When finals week approaches, many of us find ourselves drowning in the library before tests, after tests and even on days where we don’t have any tests. The library is not only a quiet place where you can get sh*t done, but it is also a place full of resources that you may need to ensure that finals week is a success. Here are a few library hacks that will make studying and learning this finals week a little more fun.
Book a study room
Study rooms are an easy and ~free~ way to have a quiet space for you and a group to either study or work on a project. No free space available on the library room reservation website? Utilize the collaboration cubicles in the basement that I literally found out about second semester sophomore year #lifesaver.
Get there way too early
There is always a chance that all of the good seats in the library will be taken before you get your act together and make your way over there, so try to get there early to avoid that inconvenience. Don’t feel like studying at 7am? Drop off your books and come back at a later time in the day.
And if you no one else will go with you at 7am…
Save seats for your friends
The best thing that you can do during finals week is alternate with your friends or roommates on who gets to the lib first and saves everyone seats. While it will definitely be annoying for you to see other people doing it, it makes it easy for you and your friends to get seats without all of you having to wake up at the break of dawn.
Get coffee
The best way to force yourself to stay awake and get stuff done is to drink coffee. Coffee usually gives you (well, it gives me) the perfect amount of energy to accomplish everything you need to, and then you can go home and sleep after.
Utilize the printers in the library to save time and money
Need to print a 30 page study guide don’t want to waste all of the ink in your own printer? Use the printing machines in the library. Every full time student’s tuition comes with $25 towards the WEPA printing stations, and if you do not use the printing money, it doesn’t roll over to next semester. There is one upstairs, two on the main level, and one in the basement.
Use the cubicles
Though I am totally a table-fan, the cubicles that the library has are perfect places to go and not get distracted. More than likely, every single person you know at this school will be at the library during finals week; you do not want to get distracted every single time someone you know walks onto the quiet floor. If you are in a cubicle you will see less people as they are tucked away and not right by the stairs.
Go to the writing center and reference desks for help
Have a huge paper or need a book for one? The writing center can help you perfect your paper, and the reference desk can help you find the book you need to get the information for said paper.
Forgot a charger? Borrow one from the library
The front desk in the library has a multitude of phone and computer chargers that you can rent on an hourly basis at no cost. Don’t worry about going all the way back to your room if you forgot yours that day.
Bring snacks
Make sure you bring snacks to ensure that you do not starve—sometimes days in the library get the best of you, and you forget to run and get lunch or dinner. Also, the convenient Starbucks in the lobby is a convenient place to get food too.
Each finals week, the library brings in dogs to help de-stress students and give them a break from their studies—make sure to utilize this.
Utilize the DPS shuttle service if you are leaving late at night (or v early in the morning)
As you are aware, the department of public safety offers a driving service if you or a friend feel uncomfortable walking back to your dorm room or townhouse late at night by yourself. They encourage all students to utilize it, so why not?
Curious about the library’s hours for the rest of the semester? Check out the calendar here.