As we’re slowly approaching the end of the semester you may find yourself stressed about all the deadlines for assignments and group projects. Especially if this is your first year at BCIT, you may feel a bit overwhelmed with the workload and may not be aware of all the help that is here for you on-campus.
In this article, I’ll try to guide you through the services that will enhance your intellectual wellbeing and will help you to perform better in your studying.
The first thing that comes in mind when talking about intellectual services at BCIT is the library. I’m sure all of you have been to the BCIT Library at least once (I hope more, ha-ha) but I want to note that compared to the public library, it has so much more to offer than just loaning books.
First of all, the library is a perfect place for you to study. You can find a silent place to study, or a table to study with your peers, or you can book a room for your team project. BCIT Library also gives you access to the online database which you can use when doing research for your project. If you have any questions about the database, feel free to consult with the librarians as they are here to help you.
Another resource that I just recently discovered, and that has helped me a lot with my industry project, is the interlibrary loans service. As a BCIT student, you can access this service online through the library website. Through it, you can get access to a report, research paper, or an article from any university library in BC! Here’s a link to the website where you can find more information: https://bbit.relais-host.com/user/login.html?group=patron&LS=BBIT
Another service available for you in the library is the Learning Commons. The Learning Commons provides free learning skills workshops (Exam Jam, Nov 19-23), peer tutoring, writing support and and online service called WriteAway. If you’re a first-year student and are struggling with a specific course and your professor’s office hours don’t work for your schedule, then make sure you take advantage of peer tutoring. Peer tutoring is located in the library and all the peer tutors are students who are willing to share their knowledge with you to help you excel in your studies. If you would rather have a personal tutor, this can also be arranged. While the group peer tutoring sessions are free of charge, individual tutoring will have a fee, but both can help you with your courses.
Similar to the Learning Commons there is the Trades Learning Centre, which provides free drop-in tutoring services to support trades students with study skills, as well as, math and science coursework.
If you are in a program that requires you to write a lot of reports and essays, then the writing centre in the library will definitely help you. You can get your paper checked and receive some advice on writing skills there.
This year, the library has also welcomed one more amazing service for students – MediaWorks. This is a place where you can get all the graphic design and media support you could possibly need. Want a nice-looking poster? MediaWorks can help. Having some struggles with graphic design for your project/assignment? MediaWorks can solve your problems. Want to create a masterpiece using 3D printer? MediaWorks has several 3D printers for you to use!
Last but not least, there is also audio visual (AV) services, which students can access to loan out equipment like projectors, laptops, cameras, tripods and more. So, if you need your presentation to be professionally recorded, don’t hesitate to go to AV Services to get a good camera and other needed equipment. This service is a bit hidden from students’ eyes and that’s why not a lot of students are aware of it. To find AV Services, you’ll have to go to the first floor in the SW3 building on the Burnaby Campus.
Hope this will give you a better idea of on-campus services that will help you to excel in your studies!