This set of FAQs sets out to help York University students get quick answers to some of the most commonly asked questions that come our way at the Learning Commons. We hope it proves useful.
General Questions
The Learning Commons is a collaborative endeavour with the goal of offering students holistic learning supports by showcasing key academic and related services or resources we offer on one website. We also collaboratively develop online learning resources and more. Currently, the Learning Commons provides support to help you with areas such as writing, library research, English language communication, learning skills, career planning, math/numeracy support, and health education.
The Learning Commons brings together learning services and self-directed resources to help students with areas such as writing, library research, citing, time management, study skills, exam preparation, English language, career planning, math/numeracy skills and health education. Check out the Learning Commons web site to consult our collaboratively created online learning resources and to explore our resources or services!
Yes, we do. We are especially well known for SPARK (Student Papers & Academic Research Kit), a free e-learning resource, that promotes self-paced learning to support academic skills and help you prepare for written academic papers and assignments. For more online learning tools, check out the online resources section of the Learning Commons web site.
Libraries
You can get on-demand research help at both virtual (chat and zoom) and in-person (research help desks) library service points. You can also access research help using email, and appointment-based services. To learn more and to check out when these services are available consult the Ask & Services section of the Library’s web site. If you prefer to learn in a self-directed way, research guides offer a really great place to start. These curated pathfinders walk you through the best materials and databases for your specific subject(s).
Not all textbooks are available at the Library and this is especially true for online editions – many of the large commercial textbook publishers do not provide purchasing options to libraries and prefer to sell directly to individuals. Your professor may have requested that your textbook be available in the library’s Course Reserve collection. These books can be borrowed on short term loan – just ask at a library service desk. By searching Omni, you may also find your textbook online, on the regular library shelves or available by request at one of our partner libraries. If you still cannot find your textbook , connect with one of our friendly research help staff for assistance with searching and advice on next steps.
Very often instructors will ask you to find peer-reviewed articles as part of course assignments. Peer-reviewed or refereed means that the article was approved by a panel of reviewers who are considered experts in their fields. Follow the steps in our Finding Journal Articles guide to track down journal articles. Step five in this guide talks about determining if the article found is peer-reviewed.
Yes, the Library offers a rich collection of streaming media including many streaming video databases and online audio collections. Please check these research guides for information on our streaming music and film databases. Still not finding what you need? Talk or chat to a member of our research help team.
For quick tips on citing using APA, MLA, or Chicago style, you can review our Citing Your Work guide which contains guides to using citation styles, especially APA, MLA and Chicago (see the citation styles section).
Writing Centre
The Writing Centre’s trained instructors offer one-on-one sessions, workshops, drop-in appointments, and other writing support services for undergraduate and graduate students. Find more information at the Writing Centre’s web site.
Each week, you can book a 50-minute FREE individual appointment with a writing instructor to work on a writing assignment. Your instructor can help you with strategies at any stage of the assignment, whether you’re just getting started through to revision.
Go to the Writing Centre’s sign-in page and click on “Register with us” to register as a first-time user. Once you have an account, you can easily sign in to book additional appointments.
Yes, it does. This year, you can drop-in for a 15-minute appointment with a writing expert during specified hours between Monday through Saturday. Check out the Drop-in Support section of the Writing Centre’s web site for more information, including the times for on-campus & remote drop-in!
We offer a regular workshop series that focuses on different aspects of writing assignments. We also have an Accessibility Specialist for those registered with Accessibility Services, Grammar classes and a Multilingual Studio you can sign up for, a weekly podcast, and a Graduate Student Café series of seminars for LA&PS PhD students.
Learning Skills Resources (Online)
The Learning Skills Resources web site has a wealth of information on a variety of topics, including: starting the year off strong, managing time, reading and note-taking, preparing for exams, and learning the best ways to study (as supported by studies in cognitive psychology.) The site also contains links to information on remote and online learning, the student guide to group work, and SPARK -- the student papers and academic research kit. There's also a link to Start Strong YU, a web site with information about a broad range of topics, including well-being, navigating campus resources, and the YU Blog.
