.uk/R?RN=744382543], our digital materials database.  As access to papers is restricted to University of Aberdeen members, you will be asked for your computer username and password. There are over 3,000 past exam papers in Word or PDF format covering undergraduate and postgraduate courses from across the University.

We do not have every past exam paper available, so if you cannot find an exam paper for a particular course, check with the School that delivers that course to see if they can provide copies of past exams.

For information on how to locate past papers in Primo, see the relevant library guide: www.abdn.ac.uk/library/documents/guides/qgdbs007.pdf

A further guide to using DigiTool is available here: www.abdn.ac.uk/library/documents/guides/qgdbs006.pdf

Don’t forget that library staff are always happy to help you locate any resources you may need in preparation for your exams. Please ask a member of staff if you need help!

Revision Strategies and Exam Techniques: come to a session

Are you making the best use of your time? What’s good to do in an exam? How do you make the most of your knowledge?

The Student Learning Service offers sessions to help you with your revision and to discuss tips and hints for sitting exams.

To find out more about these sessions and book a place today, visit: www.abdn.ac.uk/coursebooking  and change the category to ‘Student Learning Service’.

Please note that these sessions are not held in the Library.

 

Need help with maths before the exams? Come to a drop-in session at The Sir Duncan Rice Library

Dr Morgiane Richard of the University’s Student Learning Service (SLS) will be holding Maths drop-in sessions in The Sir Duncan Rice Library this week, to help with any mathematics issues you may have, before the next exam period starts on April 28.

You will be able to find her on Floor 5 of the library, room 506. There is no need to book, just drop in with your questions.

Dr Richard will be available at the following times:

  • Wednesday 25 April, 12:00 – 14:00
  • Thursday 26 April, 12:00 – 14:00
  • Friday 27 April, 12:00 – 14:00

Please contact Dr Morgiane Richard if you have any further questions: m.richard@abdn.ac.uk

Exam Revision: finding silent study spaces in our libraries

Across our three libraries our silent study rooms are popular places to study, and they prove even more popular as the exams approach. See below for help in locating these silent study spaces at this important time, and remember that you can speak with library staff if you are being disturbed by others while you study.

The Sir Duncan Rice Library

There are a range of study spaces across this library, including silent ones. Many of our silent study spaces have recently had power sockets and USB charging points installed, meaning that you can now study in silence and still use your laptops and other electronic devices. We still ask that you do not eat in any of the silent rooms as that can be a great distraction to others. For full details of our silent study spaces see below:

  • Floor 1 – south west corner (overlooking Bedford Road). Room 124. No power sockets. Forty two study spaces.
  • Floor 3, 4 and 5 – south east corner (overlooking Meston Building). Rooms 312, 412 and 512. Power sockets on each study desk. Twenty study spaces per room.
  • Floor 3, 4 and 5 – south west corner (overlooking Bedford Road). Rooms 324, 424 and 524. Power sockets and USB charging points assigned to each study desk. Twenty study spaces per room.
  • Floor 6 – south west corner (overlooking Bedford Road). Room 624. No power sockets. Twenty study spaces. This space is designated a “no devices” location throughout the year to support those who wish to study in this way.

Medical Library

The whole top floor of the Medical Library is designated as silent study space. You are permitted to use laptops and other electronic devices in that area.

Taylor Library

You will find the silent study areas within the Taylor Library in the D Block sections. There are silent areas on both floors of D Block, with different rules around laptop use in different areas. Each desk is clearly marked, to let you know whether or not you can use latops or other electronic devices.

Good luck to everyone with their exams!

Looking for somewhere quiet to study?

It’s that time again when The Sir Duncan Rice Library is really busy. We know that everyone has their own favourite way to study, and for many of you this means using a laptop or tablet.

During this busy exam period electronic devices may be used in all except one of the Strictly Silent areas. If you prefer a “no electronic device” area then head for Room 624 on Floor 6 (south west corner of the building).

Please speak with library staff on the floors if there are any difficulties. Good luck with your exams…

Alison & Vivien (Subject & Enquiry team)