Research often takes longer than you anticipate. To avoid last minute panic, start early and continue steadily working on your research until it is completed. Otherwise you may find a citation to the perfect book or article only to discover that Cornette Library does not own it. You can request an item not in the Library's collection through Interlibrary Loan but that usually takes one to two weeks. If you have waited too long to begin your research, you won't have time to take advantage of this valuable service.
Research requires flexibility.
Research is a methodical process that can take many twists and turns. These are part of the fun or challenge, but, for the impatient, they can mean dead ends and frustration. Dead ends in themselves are not bad. How you react to them is what's important. When you run into a dead end, you generally need to reassess and rethink your research strategy.