Fresh Starts and Academic Skills

A post by Digital Learning Developer Rebecca Jones

Blink and there’s another year gone by. But as we brace bitter winds, wait for the days to grow a little longer and for new life to bud, 2025 brings a chance for a fresh start.

Some of you might be taking advantage of this fresh start effect ^[1] – setting goals, downloading habit trackers and taking steps to form new routines. Perhaps you’ll commit to reading more consistently, promise to work on your time management or learn a new skill.

For others (myself included), the thought of making a New Year’s resolution might simply make you shudder. “No, thank you. I think I’ll pass this year” you mutter, while a small part of yourself fills with dread and prays that you can cling onto the few good study habits you’ve barely managed to form so far…

Regardless of your philosophical bend towards resolutions and wherever you are on your academic journey, here at Bill Bryson Library we have a range of bite-sized academic skills sessions to help you reach your goals and keep you moving in your studies. Whether you’re a first-year student navigating the library, new readings and sources for the first time or a postgraduate refining your research skills, these workshops are designed to meet you where you are and help you build confidence in your studies. Sessions are interactive, practical, and led by our friendly team of faculty librarians who understand the challenges of academic life.

Open to all students, in person and online, we offer sessions on a wide range of topics. From referencing, effective literature searching, avoiding plagiarism to Google Scholar hacks, critical reading and using AI – there’s something for everyone.

First up this term, we’ll be kicking off with Decolonising Research on the 16^th of January, where we’ll be exploring the coloniality of your subjects. In the following week, we’ll cover some of the core essentials such as Referencing and Using Discover. If you’re new to the library, why not attend, Your Library: A Flying Start? Tailored for each of the four faculties, these workshops provide a personalized introduction to library resources and strategies specific to different disciplines. Whether you’re studying Arts and Humanities, Sciences, Social Sciences, or Business, we have you covered with advice to hit the ground running.

 To view more upcoming sessions and book on to a workshop running this term, check out our ongoing support page.

So, whether you’re embracing a fresh start, still finding your feet or entering into your academic stride, the Bill Bryson Library is with you every step of the way.

Here’s to a studious, inspiring and rewarding 2025!

^[1] The Fresh Start Effect was first introduced by Dai, Milkman, and Riis (2014), whose research showed that people are more likely to make positive changes following temporal landmarks such as the New Year or a birthday.