Transition can be defined as “the process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another” (Oxford English Dictionary). If you are continuing to study at CCCU next academic year then you may expect much of your university experience to remain the same, but you should also anticipate some changes and challenges, and you can start preparing for these now – with a little help from the library!

In academic terms you will be moving up to the next level, whether from Foundation to Undergraduate degree, within your degree to Year 2 or 3, or from Undergraduate to Postgraduate study. This change may bring new expectations of how you are going to study and perhaps you are feeling more anxiety and pressure to do well or are excited about the opportunities. The library can support you at every stage as you consider how to approach this next level.

“Engage with the feedback that you have received this year”

A positive starting point is to engage with the feedback that you have received this year. Look at your assessment marks and read the feedback and suggestions from your tutors to identify academic skills that you want to focus on developing. For example, you may want to think about how to be more critical in your writing, or to learn how to reference more accurately, or to consider how to use more academic sources. You may want to enhance your notetaking skills, or to think about ways to improve your time-management. The Learning Skills Module on Engaging with Feedback can help you to reflect and plan for the next stage.

You can also browse through all the Learning Skills Hub modules to identify any that may be appropriate for you at this stage – and don’t forget all the books about study skills that you can find on the library shelves and as e-books.

Learning Skills Hub webpage

“Reconnect with the library next academic year”

Reconnect with the library next academic year. If you haven’t visited the campus libraries for a while, then remind yourself of what they have to offer. Take advantage of all the spaces, resources and services that are here to support you.

Screenshot taken from Library Services homepage

To encourage effective working you can choose your own study space to work in, whether that is the silent area or individual study pods in Augustine House where you can concentrate on individual work, or the collaborative zones for discussion and group work. You might find it easier to concentrate and work well in the academic library environment – working alongside other students can help you get into the right mindset. Check out the new postgraduate working zone and the sensory room in Augustine House, and the Family room in the Drill Hall Library.

Floor sign located outside the lifts on Ground Floor.

“Explore library resources for your subject area”

Moving up a level may require you to do more independent research, often searching for literature beyond your given reading lists and starting to research your own topics, perhaps for a project or dissertation. Explore library resources for your subject area. A good starting point is to consult your own Library Subject Guide which contains recommended journals and online databases, as well as other resources.

Did you know that via LibrarySearch you can access an online database that is just about research methods? Or that there is an online tool that you can use to save and manage your references? This could be a good time to explore LibrarySearch and discover resources that you may not have used before. You can also use the free library Document Delivery Service to request books and articles from other libraries.

LibrarySearch on PC screen at Augustine House.

If you are starting a postgraduate course then you may want to review the dedicated Learning Skills Hub Modules for Postgraduates And if you are leaving CCCU then you are not forgotten! The Life After University modules will help you apply your skills after completing a course, and you can apply for free alumni membership to be able to continue visiting the library and borrowing resources.

“The dedicated Learning Skills Team of Librarians and Learning Developers work closely with your subject tutors to support your academic skills development“

Library staff are here to help and support you in the campus libraries and remotely so please do ask for help and contact us with any enquiries, and use the feedback form on the library website to send suggestions and constructive feedback. The dedicated Learning Skills Team of Librarians and Learning Developers work closely with your subject tutors to support your academic skills development. You may see them in your teaching sessions and can also make 1-2-1 tutorial appointments to meet in-person or online. Just select “Book an appointment with the Learning Skills Team” from the Learning Skills Hub and don’t be afraid to ask for help and advice.

If you are anxious about pressures of workload or doing more challenging work next year, then the library can also offer you respite and relaxation. It is important to remember your own wellbeing and take some time for yourself, so take regular breaks whilst working and visit the café. The stressless area on Floor 2 in Augustine House has lots of mindful activities, games and books when you need to take a study break and look out for the scheduled activities in this space.

Just some of the games in the StressLess area.

Transition may not always be easy, but taking some time to reflect and plan now about what you can do to equip yourself with skills and knowledge is time well spent, then you can look forward to next year with confidence.

Written by Catherine Sherwood. Learning and Research Librarian. June 2025.

Title image taken from People Girls Women – Free photo on Pixabay  StockSnap – Pixabay 

Content License – Pixabay