The Learning Skills Resources web page is meant to provide you access to self-study materials to support your skills development. However, you may find online and in-person workshops hosted by your College or Faculty, particularly during the first six weeks or so of the academic year. Some instructors include brief lessons on these skills in first-year classes or you can talk with a Teaching Assistant or the Professor for guidance during office hours. Further, a quick internet search (e.g., reading skills for university) will turn up a wealth of additional resources from College and University web sites across the internet.
You don't have to change everything at once. Select a few strategies from reliable resources and try them out over a period of time, making adjustments to suit your learning needs.
ESL Open Learning Centre (OLC)
The ESL Open Learning Centre offers FREE English language support for all undergraduate & graduate multilingual students registered in credit classes at York University. Support is provided for ANY aspect of English:
Writing, reading and listening-comprehension, speaking (presentations, discussions, and debates), and other oral and written communicative skills. We offer online and in-person, 1-1 and group sessions that provide personalized feedback and offer interactive educational activities.
We provide services to all York University students, who identify as non-native speakers of English. You do not have to be enrolled in an ESL course to use our services.
Students can book 1-1 Assignment Help (OLC Language Facilitation session), or professors can contact us for small group sessions if their students are working on group presentations. Students can bring their presentation assignments for extra help with research, outlining, organization and delivery practice. Students are encouraged to upload their slides and assignments as an attachment when making an appointment, so that they can receive constructive feedback from OLC facilitators and rehearse their online presentations in their meeting.
Students who would like someone to provide feedback on their paper draft, can book 1-1 Assignment Help (OLC Language Facilitation session) with us. ESL OLC tutors can help students clarify the major arguments, themes, and messages of their assigned readings and guide students to structure their written assignments with coherent arguments, correct grammar, proper genres, and effective language expressions.
OLC invites students from different disciplines to attend and participate in workshops (theme classes) on reading and listening-comprehension, writing and research, grammar awareness, pronunciation and discussion, and academic conventions.
The ESL OLC conducts ESL Café inviting students from all disciplines to join us to discuss interesting social and world topics and play conversational games online. You can enhance your academic discussion and debates skills and make friends with other York University students.
Students can book any type of session with us through the ESL Open Learning Centre online booking platform. Select among the following options: OLC Writing Instruction (for 1-1 sessions to provide support with your written work), OLC Language Facilitation Assignment Help (for 1-1 sessions to support you in ANY aspect of English:
Writing, reading and listening-comprehension, speaking (presentations, discussions, and debates), or OLC Language Facilitation Workshops (for group sessions designed to enhance your reading, listening, writing, and speaking skills).
For step-by-step instructions, please watch this video. In summary, students can use their Passport York credentials to log in and book an appointment. Students from both Keele campus and Glendon campus can access this booking system and receive support.
Please email us at eslolc@yorku.ca. You can also go to our website.
Co-op & Career Centre
Explore the Co-op & Career Centre website for information on a range of services and resources to help you plan your future.
In particular, consider booking a 1:1 appointment with a Career Counsellor. They can help you to broaden your career options by connecting the dots between your degree, skills and experience.
You can start by attending an online Resume & Cover Letter workshop – the schedule is posted on Experience York.
If you’d like specific feedback on your resume, drop by the Career Lounge either virtually or in-person to speak with a specially trained Peer Career Educator – no appointment required!
The Job Search and Networking Strategies workshop is a great place to start. Register for this though Experience York.
You can also utilize York's exclusive job boards for full & part-time work, on-campus jobs, or learn about applying to the co-op program.
We have a range of career services available for alumni for up to two years after you graduate. Take advantage of drop-in advising, career development webinars, 1:1 advising appointments, networking events, job boards and more! Visit the alumni section of our website to learn more.
Health Education & Promotion
Health Education & Promotion provides a wide range of engaging and supportive programming designed to help students thrive both personally and academically. This includes health and wellness events, interactive tabling activities, and Recovery College Courses, offered in collaboration with Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences. These programs focus on building resilience, promoting mental health, and fostering a sense of community on campus.
You can stay updated on upcoming Health Ed workshops, events, and tabling by visiting the Student Counselling, Health and Well-being event’s page.
Visit our Healthy Living page to explore a wide range of health and well-being resources including physical activity, nutrition, sleep and more. You can also check out our Student Health Blog posts for tips and ideas from fellow students on living well.