Finals week is quickly approaching and it is the time that students across the AUC begin to make their daily trip to the Robert W. Woodruff Library or "Club Woodi."One may be confused with the name "Club Woodi" if they were to walk into the library on a Tuesday evening before the thought of finals actually gave students instant feelings of stress. On a regular day, the library only has a couple of groups and individuals working on various projects and it is just as it seems-a library. During finals week, the library morphs right before my own eyes. Being opened 24 hours and always finding a friend around every corner, going to the Woodruff Library to study for finals can actually create more distractions than anything else. With that being said, in order to come out of Woodi victorious during finals week, meaning studying for a decent amount of time and also completing your assignments before 11:59 p.m., you have to bring your own survival kit.
1. Backpack
I know that this may be silly, but I have seen students walking into the Woodruff Library without a backpack or any books in hand. Don't be that person. If you want to socialize so bad, go to Kilgore or the Promenade. Actually, come to the Woodruff Library with an academic goal in mind. Also, bring all study materials that you may even think about using in your backpack. You don't want to have to run back to your dorm because you actually forgot the book you needed in order to complete your final paper.
2. Earphones
3. Laptop
4. Phone
What if you need to contact the girl in your study group who took bomb notes on the process of mitosis? You'll have your phone to text her and ten times out of ten, she is somewhere in Woodi.
5. Chargers
Like I mentioned before, the Woodruff Library is opened 24 hours during finals week. You may plan to stay at the library for two hours and you end up staying for eight. You never know, so you must always be prepared.
6. Money
The café in Woodi does not take our precious dining dollars, so actual money will have to due. You can bring your own coffee to the library, but by the time you need a caffeine boost, your coffee will either be gone or too cold. Also, have money on hand for coffee, smoothies, and snacks.
7. Snacks
To be completely honest, the snacks that I bring with me to the library are more like meals. I always go to Subway before I walk to Woodi. You will get hungry and having to walk all the way back to campus in order to eat dinner is just not the move. You probably won't make that additional trip back to Woodi after you ate, so just bring your little Subway sandwich or Chick-Fil-A meal in your backpack just in case. Sidenote: Eat your food on the low because library security will make you throw it away.
8. A Blanket
You may be staying in Woodi for the whole day/night and you want to be comfortable. How are you supposed to focus on Garveyism if you are too cold?
9. Gum
Researchers have proven that chewing gum on a regular basis while studying can actually improve memory recall, alertness and brain function in general. Also, everybody is in Woodi during finals week. You don't want to talk to your little crush and your breath smells like death and desperation. Don't play yourself.
10. Extra Supplies
Don't be that person going from table to table in Woodi asking for an extra pencil. You are old enough to understand that you will probably need a pencil or pen and paper while you are studying.
11. Focus
You need a game plan in order to conquer finals week. You especially need a game plan if you plan to study in Club Woodi. If you see a group of people strolling, your adopted Spelman sister or a group of people just laughing and having a great time, go in the opposite direction and get your work done. It is important for you to take breaks in between study sessions in order to ensure that your sanity remains intact, but get your work done as well.
It is completely possible to get your work done in Woodi during finals week. Don't let the excitement and fun that makes up the Woodruff Library overpower your need to study or complete grade determining assignments. Be great.
