Category: Help & advice

The library: exam season survival starts here!

WordPress User [nrb] Exams, Help & advice, Revision

It’s that time again. You know the one. The countdown is on, the library is filling up, and suddenly everyone’s talking about revision and exams. We’ve all been there, and while exams aren’t exactly anyone’s favourite, they’re also your chance to show off everything you’ve learned this year.

Take a breath. You’ve got this — and support is available right here in the library.

Revision, but make it work for you

There’s no “one-size-fits-all” when it comes to revising. Some people swear by colour-coded notes and flash cards, others need background music, and some just want total silence and a strong coffee. The good news? There’s loads of support in the library to help you figure out what works best for you.

Ready, Steady, Revise with AberSkills

Check out the AberSkills site – it has a whole Revision and Exams section packed with:

  • Practical guidance on how to revise effectively including where to find past papers
  • Different revision methods to try (beyond just re-reading notes)
  • Top tips and advice from your peers who’ve been through it already

Whether you’re cramming, planning weeks ahead, or somewhere in between, it’s a solid place to start.

Back to the reading list

Now’s a good time to re‑acquaint yourself with your module reading list. You don’t need to read everything cover to cover — think of it as a refresh rather than a restart.

Revisiting key texts can help you:

  • Fill in gaps in your understanding
  • Reconnect lecture topics with core readings
  • Strengthen your confidence when revising tricky areas

Use your reading list to focus on essential chapters or sections linked to exam topics, and dip back into recommended texts for clarification or examples. The library has copies available so you can revisit the material whenever it suits your revision routine. You can find everything easily through the Aspire reading lists and Primo, the library catalogue, to check availability, access online texts, your borrowing history, or locate items on the shelves.

Effective Study Collection

Not sure how to revise, not just what to revise? The Library’s Effective Study Collection has your back.

This print and online collection is packed with revision and study skills books designed to help you study smarter. Whether you’re looking for quick tips or a full revision strategy overhaul, these books are perfect for dipping into when you need extra guidance. Ideal for brushing up on skills, boosting confidence, or trying a new approach to studying. Have a browse next time you’re in – you’ll find the collection on Level F, opposite the lift in the Hugh Owen Library, and opposite the Enquiry Desk in the Physical Sciences Library.

Find Your Perfect Study Spot

It’s all about location, location, location! If you need quiet focus time, the Hugh Owen Library,and the Physical Sciences Library on campus, as well as The Workstation in town have plenty of quiet study spaces designed for revision.

Night owl? Early‑morning crammer? Somewhere in between?
Revision doesn’t keep office hours — and neither does the library. During the exam and revision period, all floors of the Hugh Owen Library are open 24/7 so you can dip into a book, double‑check a reference, or squeeze in some last‑minute revision whenever motivation strikes. And if you’re studying after core hours and fancy revising at 2am, just make sure you’ve got your Aber Card to get in and out of the Hugh Owen Library.

Exams are challenging – there’s no denying it – but when you step back, just remember that they are just one part of your university journey. Be kind to yourself, take breaks, eat actual meals (not just snacks), and get some sleep. Making the most of the revision support and study spaces available in the library can really help you stay on track.

You’ve learned a lot — now’s the time to bring it all together.

Good luck!

It’s Shwmae Su’mae Day!

WordPress User [abc27] Help & advice, Learning

Having fun while speaking Welsh is the theme of this year’s Shwmae Su’mae campaign led by Mentrau Iaith Cymru.  The event, which takes place annually on 15 October, is a national celebration of the Welsh language, wherever you live and whatever your level.

Whilst you’re here at Aberystwyth University, why not take advantage of some of the many special opportunities and resources available for learning Welsh?

Welsh courses delivered by Learn Welsh are free for Aberystwyth University students and staff. Find more information here: https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/learn-welsh/

selection of book covers available in the library for welsh learners

To support your learning, the library has many thousands of Welsh-language resources for Welsh learners and speakers in our Celtic Collection. Here’s just a selection of what’s available on the library shelves.

From contemporary and classic fiction, poetry, to language and Welsh culture and history – find the entire Celtic Collection on Level F of the Hugh Owen Library. And search Primo, the library catalogue to find what you need.

We also have many Welsh-speaking or learning members of staff who can be identified by their orange lanyards. Felly rhowch gynnig ar siarad Cymraeg heddiw!

The first Shwmae Su’mae Day was held on 15 October, 2013 to promote the idea of starting every conversation in Welsh.  The aim of the day is to show that Welsh belongs to everyone – fluent speakers, learners and those who feel their linguistic skills are a little rusty.

Misinformation (and Bunnies!)

WordPress User [sif4] Help & advice, Information Skills, Learning

Do you remember that night-vision camera footage that was making the rounds on social media recently, the one showing a gang of bunnies bouncing around on a trampoline? It was brilliant, wasn’t it?

The only problem? It was fake (as is this picture!)

Whilst the bunny bouncing footage was just a bit of fun and was (to quote the late, great Douglas Adams) mostly harmless, it does highlight how convincing AI-generated videos can be, and how quickly they can spread across the world. Remember, while Mark Twain almost certainly didn’t say, “A lie can travel around the world before the truth has got its boots on,” it’s still a great quote (and yes, there’s a certain irony in using a misattributed line in a blog about misinformation, but that just goes to show how careful we all need to be with what we read online). The sentiment still hits home, especially in an age where AI-generated content can spread faster than ever and look alarmingly real.

The bunny footage is a fun example, but it raises a serious point: in a world where anyone can create realistic-looking content with a few clicks, how do you know what’s real and what’s not? And what does this mean for you as a student, especially when you’re researching, writing assignments, or just scrolling through your feed?

Here’s where your library can really make a difference.

Navigating the world of AI-generated content and misinformation can feel like an almost impossible task, but you don’t have to do it alone. The library is here to offer support. Whether you’re working on an assignment, preparing a presentation, or just trying to make sense of what’s real and what’s not online, library staff can help you develop the critical skills needed to evaluate information effectively.

To help you navigate all this, we’ve put together a dedicated AI Literacy Course, which you’ll find in your Organisations section on Blackboard. We’ve also created a handy guide on spotting fake news and misinformation. Another guide explains how AI tools work and how to evaluate information using the brilliantly named CRAAP test, useful whether you’re using books, search engines, or AI tools.

All these online resources are designed to help you become a more confident and discerning researcher. And remember, if you’re ever unsure about how reliable something is, or just want a second opinion, you can always ask us for advice. We’re here to help.

Hwyl fawr Lloyd Roderick

WordPress User [abc27] Help & advice, Information Skills, Learning, Referencing, Research, Teaching

Congratulations and hwyl fawr to Lloyd Roderick who is taking up a new role at the National Library of Wales after ten years of sterling service in the Academic Engagement team.

Prior to joining us, Lloyd had achieved a PhD in Fine Art at Aberystwyth and gained wide-ranging experience in the sector, working at the Advanced Institute of Legal Studies, the Courtauld Library and Newport public libraries amongst others. As Subject Librarian for Art, History & Welsh History, Law & Criminology and Welsh & Celtic Studies, Lloyd has forged excellent relationships between the University Library and academic departments and will be much missed by all who have worked with him across the University. He has been an excellent team player, a prolific teacher of information skills and has brought strong subject knowledge to his responsibilities.

One legacy he leaves for the Academic Engagement team is the midday Friday “guess the library occupancy” quiz – no prizes, it’s just for fun!  We’ll keep it going in your honour Lloyd 🙂 

Good luck in your new job from all of us. We’re glad you’re not going far and look forward to seeing you again soon.