It all starts with a question: Why didn’t anyone tell me any of this when I started?!
It all starts with a question: Why didn’t anyone tell me any of this when I started?!

Auuuguh!
Auuuguh!

My name’s Peter, this is Stacks & Facts, and I’ve got some tips to help you make
My name’s Peter, this is Stacks & Facts, and I’ve got some tips to help you make

the most of your university experience with a minimum of freaking out.
the most of your university experience with a minimum of freaking out.

[intro music]
[intro music]

So first of all, congratulations -- going to college is a big deal!
So first of all, congratulations -- going to college is a big deal!

Yeah, it’s gonna be hard -- but it’s also gonna set you up for success in whatever you
Yeah, it’s gonna be hard -- but it’s also gonna set you up for success in whatever you

decide to do with your life, even if you aren’t sure what that is right now.
decide to do with your life, even if you aren’t sure what that is right now.

Which, by the way, is totally fine!
Which, by the way, is totally fine!

Nobody really knows what they're gonna do with their lives,
Nobody really knows what they're gonna do with their lives,

You’re doin’ okay.
You’re doin’ okay.

But! just because college is hard, doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do to make
But! just because college is hard, doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do to make

it easier!
it easier!

So I wanted to share some things with you that I wish someone had told me before I started
So I wanted to share some things with you that I wish someone had told me before I started

my undergrad, and eventually my masters.
my undergrad, and eventually my masters.

They would’ve saved me all kinds of trouble, so I’m passing them to you.
They would’ve saved me all kinds of trouble, so I’m passing them to you.

Y’ready?
Y’ready?

Alright let's do this.
Alright let's do this.

What we expect university to be like, and how it actually ends up being, are two very
What we expect university to be like, and how it actually ends up being, are two very

different things.
different things.

And that's because what’s expected from us is different between high school and college.
And that's because what’s expected from us is different between high school and college.

Take writing, for example: while we learn the very basics of how to write a paper in
Take writing, for example: while we learn the very basics of how to write a paper in

high school (intro, body, conclusion), those are, truly, the *very basics*.
high school (intro, body, conclusion), those are, truly, the *very basics*.

In university, you’ll be held to a higher standard in your writing, or even different
In university, you’ll be held to a higher standard in your writing, or even different

styles depending on the field that you’re studying.
styles depending on the field that you’re studying.

But since a lot of your classes are going to be lectures, you and your 200 classmates
But since a lot of your classes are going to be lectures, you and your 200 classmates

might not get a lot of feedback from your professors or TA’s on how to do that.
might not get a lot of feedback from your professors or TA’s on how to do that.

Most universities know this, and offer workshops to help bring you up to speed.
Most universities know this, and offer workshops to help bring you up to speed.

They’re FREE, they’re a lot more personal, and they cover everything from academic skills
They’re FREE, they’re a lot more personal, and they cover everything from academic skills

like writing, presenting, and researching; to life skills like time management, interviewing
like writing, presenting, and researching; to life skills like time management, interviewing

well, and taking care of your health.
well, and taking care of your health.

Every school has different offerings, but it's worth starting your search at the library,
Every school has different offerings, but it's worth starting your search at the library,

which is home to many of the student support services that your school offers.
which is home to many of the student support services that your school offers.

And the cool thing about starting at the library is, if that's not where the things that you're
And the cool thing about starting at the library is, if that's not where the things that you're

looking for are, the librarian’ll help you find them.
looking for are, the librarian’ll help you find them.

When you're in college, sometimes it comes down to am I going to buy a textbook, or am
When you're in college, sometimes it comes down to am I going to buy a textbook, or am

I going to eat for a month?
I going to eat for a month?

I hate that this is a decision people have to make, SO MUCH!
I hate that this is a decision people have to make, SO MUCH!

It's... Criminal.
It's... Criminal.

But to cope with this, look for classes that use open textbooks in their curriculum.
But to cope with this, look for classes that use open textbooks in their curriculum.

These are published for free online, or printed at very low cost, so that you don't have to
These are published for free online, or printed at very low cost, so that you don't have to

decide that it's going to be ramen for dinner every day for the next four years.
decide that it's going to be ramen for dinner every day for the next four years.

Email the library and ask if they have a list of courses or professors that use them.
Email the library and ask if they have a list of courses or professors that use them.

