Your roommate has stopped showering. He or she is not eating or sleeping anymore. You’re noticing more people rolling into class in their pajamas and the Library is suddenly as crowded as a frat party. Check the calendar ‘ yup, it’s finals week.
Starting today, Dec. 7, the Glenn G. Bartle Library is open 24 hours, so you have someplace to kick your cracked-out roommate to. But first, here are some tips on surviving hours ‘ even all night ‘ at the library.
Dana Foley, a sophomore engineering major, said she has pulled many all-nighters at the library. She said she usually resides on the fourth floor with a group of her fellow aspiring engineers.
‘It works best when you have friends with you the whole night,’ Foley said.
She said she always makes sure to wear comfortable clothes, gets a ‘Box O’ Joe’ (a box filled with 10 servings of coffee from Dunkin’ Donuts) and packs a bag with snacks to last her through the night. Despite the constant coffee drinking, Foley said she takes time from her studying to take naps.
‘I bring a pillow,’ she said. ‘And I take 15 to 20-minute power naps.’
On your journey to find a nice quiet place to study in the Library, you may find Angela Fiorito, a sophomore Italian and psychology major, in either the Library North reading room or napping on a different floor.
‘I like the third floor for resting,’ she said.
Like Foley, Fiorito said she carries a bag of munchies and is always jacked up on caffeine. Fiorito emphasized that it is very important to take a lot of breaks. It clears her mind and gives her a chance to call her boyfriend.
‘I take breaks and walk around watching everybody else study,’ she said. ‘That motivates me to keep studying.’
Although Fiorito and Foley suggest packing snacks beforehand, other students find it more satisfying to make a trip to the New University Union for pizza or Taco Bell. Yet, at 3 a.m., there are not many options, and most students resort to the vending machines.
The general consensus of late-night studiers is that eating Pop Tarts is the way to go; however, quite a few people said they diversify with M&M’s. These are slim pickings for sure, but acceptable in a bind.
It is hard to resist caffeine when poring through books for days at the library; however, it is important to remember to drink a lot of water as well. It keeps you awake and hydrated, but it also keeps you running to the bathroom.
Also, naps will help rejuvenate your mind and body, but another good idea for when you take a break is to get some exercise. Take a tour of the library, do some jumping jacks or even go outside for a run.
Adam Basa, reader services coordinator at the library, has stumbled upon quite a few students snoozing throughout the library during finals week. He said that a majority can be seen napping in the north study room, sleeping on chairs, couches or even the floor.
‘I don’t wake anybody up unless they are in the way,’ Basa said. ‘If you pass out in the library, that’s your business.’
The only problem Basa has encountered is students trying to sneak in food. Drinks are allowed in the library, but food is prohibited. ‘People try to bring in boxes of pizza,’ he said.
Keep these library-living tips in mind, but also consider NOT taking up residency at the library this coming week. Make sure to head back to your dorms and get some sleep. Eat hearty meals. Cramming all night at the library may not be the most beneficial strategy in order to get that A.
‘I don’t think pulling an all-nighter is smart,’ said Seth Miller, sophomore biology major. ‘It’s better to go into a test with a good night’s sleep rather than cramming the night before and getting no sleep.’