I have to cheat on my favorite library -the one that has the perfect aroma of coffee, history, and that old book smell when you first walk in the door. Give me a ten-page paper and I can harness the power of that library and go to town without stress. However, after I walk through the doors and open my eyes (they had been closed as I let only my nose take in the beauty of the place), I wander though all five floors of the marvelous maze of a library only to find every seat taken. It’s time. I have to cheat on Alderman Library. As I nervously walk over to “the other” library, I’m regretting my decision. Sitting in a bathroom stall in Alderman would be better than venturing into the unknown crannies of Clemons Library. As I walk through the doorway to Clemons, I anticipate some kind of a smell that might pull me out my misery and inspire my creative juices. Nothing. I tiptoe downstairs and find a sea of complete strangers. My school is this big? Who are all of these people? Surely, the people I routinely see in Alderman are strangers, but their familiarity makes it seem otherwise. There’s the girl with the bright red hair working on an English essay while sipping on a chai tea latte. Then there’s the guy with the long dreads and the green beanie who always has a Cliff Bar in his hand.
As I stare in utter despair, I spot a wooden chair (I roll my eyes as I think of the inviting soft chairs in Alderman) in the back corner. I guess this will do. After working on my essay for an hour, I realize that I only have one sentence written. I grab my things and meander through the crowd of strangers, tiptoe back upstairs, and run to Alderman. Upon my arrival, the smell is better than ever and an available maroon leather chair glistens in the light. I’m home.
It sounds silly that one library could have such a stronger lure on me than another, but it’s true. Alderman Library is where I know I can get my work done without the stress that accompanies finals. The incredible smell, the sound of faint whispers, the taste of the smooth coffee, the feeling of the leather chairs, and the sight of the most creative and hardworking students pull me into a trance where I become a true writer- a writer who is awakened by my intellectual capabilities and fearless of finals.
My advice to any aspiring or fellow college students is to find a place on campus that motivates you without having to speak and inspires you without reason. Finals are inherently stressful. Trying to write multiple essays while simultaneously balancing studying is difficult to do, but even more difficult in a demotivating place. Discovering your “finals” home will help deteriorate walls of stress, promising a stronger sense of self on the other side.
Just remember that when you do find your home, don’t ever cheat on it.