You’re in your most comfy study clothes, your headphones are plugged in, you’re in your favorite seat in Addlestone, the one that you’ve claimed as your self-designated assigned seat you sit there so often, and you’ve unpacked your computer, books, notebooks and assignments.  You look like you’re actually doing your work, too.  But you’re not.

Instead, you’re most likely doing one of the following activities, which are just as vital as the test you’ve got tomorrow that you’re going to stay up all night “studying” for in between your ever-so-frequent study breaks. 

1. I’ll bet that your Facebook is pulled up on one of your tabs throughout the entire time you’re at the library.  Even if you’re never on Facebook anymore, you’re on it while you’re studying.  You may have even posted a picture of you and your friend studying on your wall so your mom will know that you actually do spend time in the library sometimes.   
2. You may be Snapchatting or Tweeting about stu(dying).  << That one usually gets a fair amount of favorites. 
3. You’ve definitely been on Buzzfeed, Reddit, Upworthy, and etcetera at least once during your study sesh.  How else would you be getting your news?  You’re being a responsible adult, informing yourself about current events in the world.  Surely the studying can wait for current events, right?  
4. You’re most definitely texting.     
5. And you’re people watching.  Quite possibly the most interesting thing in the library is watching how other people are wasting their time not studying, or being really impressed by how much people get done in their spurts of productivity.  It’s also so refreshing to be in the library and see someone you haven’t seen in a while, catch up with a short whispered chat and then get back to work.  
6. With all the events college and Greek life has to offer, you need to take a minute to plan out and prioritize your schedule for the week.  The library is a great place for this because you look busy, and you’re actually doing something useful.  
7. Or maybe you’re online shopping.  You have to get it now while you’re thinking about it, otherwise that dress you love might not be delivered in time for an event.  Or even worse, it could sell out.  
8. Another popular library pastime is to take online quizzes.  How else will you decide where you’re going to apply for your next job if you never found out you’re supposed to live in Barcelona? Or that if you were a Disney princess you’d be Belle, or that if you were a Harry Potter character you’d be Moaning Myrtle because you’re subconsciously thinking about that dreadful assignment you should be working on while you’re taking it.  
9. Finally, you’re reading this! Which, by the way, was an excellent choice.     

For all the time we spend not studying at the library, it’s kind of crazy that we think of the library as this place that’s so boring.  I can’t tell you that I’d rather be pulling an all-nighter in Club Addy than be out wasting time away with my buddies, but I can remind you that the library is not such a bad place after all.  Many of your brightest ideas perhaps stemmed from that chair you’re sitting in at the library and once you whip out that essay you’re working on, you’re probably pretty proud of what you were able to accomplish once you put your mind to it.  Being in the library is a privilege.  It means that you care enough about your studies that you’re dedicating time to improve your future! Don’t be so quick to write off the library as your own personal hell.  You only get to waste so many hours at the library before you graduate and join the real world, so enjoy it while you can.  Now get back to work!