You can also use what’s known as the inter-library loan, or ILL system.
You can also use what’s known as the inter-library loan, or ILL system.

Basically, you tell your library “I’m looking for a copy of this book,” and then
Basically, you tell your library “I’m looking for a copy of this book,” and then

they’ll go and borrow it from another institution to loan to you, as if it were one of theirs.
they’ll go and borrow it from another institution to loan to you, as if it were one of theirs.

It’s free, and can be done online about as easily you can order a textbook off of amazon.
It’s free, and can be done online about as easily you can order a textbook off of amazon.

So… that's pretty sweet, right?
So… that's pretty sweet, right?

Living in the dorms can be super fun, with lots of parties and new experiences and things
Living in the dorms can be super fun, with lots of parties and new experiences and things

that you might not have done or consumed before.
that you might not have done or consumed before.

And so, when things get a little hectic, getting out of your dorm to study or be otherwise
And so, when things get a little hectic, getting out of your dorm to study or be otherwise

productive is a super important habit to build early on in your academic career.
productive is a super important habit to build early on in your academic career.

You can of course go to any old space in the library -- that’s what most people do.
You can of course go to any old space in the library -- that’s what most people do.

But if you want some variety, you might also want to check out your library’s Rare Books
But if you want some variety, you might also want to check out your library’s Rare Books

and Special Collections space: they’re beautiful, quiet, and never as crowded as the rest of
and Special Collections space: they’re beautiful, quiet, and never as crowded as the rest of

the library.
the library.

This is going to serve you well, especially during midterms and finals week.
This is going to serve you well, especially during midterms and finals week.

Trust me on this... it gets... it gets messy.
Trust me on this... it gets... it gets messy.

Your laptop is probably going to die.
Your laptop is probably going to die.

That’s just how things seem to pan out.
That’s just how things seem to pan out.

Maybe you drop it, or maybe you visited one too many websites of ill repute (no judgment!),
Maybe you drop it, or maybe you visited one too many websites of ill repute (no judgment!),

but at some point it’s gonna happen.
but at some point it’s gonna happen.

With a little bit of planning though, it won’t be the end of the world!
With a little bit of planning though, it won’t be the end of the world!

First, Google Drive is going to save you a lot of heartache.
First, Google Drive is going to save you a lot of heartache.

Privacy issues aside (but still relevant), using Google Docs automatically saves your
Privacy issues aside (but still relevant), using Google Docs automatically saves your

work to your own corner of the internet so that when your laptop fails, you can still
work to your own corner of the internet so that when your laptop fails, you can still

get to your stuff.
get to your stuff.

Plus, many university libraries let students check out laptops and other tech, at least
Plus, many university libraries let students check out laptops and other tech, at least

for a few hours!
for a few hours!

So if something goes wrong and you need a laptop or iPad in a pinch, or the infamous
So if something goes wrong and you need a laptop or iPad in a pinch, or the infamous

HDMI-to-VGA adaptor for a presentation, or whatever power cable, check with your library
HDMI-to-VGA adaptor for a presentation, or whatever power cable, check with your library

and see what they’ve got on tap.
and see what they’ve got on tap.

But maybe do that at the start of the term, before it’s *actually* an emergency.
But maybe do that at the start of the term, before it’s *actually* an emergency.

Focusing on your grades is going to get you, at most, halfway to the job or career that
Focusing on your grades is going to get you, at most, halfway to the job or career that

you want.
you want.

The rest of it is going to be things like soft skills, work experience, and actually
The rest of it is going to be things like soft skills, work experience, and actually

caring about something beyond your academics.
caring about something beyond your academics.

You can build up all three of these things by volunteering!
You can build up all three of these things by volunteering!

Off campus, look for organizations like food closets, youth programs, and cultural institutions
Off campus, look for organizations like food closets, youth programs, and cultural institutions

like libraries and museums.
like libraries and museums.

On-campus, consider getting involved in student government or joining a peer support program.
On-campus, consider getting involved in student government or joining a peer support program.

Volunteering is a great way to meet new people and give back to your community of peers,
Volunteering is a great way to meet new people and give back to your community of peers,

and gets you familiar with what’s going on in the wider community.
and gets you familiar with what’s going on in the wider community.

