Perhaps the most important aspect of the university environment you must master is its research facilities.

Once you get settled in, make a point to take a tour of the central library. Most schools offer organized tours. Some schools have librarians who specialize in certain disciplines such as Political Science or Biology.

It is important that you get to know these individuals because their assistance will be indispensable when you are completing research papers.

Familiarize yourself with bound as well as electronic resources. Never hesitate to ask the librarian a question. He or she can identify relevant resources far more quickly that you could on your own. It will take time for you to become proficient in using all that the library has to offer. However, time getting to know the library is time well invested.

Finally, if you plan on studying a foreign language, visit your school’s language lab.