Did you know the University has 16 libraries? The last two weeks have shown me exactly why the University is one of the top schools in the country. Because it is, quite simply, rather difficult to be a student here. During this time frame, I've had three exams, a paper and several homework assignments on top of all that.
And during these last two weeks, I did something I only do when it is extremely cold out or my workload is extremely heavy. I ventured into Clemons Library. Normally I prefer to study in my bedroom or in the McCue Center, where my basketball teammates and I have study hall and print our readings.
The first night of the worst two weeks of my enrollment here, I gathered my books, laptop charger and enough snacks to last me through a hike up Mount Everest. I made my way to the bottom floor of my apartment where my teammate Lexie was watching TV.
"Where you off to?" she asked, as my backpack thumped solidly on the floor. "And why are you taking bricks with you?"
"Clemons," I replied.
"Where?" She seemed genuinely confused.
"Clemons. The library?"
"Oh yeah. Don't do that."
You see the adversity I was up against. Most of my teammates and I don't go to the library often and prefer to do the majority of our work in the McCue Center. This leaves us mostly unfamiliar with the secrets to navigating the libraries on Grounds. So on this adventure, I was left alone. I caught the bus and with trepidation found myself entering Clemons Library.
I felt like a stranger in a foreign land. Or perhaps a blue plaid couch in an Ikea living room. There were people, seemingly happy people, reading and discussing classes with an enthusiasm I could not seem to muster. There was a tiny Starbucks machine, dispensing coffee to students who looked like they had just woken up from naps. There were booths with people taking said naps.
I made my way to the second floor and maneuvered between tables, trying to find an open spot. I felt like everyone was staring at me, as if they all knew I was lost and alone. Eventually I found a table against a wall and unpacked all of my books on the table. The library and its occupants loomed around me. It was 8:03 p.m. Let the knowledge begin, I said to myself.
8:05 p.m. I turn on my computer and open Firefox. I open Collab and the syllabus of my political theory class.
8:08 p.m. I direct myself to stumbleupon.com, my favorite time vampire that with the click of a button takes you to a fascinatingly random website.
8:15 p.m. After visiting 16 new websites, one consisting of pictures of dogs frolicking in puddles and that I have bookmarked, I decide I'm hungry.
8:19 p.m. Clif Bar demolished. I open my planner and see that my paper is due in exactly 43 hours and 41 minutes.
8:43 p.m. I'm not actually sure how the last 24 minutes were spent. There is an open Word document with my name and a page number.
9:17 p.m. An unfamiliar girl sits near me at the table. Like a territorial alley cat, I move my papers closer and crouch over my laptop. This girl could be trying to move in, I must protect myself.
9:20 p.m. The girl asks if I'm using the wall plug. Even though my computer is clearly charging, I acquiesce. Do I make small talk, or do I attempt to continue learning?
10:04 p.m. Table partner and I make friends and trundle to Greenberry's Cafe in Alderman - who knew that was there? We order two large chai tea lattes and split an apple turnover. Practically BFFs.
10:34 p.m. I've written half a page. My table partner, having far less work than I, has packed up and left. Rather than getting emptier, the library seems to be filling up. Two more people move in on my empty table. This time, I avoid the small talk.
10:57 p.m. A page and three-quarters. About 40 hours to go.
11:23 p.m. I'm getting sleepy. I have practice tomorrow.
11:54 p.m. Two-and-a-half pages. My eyeballs are burning from looking at the computer screen. I think it is time to call it a night.
I won't lie, I learned several new things at Clemons. The first is that a change of scenery does not make me any more productive. Four hours of sitting at a wooden table in a room filled with other people at other wooden tables was for some odd reason not conducive to my learning. Perhaps the scent of desperation and the body odor of unwashed students does it for some, but not for me. Secondly, I may have attention deficit disorder. No one seems concerned about me yet, but I think this is a definite possibility that needs further consideration. Thirdly, start your paper more than two days before it's due. There are rumors that the people capable of doing this exist somewhere. I don't know any of them, but perhaps if I can hunt one down and perform a case study, I will be able to report back with more information. Mostly, I am not a library person, but the chai tea latte was definitely worth it.
Simone's column runs biweekly Thursdays. She can be reached at s.egwu@cavalierdaily.com.
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