I've always been a good student; in fact, college is the first time in my life that I have really had to study. My room is always a rewarding place to study, but not in the way it should be. "Studying" in my room is rewarding, because I often find myself distracted by YouTube or Spotify; it's a good time to find new videos to show friends. Even more often, I find myself distracted by the insane amount of dust that collects on my Keurig or a new form of organization for the knick-knacks on my desk. By the end of my study session, I have subscribed to a new YouTube channel, listened to an entire album, dusted twice, vacuumed, and strategically randomized the gadgets that decorate my room. Taking my first online class this semester made me realize that I was really going to have to buckle down and get some work done. If you have or still do struggle with staying on task while studying, never fear. I am going to share with you the holy grail of studying, the piece de resistance of academics, the library.
First major benefit of the library: quiet. Whether you need to listen to music or sit in complete silence, libraries are perfect for either. Simply plug in a pair of headphones and you have created yourself the perfect environment. Sit in the silence and stay on task. No matter your preference, the library can provide.
Second major benefit of the library: space. If you need to be isolated from others, most libraries offer private study rooms or screens to give you the desired amount of privacy. If you don't want to feel like you're off in hinterland, there are often common rooms for quiet, group studying. You're welcome to sit in there, even if you're not in a group.
Third major benefit of the library: resources. If you need to do an online assignment the library has wifi. If you need to do a research paper, the library has sources. Moreover, most libraries even have additional aides such as Think Spaces. College libraries often provide programs that typically requires paid subscriptions free-of-charge to their students.
Fourth major benefit of the library: employees. Stuck on your assignment? Most people working in the library will be able to show you something to get you back on track. Most college libraries employ students, so they can often recommend something that has personally helped them.
Fifth major benefit of the library: business hours. The lives of students can be quite hectic, and library hours reflect that. Our library is open 8am-1am throughout the year, and is open 24/7 during exams. So you should be able to incorporate a visit to the library into your busy schedule.
Sixth major benefit of the library: it's not your room. Being out of your room significantly decreases the chance of accidental naps, cleaning, or any kind of distraction caused by that comfortable environment. Sometimes you just a need of change of scenery to redirect your focus.
If these six points haven't convinced you, just think about this: the use of library resources is already paid for in your tuition. It would really be a waste of your money if you didn't try it at least once. Libraries aren't for everyone, but they are certainly worth a shot!
