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"Tips & Tricks"
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
We may not be physically in the library, but that doesn’t mean we’re not available to meet your information, research, and education needs!
- Need some help? Library staff can answer any inquiries you may have during online staffed hours. Just Ask Us via email, chat, or text.
- Have a question or a project that you know will require more in-depth assistance and expertise? Just fill out our schedule a consultation form and we’ll match you with one of our librarians.
- Want to hone your skills or learn about a new resource or program? We’re still offering Open Workshops! While we’re just about done with our summer series, we’ll have our September workshops posted soon, so keep an eye out! You can also always schedule aWorkshop on Demand, if a topic you’re interested in isn’t being offered.
- Want to be sure you can access online library resources when you’re not on campus? Visit our Get Started with Off Campus Access Page for instructions. We also have this handy guide on Library Resources During the COVID-19 Pandemic. On it we share a list of publishers that are currently providing expanded or free access to their offerings.
Thank you for being understanding as we navigate the waters of the new normal and let us know if you think of any other ways in which we can assist you remotely. We are working on implementing some new services for fall, so stay tuned!
And if you must enter the library building for any reason, please remember to wear your mask and adhere to social distancing protocols!
Need help accessing or troubleshooting software now that you’ve gone remote? Not to worry! The Tufts Technology Services 24/7 Support Desk is still available to assist you. Just call 617-627-3376 or email it@tufts.edu with your request. The Support Desk can help with software installations and troubleshooting software issues.
Need some software? Tufts offers free or discounted access to a variety of programs. If you can’t install something yourself, just contact the Support Desk. Some available programs you might find useful are:
Adobe Creative Cloud (free access for Tufts students through May 31, 2020)
STATA (temporary licenses are available for students using STATA in a course through June 1, 2020)
Need access to specialized software or don’t want something installed on your computer? Don’t forget about the Tufts Virtual Lab! Many programs are available for remote access, including:
- ArcGIS
- SAS
- SPSS
- STATA
- Tableau Desktop (Lab license)
If you’re not already familiar with fair use, the balance in copyright law that allows for some reuse of copyrighted materials without specific permission, now may be the time. There are generally four factors to consider under the doctrine which relate to: 1) the purpose of the use 2) the nature of the work 3) the amount used and 4) the market impact. Read more about it on the Fair Use page on the Scholarly Communication at Tufts website.
If you’ve suddenly found yourself remote and in a situation quite different from how you would normally operate, these extreme and short term circumstances may mean that you make different decisions about what you can fairly use than you normally might.
This is something we are thinking about at the library as well. In particular, with regard to our Interlibrary Loan service through ILLiad. While we presently are not able to fill requests for physical items, we are taking into account the present situation and need for access to more book chapters, for example, than typical. Please Ask Us if you would like to consult about the reuse of materials or have questions about interlibrary loan.
Post contributed by Judy Rabinowitz
This is the sixth in a series of six posts about preparing for the USMLE Step 1.
Our previous post in the Step 1 Study Prep Series covered resources on pharmacology. For our last post about systems-based resources, the table below covers top-rated review resources in microbiology, immunology, and pathology according to First Aid for the USMLE Step 1 2018 edition.
Some of the review books in our collection are available online. For print copies of resources, some are available on reserve behind the 4th floor service desk and can be checked out for 4 hours at a time. The books in the 5th floor stacks can be checked out for 4 weeks.
| What does it look like? | Title | First Author | Year of Publication | Where can I find it? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Clinical Microbiology Made Ridiculously Simple | Gladwin | 2016 | Two copies on reserve behind 4th floor service desk. One copy in the 5th floor bookstacks (call number QW 4 G543c 2016) |
 | Basic Immunology | Abbas | 2020 | Full Text Online |
 | Lippincott’s Illustrated Reviews: Immunology | Doan | 2013 | Full Text Online |
 | Case Files: Microbiology | Toy | 2014 | Full Text Online |
 | Rapid Review: Pathology | Goljan | 2019 | • Two copies in the 5th floor bookstacks (call number QZ 18.2 G626r 2019) |
 | BRS Pathology | Schneider | 2014 | Full Text Online and two copies in the 5th floor bookstacks (call number QZ 18.2 S358p 2014) |
For more board prep resources, see our Research Guide: Board Prep for Medicine.
Feel free to ask us if you’re having trouble finding a resource or need a recommendation. Happy studying!
Post contributed by Christina Heinrich
This is the fifth in a series of six posts about preparing for the USMLE Step 1.
Our previous post in the Step 1 Study Prep Series covered resources on biochemistry, cell biology, and histology. To continue to showcase our systems-based resources, the table below covers top-rated review resources in pharmacology according to First Aid for the USMLE Step 1 2018 edition.
Some of the review books in our collection are available online. For print copies of resources, some are available on reserve behind the 4th floor service desk and can be checked out for 4 hours at a time. The books in the 5th floor stacks can be checked out for 4 weeks.
| What does it look like? | Title | First Author | Year of Publication | Where can I find it? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Lippincott’s Illustrated Reviews: Pharmacology | Whalen | 2019 | Full Text Online |
 | Lange Basic & Clinical Pharmacology | Katzung | 2018 | Full Text Online |
 | Rapid Review Pharmacology | Pazdernik | 2011 | One copy available in the 5th floor bookstacks (call number QV 18.2 P348r 2011) and Full Text Online |
 | BRS Pharmacology | Rosenfeld | 2014 | One copy available in the 5th floor bookstacks (call number QV 18.2 R813p 2014) and Full Text Online |
 | Case Files: Pharmacology | Toy | 2014 | One copy available in the 5th floor bookstacks (call number QV 18.2 C337 2008) and Full Text Online |
For more board prep resources, see our Research Guide: Board Prep for Medicine.
