It's that time of year…no, not the "most wonderful time" quite yet, but that time of the year when the Wellesley Starbucks has to work extra hard to supply all of Wellesley College with enough caffeine to pull consecutive all-nighters in order to finish papers on time. It's the time of year when girls frantically shuffle through index cards over their breakfast sandwiches, trying to cram any little last bit of information into their craniums before their final exams.
Welcome to final exam time. We aren't quite there yet, but we're getting close enough. This is the last week of classes. In order to survive long library hours, I have compiled a list of tips for you.
1. Get to the library early or during a meal time in order to claim the best private room you can. Props to whoever gets the coveted 4th floor room with the window. I envy you.
2. Bring a water bottle in order to stay hydrated. Water and sleep are essential during these weeks.
3. Bring change for the vending machine. You never know when you might need a Diet Coke or a little snack to keep you from crashing.
4. Don’t forget your laptop charger…
5. keep your phone on silent.
6. If you’re studying with friends, don’t talk if you’re in a common space. If you’re planning on studying with 20 of your friends, don’t go to the Sanger room. Everyone can hear you, even though you think it’s a private room. In fact, don’t go to the library at all. The silent rule doesn’t seem to work with that many people.
7. Indulge every once in awhile. Ice cream sounds good tonight? Go for it.
8. Please, please shower.
9. If you can't focus anymore, either go back to your room and sleep OR listen to pump up music and look at pretty pictures online to refresh. Or write your holiday wish list.
10.Don’t be afraid to ask the reference librarians questions about researching topics. They are amazing.
11. Try switching study locations. The fireplace room in the Lulu is a nice, relaxing place to study if you can stand a little background noise. I also like Pendleton, Tower Great Hall, and of course, Starbucks (if you need to get off campus, Starbucks and Peets Coffee are perfect).
12. If you really need to get off campus, try going to the Boston Public Library, MIT or Harvard libraries.
13. Watch movies or do something mindless after a long day of studying. I plan to watch Love Actually this weekend with friends.
To all of you who applied early decision: Friday is the big day, huh? Best of luck to everyone!
The Boston Ballet’s Nutcracker on Friday was the best performance of The Nutcracker I have ever seen. Here’s a picture of my friend Tessa in the Boston Opera House.
Winter Tri-Society Formal on Saturday was also wonderful! Almost all of my friends were there and everyone looked gorgeous.
Can’t wait to go home and eat home-cooked meals and sleep in my own bed (we're so close!). Until then, you can find me in the library.
xoxo
Kara