It’s that time of year again when having four classes seems like the end the world. It seems as if teachers within the same department have no communication skills and schedule his or her exams on the same day, back-to-back. If you are lucky enough to have them one day apart, it is hard enough to remember what information is for what class. Study guides become never ending and the readings neglected for the first month of school finally come back to haunt you when the teacher announces you will be held liable for them.
As a senior, I have taken my fair share of exams and written plenty of papers long and short, but somehow I managed to avoid entering the library until my junior year unless I was purchasing an afternoon iced latte at Starbucks to cool down.
It never ceases to amaze people how I don’t use the library to study. The truth is Library West scares me. It is full of too many people, the basement is so quiet someone could live down there for weeks without anyone noticing, and I am not familiar with the proper protocol of the library. I find it annoying if I am studying alone, I have to pack up all my stuff if I have to use the restroom. Not only does that waste time, but it also leaves a prime spot open for someone just arriving.
There are plenty of ways to avoid the library and still have a successful time studying for midterms.
The first step in planning a study session is making a timeline. Print out a calendar of the week, mark off when your exams are and dedicate specific blocks of time to study for each exam. Seeing it in paper is easier to visualize and work with instead of trying to keep track of everything in your head. Making a checklist to correspond with the dates and times is also a way to motivate yourself to study. Crossing off completed tasks always makes me feel accomplished no matter how menial the task is.
Deciding where to study is also a key factor. Some people prefer to be in the comfort of his or her own dorm or apartment, but others find it distracting. Depending on your attention span and toleration for noise while studying your options vary.
In addition to the ever crowded Library West, each college on campus usually has their own library.These libraries are usually less crowded and quieter throughout the year. For a completely silent environment, the Levin College of Law Library is the place to go. The hours are often not as extensive as Library West, but it is definitely silent.
To avoid running into people you know, Alachua County libraries also provide study spaces. Students don’t think to utilize public libraries, but they are quiet and often have the necessary books to assist in writing papers.
For those who enjoy background noise or music while studying, Gainesville offers many different study locations with Wi-Fi and tables to accommodate room for books and laptops. Of course there are the usual Starbucks and Panera Bread locations, but Gainesville has other local shops.
Coffee Culture is known for remembering your drink order and name. They have free Wi-Fi and a study area that is open until 11 p.m. Located at 2020 NW 13th St., this coffee shop offers a wide variety of teas and coffees as well as vegan desserts to help get through study sessions.
After choosing where to study, deciding how long to stay is the next step. Make sure to bring any drinks or snacks you may need before leaving if purchasing food isn’t an option.
Before cracking open the books, ensure your phone is off and any other distractions are away. Try to clear your mind of any lingering thoughts relating to errands or other chores that need to be done, and focus on the task on hand.
The most important tip is to stay calm and follow your study plans. The week will drag out while studying, but the exams will end quickly and you will have officially survived midterms.