Feel free to ask us if you’re having trouble finding a resource or need a recommendation. Happy studying!
Post contributed by Christina Heinrich
This is the third in a series of six posts about preparing for the USMLE Step 1.
Our last post in the Step 1 Study Prep Series covered Anatomy, Physiology, Embryology, and Neuroscience resources. To continue to showcase our systems-based resources, the table below covers top-rated review resources in behavioral science according to First Aid for the USMLE Step 1 2018 edition.
Some of the review books in our collection are available online. For print copies of resources, some are available on reserve behind the 4th floor service desk and can be checked out for 4 hours at a time. The books in the 5th floor stacks can be checked out for 4 weeks.
| What does it look like? | Title | First Author | Year of Publication | Where can I find it? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | BRS Behavioral | Fadem | 2017 | Full text online |
 | High-Yield Behavioral Science | Fadem | 2009 | Two copies available in the 5th floor bookstacks (call number WM 18.2 F114h 2009) |
 | High-Yield Biostatistics | Glaser | 2005 | One copy available in the 5th floor bookstacks (call number WA 950 G548h 2005) |
For more board prep resources, see our Research Guide: Board Prep for Medicine.
Feel free to ask us if you’re having trouble finding a resource or need a recommendation. Happy studying!
Post contributed by Christina Heinrich
This is the second in a series of six posts about preparing for the USMLE Step 1.
Last week we posted about comprehensive Step 1 resources such as books, question banks, and online practice tests available at the library. For our first post on systems-based resources, the table below covers top-rated review resources in anatomy, embryology and neuroscience according to First Aid for the USMLE Step 1 2018 edition.
Some of the review books in our collection are available online. For print copies of resources, some are available in the 5th floor stacks can be checked out for 4 weeks; the loan period for reserve books is 4 hours. To check out a book on reserve, just stop by the 4th floor Library Service Desk and ask us to grab it for you from behind the desk.
| What does it look like? | Title | First Author | Year of Publication | Where can I find it? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | High-Yield Gross Anatomy | Dudek | 2015 | On reserve behind 4th Floor Service Desk |
 | Anatomy: an Essential Textbook | Gilroy | 2017 | One copy on reserve and another copy in the 5th floor bookstacks (call number QS. 18.2 G489 2017) |
 | Atlas of Anatomy | Gilroy | 2012 | On reserve behind 4th floor service desk |
 | BRS Physiology | Costanzo | 2019 | Full text online |
 | BRS Embryology | Dudek | 2014 | Full text online |
 | High-Yield Neuroanatomy | Gould | 2016 | Two copies available in the 5th floor bookstacks (call number WL0101 G696 2016) |
For more board prep resources, see our Research Guide: Board Prep for Medicine.
Feel free to ask us if you’re having trouble finding a resource or need a recommendation. Happy studying!
Post contributed by Christina Heinrich
This is the first in a series of six posts about preparing for the USMLE Step 1.
Did you know that you can access study materials for Step 1 through the library? Our resources include books and question banks, both online and in print.
Most print test prep books are on reserve and can be checked out from the Service Desk on the 4th floor, with a 4-hour loan period. Some print books with a 4-week loan period are also available in the 5th floor stacks.
Comprehensive resources and self-assessment tools are a good place to begin preparing for Step 1 to identify strengths and weaknesses and create a study strategy.
USMLE Easy and Board Vitals are two resources you can use to create personalized practice tests online. Kalpan and First Aid comprehensive study books are also on reserve and available for check out from the 4th floor Library Service Desk.
For more medical board prep resources, see our Research Guide: Board Prep for Medicine. Keep an eye out for future blog posts about systems-based resources in our collection. Happy studying!
Post contributed by Christina Heinrich
Image by Samuel1983 from Pixabay
Have you checked your WiFi settings lately? Tufts has three networks that you can connect to: Tufts_Guest, Tufts_Wireless, and Tufts_Secure. While you can get online with any of them, Tufts_Secure is the preferred network for the Tufts Community. If you notice that your connection seems slow, check to make sure you’re connected to the secure network and not Tufts_Guest or Tufts_Wireless. Please visit TTS’s WiFi page for more information about connecting to each network.
Courtesy of Creative Commons
Are you a medical or dental student stuck in a studying rut? Do you need to shake-up your studying? If your study routine has become, well, a bit too routine, then make a visit to:
Resources for Studying
https://researchguides.library.tufts.edu/studying_resources
The resources on this guide have a particular focus on the basic sciences and anatomy – perfect for first year medical and dental students! Featured resources include:
- Tools to create custom flashcard sets
- Sites featuring interactive games to help you study
- Practice quizzes and interactive reviews that help you assess your current knowledge level – and help take you to the next level
Studying for boards? Then check out:
Board Prep for Medicine
https://researchguides.library.tufts.edu/boardprepmedicine
Dental Board, Licensure, and Post-Grad Exam Review
https://researchguides.library.tufts.edu/dentalboardandpgreview
Happy studying!
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