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

With finals quickly approaching, many McGill students are making their way to the library to save their GPAs. Most would agree that there are unspoken rules of the library that students abide by to ensure a productive studying space for all. However, some people don’t necessarily understand ‘library etiquette’. Here’s an unofficial list of the unspoken rules of the library to try and make studying a bit less annoying than it already is.

1. Please, do not eat loud food. As a student, I totally get that sometimes you can’t take a break from studying to eat lunch. But, out of common courtesy, please refrain from eating food so loud that I can hear you chew. Chips, carrots sticks, salad in a mason jar – if others can hear you chewing it, then its best to not eat it in the library.

2. Please, do not have full conversations in the quiet section. Having to ask the person next to you a question is one thing. But catching up on daily gossip with your best friend is another. Even if you are whispering your quietest, chances are people can still hear you. If you want to have a full-blown conversation with someone, I kindly ask that you do not do it in the quiet section. Studiers don’t want to hear what went down at that party last night.

3. Please, do not ask (or expect) me to watch your things for more than ten minutes. If you need to go to the bathroom or make a quick call, the person next to you probably doesn’t mind watching your things. But if you’re going to refuel at Tim Hortons, then you should probably take your things with you. Assuming someone will watch your things for more than ten minutes is inconsiderate of their schedule and puts them in an awkward position if they need to be somewhere and you’re nowhere to be found.

4. Please, do not save seats for hours. It’s nice to be able to sit by your friends in the library. But, it’s not okay to save seats for them when they won’t be at the library within the hour. Seats become scarce especially during finals season, and it’s not fair to save seats when many students are already at the library looking for them.

5. Please, do not engage in public displays of affection (PDA). No one wants to see you and your significant other make out. It’s distracting to students who are at the library trying to escape distractions. Any forms of PDA should not be expressed at the library. Go get a room, kids.

6. Please, do not vandalize the desks. Doodling your celebrity crush’s name on a desk is not funny, it’s downright immature. It’s unfortunate that there is such disrespect for school property. Please refrain from vandalizing the desks and other library property. Cleaning it comes out of student tuition, and there are so many other things that it could be better spent on.

7. Please, do not leave your phone’s sound or vibrate on. It should be common sense to turn your phone’s sound off in the quiet section of the library – but there are still a few who forget! Please turn your sound off, everyone will be much happier. Vibrate is also equally annoying. The sound your phone makes against the desk when it vibrates is equivalent to nails on a chalkboard. Phones are best left on silent.

8. Please, do not have conversations on your phone. This should also be common sense, but there are some people who think its okay to have a phone conversation if it’s whispered. Just as with in-person conversations, please do not do this in the quiet section. It’s distracting and disrespectful to others trying to study.

9. Please, do not listen to music loud enough that we can hear it. One of the most annoying things is being able to hear someone’s music through their headphones. Not only is it distracting to others around you, but it’s probably bad for your ears. If you’re going to listen to music, please make sure you’re the only one who can hear the bass thumping.

10. Please, do not come to the library if you are sick. This isn’t just because constant coughing, sneezing, and wheezing are incredibly annoying. It’s also because no one else wants to get sick, especially not with finals quickly approaching. If you are obviously sick, please refrain from coming to the library. If not to spare others, then to give your body the rest it so desperately needs.

For the sanity of everyone during this time, library-goers beg that you abide by these rules if studying in the library. It will ensure the best possible studying time for all individuals involved.

Good luck with finals, collegiettes!

Gifs obtained from:

http://giphy.com/gifs/eating-alone-hungry-FOKFIyQtLXSjm

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http://giphy.com/gifs/waiting-useless-drought-AJ2tSMOZyV3bi

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http://giphy.com/gifs/reaction-beyonce-mSNAe0YAKs85G

http://giphy.com/gifs/reaction-stop-VlEhUepenBk3K

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