As I slowly walk up the stairs of Raymond H. Fogler Library, I can’t help but find my mind instantly wandering from any and all of the work that I came here to do. I want to sit down and bust out a few papers but instead I find myself visiting StumbleUpon, Barstool Sports or PerezHilton. As I look around at the countless other people staring at the portraits lining the walls of the Presidents Room, I realize that I am not alone in these feelings. Although you may be reading this article to escape writing a paper, sending an email or starting a project, I hope by the end of it you will feel enlightened and empowered to own it in Fogler.
If you’re not doing research on your computer- PUT IT AWAY. I know that is hard to do but you will soon realize that it takes you half the time to write a paper when you’re not tempted to check the status updates on Facebook from people you haven’t spoken to in years and don’t intend to. If you are truly addicted to refreshing the page in between writing paragraphs then limit yourself to checking it only ONCE half way through as a reward. Mark Zuckerberg, you have no idea how hard you have made it on college students.
Bring a snack- no one does their best work when they’re dreaming of dinner. I am in no way telling you to sneak snacks into Fogler (I am in no way telling you not to though). Check out the Oakes room for a quick snack or bring some almonds, a protein bar or some crackers that you can scarf down while you take a break. If you don’t limit yourself to only eating when you get home then you will have less of a reason to leave without finishing all of your work. I know you’ve all heard this advice before but I have heard too many people say they’re “just going to leave now” cause they are too hungry to stay. So snack away and watching your to-do list shrink.
Need music to study? Make your play list before you get there. I like to listen to music when I am doing work as a way to zone out of the things going on around me, however what doesn’t work is when I spend 45 minutes trying to find some good music to listen to. Before you leave your apartment or dorm room either convert the videos to mp3’s and make your play list on iTunes or decide on what website you will be tuning in to. Saving this for once you get to Fogler is just another way to justify your awful procrastination habit.
Location.Location.Location- You need to study roughly a million note cards right? Well I can tell you right now good luck with that on the first floor. Not only will you find a million things/people to look at but when your mind starts to wander it is easy for it to wander right into the table over’s intriguing conversation on their most recent weekend escapades. SO if you need to be extremely focused- hit up the third floor for silence. If you need to write a paper and you came with a group go to the second floor, your choice of many rooms and tables, and quietly do what you came there to do. Came to do mindless work and know that a few distractions wont hurt? Then by all means stay on the first floor and chat it up while the rest of us focus upstairs.
So there you have it- some obvious yet easily forgotten rules of a successful and speedy Fogler session. And if all else from this article is lost on you, remember- the fastest way to leave Fogler is to finish your work- so go prepared and get straight to business.
photo credit: google images