"In Chaos I Find Solace."

"In chaos I find solace."

-Unknown

Current Mood 🌺🌿🌻🌼🌹

" If it could only be like this always – always summer, always alone, the fruit always ripe…"

—Evelyn Waugh

☾⋆🎧🌅𓍢ִ໋✨༄🚘

How to study productively: In the Library

#slavic roots western mind

As experience taught me and many people, the library is a fantastic place to study in, especially for those living in dorms with chaotic roommates.

Don't get me wrong, chaotic can be good, but not when you're trying to finish that math set, or that literature paper.

So where do we go? The library is a pretty safe choice, but how do you actually study productively there? Even the library isn't free from distractions, especially when crammed with like-minded people trying to find a place to study.

Whether it's the obnoxiously loud laptop key tapping, grating coffee slurping, frustrated sighs and the occasional sound of someone's head slamming against their books (pretty common actually, especially in the med library), the library can be full of distractions, even more so when it's quiet.

For some reason, the quieter the place, the louder the distraction.

Here's my guide to studying effectively in the library, regardless of whether you're alone or squished together with other people like a can of sardines.

Headphones, earbuds, airpods, earplugs - if it blocks noise, it's your bff

If you prefer listening to music whilst studying, whether it's swedish rock, white noise, classical piano or acid jazz - you're no stranger to blocking out noise, so continue confidently.

If you absolutely hate any type of noise and need 100% silence to focus, then still wear some type of earbuds or headphones. It might not remove the noise completely (or it might depending on the quality), but it's much better than being subjected to an entire plethora of sound.

2. Dress comfortably - save the cute fits for actual class.

"Dress comfortably" - one of the most vague statements I have ever heard of. Pjs? Sweatpants? Leggings? Whatever comfortable means to you, wear it.

Chances are you'll be in the library from morning until the evening during exam week, so comfy and loose trousers are the way to go.

3. Don't study with your friends unless it's a verbal exam or a group project.

Sit away from each other, preferably on different tables or even floors but always get together during breaks to have a quick catch-up.

Sitting together means that you'll end up distracting each other and turn a would-be productive study session into a chill hangout. It's important to make time for friends, but not when you're trying to study!

I made the mistake of trying to study with a friend in our uni library during my 1st year, and it ended up with use sending each other cat videos and silently cracking up for 2 hours before our next class. Fun, but not entirely productive.

4. Turn off your phone's wifi when studying.

Don't turn it off completely, because emergencies can happen and you may need to be available. Instead, turning off your wifi gets rid off most notifications, and if it's really that important then they can call you instead.

5. Decide in advance what you'll be studying, and bring the relevant material.

Trying to decide if you want to get started with your history paper or go over your spanish notes and whether you have the right notebook can waste quite a lot of time.

You can easily do that by using or creating a study planner to increase your study productivity, as instead of spending 15 minutes on sorting everything out and making a note in the back of your textbook that you studied this and that, you'll know exactly what to study.

6. Bring snacks and drinks - include enough water! leave the coffee alone!

You'll definitely want to have a proper lunch or dinner or a linner, depending on personal needs, but you don't want to get distracted when you're in the zone.

Here is where snacks and water come in handy. If possible, stick to healthier snacks, but if those aren't available eat whatever works best for you.

And please don't forget ✨water✨.

That headache that you usually get around, say 6ish when you're headed home? Coffee could be the likely culprit, especially if instead of water you've been chugging coffee and energy drinks like ehem, water.

I'm no doctor, but drinking your bodyweight in caffeinated drinks doesn't seem to be too healthy. I get that it's tempting (and i'm definitely guilty of drinking way too much coffe), but your health affects you and your studies. So take care, replace some of that coffee with water, and enjoy some better sleep.

7. Check the library hours.

Some library's are open 09.00-20.00, others have more specific hours, whereas quite a good few are open 24/7. If you're planning an all-nighter, then definitely check the library's working hours. You don't want to be forced to leave just when you've finally managed to get the hang of a particularly difficult concept, so plan accordingly.

8. Switch it up with your seat.

Don't just study at the same spot, try out different locations. Not only can you find the perfect spot, but you'll be more alert as your mind gets used to the new location.

.⋆｡⋆☂˚｡⋆｡˚☽˚｡⋆.