By Traci Cothran
Diamond is a recent high school graduate from a charter school in Detroit, heading off to college this fall. We’ve been together for four years in the Big Brothers Big Sisters Detroit program, and I recently demonstrated our Gale databases for her, and asked her a few questions to share here on our blog.
You’re a college freshman – congratulations! What are you excited – and maybe anxious – about?
I’m excited to get away from home and be independent. I’m nervous about the work load in comparison to high school – everyone says it’s much harder – but I’m confident I have the organizational skills for success. However, my college has great tutoring resources that I know I can use – and they’re located right in my dorm. I’m not planning on working or doing sports my first year to be sure I have a handle on academics. But I am going to check out the various clubs and organizations and plan to join some.
Did you visit a library at your college during the tour?
Yes, we toured the library. The library not only had a floor with books, but I was surprised to find it had a study floor, and quiet floors, too. There’s a tablet instead of a librarian to use to find resources and direct you to them. I don’t recall online resources mentioned during the tour.
How much did you use print books and electronic resources during high school?
Once I switched schools after ninth grade, it was 100% digital and worksheets – no print textbooks. We were a “Google school,” and we were provided with Google computers, with Google software and integration. I’m comfortable with either digital or print, though sometimes I prefer print. My teachers used all kinds of online resources, but we did not have a physical library or librarian.
