My New Bestfriend... soon to be your's too!

So I was working on my essay the other day (just finished it actually-yay!) and although I have never been one to look at all the resources the library has to offer, I luckily did a few days ago because I discovered my new best friend... RefWorks!

RefWorks is a website that actually helps you make your citation and works cited! You can even "transfer" books from the library onto the website and it will make a works cited page for you using those books!!  I had no idea this website existed, and as someone who is really bad at doing citation, and bibliography's you can imagine how happy I was to discover it (right away, I was like "gotta share this on my blog").

So here I am... sharing it... on my blog! Check it out! For real, it is one of the most useful website's I have ever found for helping with essays! 

It is a very exclusive website that the University pays for, so to access it you have to log-in through the York Library website! 

GOOD LUCK WITH THOSE ESSAYS EVERYONE!

Until Next Time, I'll be Yorking Around, 

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BEEP BEEP... CARPOOLER COMING THROUGH!

Driving. It can be sad, lonely, expensive, and boring. Why not share those 30 + minutes in a car with someone?

That's right... CARPOOL!

Not sure who to carpool with? 

Did you know that SmartCommute can match you up with someone in your area to carpool with? Register on their Car Pool Zone Registration and it will show people in your area who also drive to York! 

You can split on gas, have someone to talk to on the drive, and make a new friend! :)

Even better...

PRIORITY PARKING! 

That's right... PRIORITY PARKING for those who carpool. This is a brand new feature that has been put in place thanks to SmartCommute, and I actually got to attend the grand unrevealing last week! 

It's a great advantage because you get to park a little closer than everyone else just for carpooling!

In order to get sweet priority parking, check out the priority parking page of the SmartCommute website! You should all check out it because it's really worth it!

The Carpool Priority Parking spot sign! ( I got creative
with my photography in case you couldn't tell!)

Other staff and students who attended the revealing as well!

If you want more information on carpooling, or about "smart commuting" in general check out the Smart Commute website. They have tons of information about busing, driving, biking, etc!

Until Next Time, I'll be Yorking Around,

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York's Very Own Observatory!

Look up! At the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... stars and planets seen from our very own observatory!

York Observatory

Did you know? York University has an observatory right on the Keele campus?!

It's pretty cool. The York Observatory was built in 1968 primarily for Astronomy students to allow them to determine solar rotation periods, classify galaxies, and complete other observatory projects. Just because it was built for astronomy students though, doesn't mean other students and staff can't take advantage of it! :)

The Observatory hosts a public viewing every Wednesday night from 7:30-9:30pm (date idea right here.. you're welcome). This public viewing is open to literally anyone (regardless if they are a part of the York community) and you get to observe space through the telescopes, check out hands on presentations, and talk to the staff who know a thing or two about our planets. Best of all... it's FREE! 

Here are some of the sights you'll get to see with your very own eyes: 

         

The great Orion Nebula

Andromeda Galaxy

So whether you've got nothing planned on a Wednesday night, or you want to take someone special on a first date, go out and check the Observatory! I know I will definitely be checking it out this month! For more info check out the observatory website.

Until Next Time, I'll be Yorking Around,  

                 

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Essays are due soon... HELP!?

So. It's already October people... OCTOBER! What does this mean...
1. Time at university FLIES by!
2. Monday we have no classes because it's Thanksgiving (long weekend-yay!)
3. I'm going to eat a lot of food on Monday
Lastly...

4. ESSAYS ARE DUE SOON!

Essay's are a little different in university than they are in high school. The required length is usually longer, the consequences of plagiarism are much more serious, and your Professors are expecting more from you than your high school teacher's did.

Don't sweat it though... your not alone. We have an awesome service on campus called the Writing Centre.

One particular thing the writing centre offers is one-on-one sessions, where you can actually get someone to help you with citation, research, proofreading, or even starting off that dreaded essay! It's a FREE service, you just got to make sure you register with them so they can match you to a tutor that will meet your needs!

Once you are registered with them, you can make hour long appointments which is great because it gives a substantial amount of time for you to spend with your tutor. An hour isn't long enough for your essay? You can make multiple appointments for one essay!!!

Do me a favor and take advantage of the writing centre! You have absolutely nothing to lose, and higher marks to gain! :)

Writing Centre
S329 Ross Building
416-736-5134
lapswrit@yorku.ca


Until Next Time, I'll be Yorking Around,

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FREE WORKSHOPS (to help you do fantastical in university)!

First off... YES! Fantastical IS a word!

Second... did you know York University offers a TON of FREE academic workshops? From citation, to research, to writing an essay... there is a great deal amount of help out there for you )contrally to popular belief, you are NOT alone)! Since were already in our second week of school (I know, I know... time goes by FAST!) I thought I would share with you all some upcoming workshops here at York University!

Library Workshop for Undergraduate Students: Provides information on how to do proper research, using the library resources!

September 17, 10:00am-11:30am
September 20, 10:00am-11:30am
September 26, 2pm-3:30pm

LOCATION: 531 Scott Library

Citing and Referencing Workshop at Scott Library:  Learn about proper citing and referencing, and get some practice in this hands-on workshop. Emphasis will be placed on MLA and APA.

October 2, 3:00pm-4:30pm
October 12, 11:00am-12:30am
October 18, 2:00pm-3:30pm

LOCATION: 531 Scott Library

Effective Editing: You will learn to assess content, correct common errors and proofread your work for accuracy!

September 25, 3:00pm-4:30pm

LOCATION: SMIL Library

Essays Made Easy: You will learn how to develop a well-considered thesis statement, and how to use evidence effectively to support your position. You will also discover the difference between summary and analysis, and see how they interact within an essay to provide a logical, coherent argument.

September 27, 1:00pm-2:30pm

LOCATION: SMIL Library



Now these are only a few of the MANY workshops out there to help you with university! Some of the departments at York University that offer free academic workshops are Scott Library, Writing Centre, Counselling and Disability Services, among others!

I highly recommend each and everyone of you to attend at least one of these workshops because you have nothing to loose, and you will gain a lot of useful information! In fact, you will probably find me attending a few of these, even though I`m going into my fourth year (never too old to learn, right?).

Lastly, if your not sure about the location of one of these workshops, you cal always stop by the RED Zone, tweet (@yorksredzone, or e-mail (redzone@yorku.ca). 

GOODLUCK with your first tests, quizzes, exams, essays, presentations, and assignments! :) 

Until Next Time, I'll be Yorking Around,

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