Today we have a guest blog written by Shannon Griffin who is a peer helper at Learning Services. She is going to give us a bit of background about the services offered by Learning Services. Learning Services is a service that is run out of the library that provides assistance and support to students who want to improve their skills to achieve their intellectual potential. It is an incredible resource on campus that can help students, no matter if they are struggling with how to study effectively, procrastination or how to take notes in class. Enjoy!

My name is Shannon and I am a Learning Services Peer Helper at the University of Guelph Library.  I would like to share some information with you about a great academic resource that is available to your family member here at the University.

The academic transition from high school to university is a major one. First year class sizes can be quite large which can be intimidating. This less intimate school setting can be a big adjustment, and one that many students find challenging. The decrease in schedule structure of university life and introduction to the lecture-style of learningcan lead to struggles in finding effective time management strategies and study techniques.  Recognizing that this is something that needs to be worked on and seeking help early on in their university career can be extremely beneficial for students moving forward.

Learning Services is here to help!  We run workshops for students on developing good time management habits, preparing for exams, and learning effectively from texts and lectures.   Some of these workshops are general while others are course or program specific. Additionally, if students feel like they would like a little more support, we provide one-on-one consultations with peer helpers. These help students to identify what they need to work on and how to use different tools to meet their specific academic needs.

Workshops and consultations are run by Learning Services Peer Helpers (like me!), upper year students with extensive training on effective university learning.  We love meeting with new students and helping to facilitate their academic success!

Learning Services is located on the first floor of McLaughlin Library.  More information on workshops and consultations, as well as a variety of online resources can be found on our website.

If you feel like your loved one is in need of some academic support or guidance send them our way.  We are always here to help!

Thank you for your time!