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This Week We Love: Living in the Library

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at St. Andrews chapter.

 

Since the 1st of November, if anyone is wishes to send me post, kindly forward to Shelves HV, Level 2, St. Andrew’s Library. Yes, I have moved into the library because I can no longer be productive in my dorm room (I blame the rain, the radiator, my flannel PJs and my thick duvet).

The library really is a great place to force you out of bed.  PJs are ‘technically’ not allowed, so I always make an effort to dress decently and put on at least some mascara and eyeliner so as not to scare anyone at 11pm – poor souls. But apart from the library being an opportunity to get out of your flannel, the library outing actually has academic worth- crazy I know!

I don’t know what it is about the 2nd level, but the moment I climb those stairs I suddenly feel inspired by all the students who are typing away furiously with a pile of books near them rivalling the leaning tower of Pisa… now yes a good few would be on Facebook or watching the latest Gossip Girl or Supernatural, but still the good intent is there.

So after securing myself a spot closest to my lovely HV Shelves, I set up camp. I’m talking laptop, enough pens to draw a masterpiece, water bottle, books , file paper, mobile, iPod and headphones. With my perfect studying environment set up, I put on my headphones and turn on my iPod and I hit the books violently to make up for all the hours I wasted vegging out in my bed watching some new TV show.

Facebook remains closed until I do a minimum word count; chatting to my floor mate who I spot two rows in front of me is only when I’m up for a book or to refill my water bottle; and quiet drooling over guy who is a row in front of said friend- can’t honestly be fitted into my perfectly planned study timetable, so a minute or two (or ten) here and there is permitted!

St. Andrew’s library really puts the study in my life, especially compared to my old university’s library. Yes the library here can be used as a hangout spot to meet your mates and talk about that rager of a party last night, but with the books on the HV shelves and the general ‘YOU HAVE TO WORK’ vibe it gives me – I’m beyond happy with it.

So while this month might be known as Movember to the guys in our life, I will be referring to it as Book-vember… admittedly doesn’t sound as catchy but it supports my cause i.e. getting a pass in that 4,000 word assignment due in 48 hours!

 

Hazel Rafferty 

Hannah is a 4th year student of English Literature and Art History at the University of St Andrews.