It also looks great on a resume, and might even introduce you to future employers -- either
It also looks great on a resume, and might even introduce you to future employers -- either

the institutions themselves, or their donors.
the institutions themselves, or their donors.

To get started with volunteering on campus, try googling your school’s name and the
To get started with volunteering on campus, try googling your school’s name and the

phrase “peer programs,” or wander around your campus and see who has the best signage.
phrase “peer programs,” or wander around your campus and see who has the best signage.

For off-campus opportunities, reach out to your public library and ask them about their
For off-campus opportunities, reach out to your public library and ask them about their

community partners -- or just ask *them* if *they* need volunteers.
community partners -- or just ask *them* if *they* need volunteers.

You seeing a trend?
You seeing a trend?

You are not the first person who’s having a hard time finding the *significance* in
You are not the first person who’s having a hard time finding the *significance* in

taking statistics.
taking statistics.

And you definitely won’t be the last person to go, “Auuuu!” when you don’t get the
And you definitely won’t be the last person to go, “Auuuu!” when you don’t get the

gold star on that quiz in Chemistry.
gold star on that quiz in Chemistry.

So why are you studying like you are?
So why are you studying like you are?

Find people in your classes who you get along with, and ask them early on if they want to
Find people in your classes who you get along with, and ask them early on if they want to

be study buddies!
be study buddies!

This keeps you accountable, sets you up to know who’s reliable (or not) early on for
This keeps you accountable, sets you up to know who’s reliable (or not) early on for

group work later, and is just a good way to meet people.
group work later, and is just a good way to meet people.

Or, check with the library to see if they organize any study groups through the year
Or, check with the library to see if they organize any study groups through the year

-- they probably do!
-- they probably do!

And groups can usually book private rooms in the library just for studying, depending
And groups can usually book private rooms in the library just for studying, depending

on how rowdy you wanna get.
on how rowdy you wanna get.

When it comes to finding the information you need to do good research, librarians are the
When it comes to finding the information you need to do good research, librarians are the

experts at finding it!
experts at finding it!

Sure, you probably can “google it” for your intro-level courses, but in your 3rd
Sure, you probably can “google it” for your intro-level courses, but in your 3rd

and 4th years and throughout all of grad school, your professors will expect more from you.
and 4th years and throughout all of grad school, your professors will expect more from you.

When this happens, talk to a librarian!
When this happens, talk to a librarian!

People don’t realize this, but universities have *subject librarians*: experts in a given
People don’t realize this, but universities have *subject librarians*: experts in a given

field who stay informed about it, and know how to find the good stuff.
field who stay informed about it, and know how to find the good stuff.

This is why grad students use library services more than undergrads: would you rather spend
This is why grad students use library services more than undergrads: would you rather spend

8 weeks hunting for all of the relevant research on your topic, or go to a librarian who can
8 weeks hunting for all of the relevant research on your topic, or go to a librarian who can

help you get it done in, like, two weeks?
help you get it done in, like, two weeks?

And finally, #1,
And finally, #1,

Take care of yourself!
Take care of yourself!

This is the most important advice I can give you: Take breaks, and make your mental health
This is the most important advice I can give you: Take breaks, and make your mental health

a priority!
a priority!

If you don’t have a lot of money, don’t sweat it.
If you don’t have a lot of money, don’t sweat it.

You probably already know that libraries give you free access to books, music and movies
You probably already know that libraries give you free access to books, music and movies

-- but they also offer things like board games, musical instruments, recording studios, crafts,
-- but they also offer things like board games, musical instruments, recording studios, crafts,

makerspaces, museum passes and so much more!
makerspaces, museum passes and so much more!

FOR FREEEEEEEEEE.
FOR FREEEEEEEEEE.

So if free things interest you, go to the library and keep the stress monster at bay,
So if free things interest you, go to the library and keep the stress monster at bay,

if only for a little while.
if only for a little while.

So many things are going to stress you out: being in a new place, feeling pressured on
So many things are going to stress you out: being in a new place, feeling pressured on

all sides to do well, navigating new relationships, paying bills, worrying about the future, and
all sides to do well, navigating new relationships, paying bills, worrying about the future, and

the list goes on.
the list goes on.

But remember: there’s help out there!
But remember: there’s help out there!

