Now that we’re back into the swing of classes, homework has already begun to pile up. If you’re trying to stay on top of your classes from the get-go, you understand the importance of a good study space. Here at ND, there are a bevy of spaces to choose from. And there’s something wrong with all of them. Or me. Maybe both.
Dorm Room
Here I am, pouring over my orgo textbook, trying to remember the nuances of the hydroboration mechanism. On the fourth floor in a dorm without air conditioning, cooled only by a weak desk fan, I can feel yesterday’s makeup melting off my face. And besides, I’ve been here for the last five hours and I’m tired of looking at the same frozen pictures of my family on the walls. Sorry guys. You know I love you.
Common Room
I live on the noisiest floor of the most crowded women’s dorm on campus. Girls are meowing to each other. There’s a wall twerking contest. Someone just turned on The Bachelorette. Time to move on.
Basement
We have silent study spaces in the gloriously air conditioned basement, with dividing walls between each space. Perfect, right? Well, when they say silent they mean silent. Ten minutes after I sit down, rogue dust catches in my throat and I erupt into a violent coughing fit. The girls look up from their textbooks and try to smite me with their eyes. Unable to bear the humiliation any longer, and still clutching my throat, I gather my things and shuffle away.
Dorm Courtyard
Courtyard? As in, outside? As in, bugs and heat and weird shifting sunlight that casts shadows on my open textbook? No thanks.
LaFun
Hmm…let’s see. Every chair in the basement is full, every booth claimed by a tired backpack or Starbucks cup. They’re playing ESPN on the big screens. Baseball highlights? Must…stay…focused. Ooh, Subway? The recycled yoga mat bread smells surprisingly good. I could do with a buffalo chicken sub with extra pickles and…wait, what was I supposed to do again?
Honors Lounge
No free cookies left. What’s the point?
CoMo Study Lounge
Oh, they’re having the Association for Novice Magicians and Illusionists for a midmorning luncheon? All day?
Hesburgh Library
Every other cubicle is taken. I’m not sitting between two people, close enough to smell their egg salad grab-and-go sandwich. The Fishbowl? Please, do you think fish like being stared at by all the passing students and tour groups? Nope. So why would I? And the basement? The sacred, comfortable library basement with bathrooms nearby that’s perfect in every way? Well, it’s full. Great.
ACE Building
Everyone tells me about the ACE building. That’s it’s great and quiet and not a lot of people know about it. Maybe it’s because no one can find it. Seriously, does it even exist?
Dining Hall
I guess I’m just getting desperate now. Plus, I’m hungry. Yay, burritos.
Dorm Room
I guess I’m back to the sweltering heat and boring scenery. Sometimes the simplest solution is the best, and you can’t spend all day searching for a study space. You have to save time for…well…studying.
Of course, I’m free to play my music in this room. “Laaa la la la la laaaa, it’s all about the wordplay…”
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