Last week I had my first major deadline of the term: in for Monday, 9 am, it was a 2000 word essay on Renaissance poetry worth 70% of my final mark. Jealous yet? I thought not. But wait, it only gets worse. Like the clever clogs I am, I managed to book my train tickets home for the very weekend preceding it. This meaning that my deadline had to move from Monday, when I would be at home catching up with family, to the previous Friday. Joy. And of course this could only mean one thing: it was time for my very first library lock in.
1)Get the best seat.
Our University library seems to be getting busier and busier these days, to the point where if you arrive any time after lunch there is not a work space in sight. Even more high demand than the everyday desk space, is the computer. Given that the wifi is a little dodgy (and the computer desks come with beautifully comfy high backed swivel chairs) this is a must for anyone the day before a deadline. I managed to wrench myself out of bed for the 8.30 bus, run to the library, secure a computer and nab the only copy of our monstrous poetry anthology before 9 am. You would not believe the death stares I got from the swarm of students wandering in at 9.30.
2)Make sure you have provisions.
There comes a point, about two hours into any students’ library day when that first spring of motivation starts to die out and you start to remember that you are going to be in that seat all day, and that your deadline is in (in my case) 22 hours, etc, and that all of your friends are at home having a better time than you. This is energy low and what you need more than anything is a treat. Now, I am well aware that eating in the library is generally prohibited, but (and I really hope my librarians don’t see this) no one is going to notice you sneaking that bit of Dairy Milk out of your pocket. Please, you deserve it; you got here at 9 am for goodness sake!
3)Bring a coat.
It’s 1 o’ clock, and your stomach has just rumbled for the entire world to hear. A close-by Maths student has been eyeing up the computers for some time, waiting for someone to give in and go to lunch so he can grab their seat, and he knows you’re close to breaking point. And don’t think you can sail through your library day living off morsels of chocolate: you can’t. But all is not lost, there is another way. Bring a coat; leave it, and some important looking books, around your desk or on your chair, and whatever you do, DO NOT log out of your account: you have officially marked your territory, you can skip off to lunch in the happy knowledge that no one would dare log out of your account for you or move your stuff without the librarians intercepting. For all they know you’re just off finding a book, whilst really you’re loading up on that all important energy so you can power on through your assignment.
4)Have a reward.
You have stayed under that killer word count, you have checked and re-checked your work for embarrassing spelling mistakes, and most importantly, you have actually managed to survive an inhumane amount of hours in the library: CONGRATULATIONS! Gather those books, print off that essay and prance out of there, grinning gloatingly at all those poor souls pulling an all-nighter. Now it’s time for celebration: having finally finished working at 8pm (that’s nine WHOLE hours!!!) my charming flatmates met me for a much deserved girly dinner in town, and I’m telling you now that I have never been more relieved to know that I could go and enjoy my weekend at home without even the slightest nagging voice telling me I should be doing some work! Freedom at last!