When things get hard, check out your school’s counseling services through student health,
When things get hard, check out your school’s counseling services through student health,

peer support programs, or access to counseling hotlines.
peer support programs, or access to counseling hotlines.

And you can ask the librarian about this, too!
And you can ask the librarian about this, too!

It can be scary, but recognizing that you need help and asking for it are the most important,
It can be scary, but recognizing that you need help and asking for it are the most important,

life-changing things that you can do.
life-changing things that you can do.

You’re allowed to feel sad, or angry, or anxious, and it’s normal to sometimes feel
You’re allowed to feel sad, or angry, or anxious, and it’s normal to sometimes feel

like nothing’s going right in your life and everything is outside of your control.
like nothing’s going right in your life and everything is outside of your control.

But I promise you that there’s no failure so big, that it will ever be worth ending
But I promise you that there’s no failure so big, that it will ever be worth ending

your life over.
your life over.

So if you ever start having suicidal thoughts or think to yourself that you’d be better
So if you ever start having suicidal thoughts or think to yourself that you’d be better

off dead -- or, if you’re worried that someone you know might be suicidal, please seek help.
off dead -- or, if you’re worried that someone you know might be suicidal, please seek help.

Here’s some information to help you out with that:
Here’s some information to help you out with that:

In the United States, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline toll-free at 1-800-273-8255
In the United States, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline toll-free at 1-800-273-8255

(TALK) , that’s 1-800-273-TALK, and Canada’s toll-free suicide hotline is 1-833-456-4566.
(TALK) , that’s 1-800-273-TALK, and Canada’s toll-free suicide hotline is 1-833-456-4566.

You should also dial 911 if you think you or someone else is in immediate danger.
You should also dial 911 if you think you or someone else is in immediate danger.

And if you’re outside of the US and Canada, I put links in the description to some resources
And if you’re outside of the US and Canada, I put links in the description to some resources

around the world.
around the world.

I like you just the way you are, and even if you don’t see it, you make this world
I like you just the way you are, and even if you don’t see it, you make this world

a better place just by daring to be your own, honest self -- by showing others with your
a better place just by daring to be your own, honest self -- by showing others with your

example that it’s *human* to be sad, or angry, or scared -- and that you can choose
example that it’s *human* to be sad, or angry, or scared -- and that you can choose

to deal with those feelings in a healthy way.
to deal with those feelings in a healthy way.

So please, stick around, and ask for help when you need it!
So please, stick around, and ask for help when you need it!

Now, I wanna hear from you: If you’re in college now, what’s been hard?
Now, I wanna hear from you: If you’re in college now, what’s been hard?

Or if you’ve already been there and done that, what advice would *you* give to others?
Or if you’ve already been there and done that, what advice would *you* give to others?

Let me know in the comments below, and if you see someone else’s question that you’ve
Let me know in the comments below, and if you see someone else’s question that you’ve

got an answer for, go ahead and answer it, and share this video so that we can help college-goers
got an answer for, go ahead and answer it, and share this video so that we can help college-goers

everywhere!
everywhere!

If you liked this video, and also like free things, go ahead give it a thumbs up, click
If you liked this video, and also like free things, go ahead give it a thumbs up, click

the subscribe button below, and tap the bell to get notified whenever I upload a new video
the subscribe button below, and tap the bell to get notified whenever I upload a new video

-- about twice a month.
-- about twice a month.

I talk about all the cool things libraries do but no one ever told you about, and I try
I talk about all the cool things libraries do but no one ever told you about, and I try

to make sure that each one gives you something useful to take away and make your life a little
to make sure that each one gives you something useful to take away and make your life a little

easier with.
easier with.

As always, thanks for watching, and until next time -- don’t forget to ask questions.
As always, thanks for watching, and until next time -- don’t forget to ask questions.

OK bye.
OK bye.

but they also offer things like board games, musical instruments, recording studios, crafts, makerspaces
but they also offer things like board games, musical instruments, recording studios, crafts, makerspaces

[weird mouth noises that aren't words] what a list. Okay.
[weird mouth noises that aren't words] what a list. Okay.

museum passes and so much m-fore! FOR FR-EUUUUGH! UUUUUUUEHG! EUGH.
museum passes and so much m-fore! FOR FR-EUUUUGH! UUUUUUUEHG! EUGH.