Library all-nighter advice

The concept of all-nighters is far from foreign. In high school, I’d hole up in my room into the wee hours by lamplight trying to balance my A.P. Biology book on my stomach, interrupted only when my mom, clad in a pink bathrobe, shuffled down the hall at 3 a.m. and hissed at me to go to sleep.

College (job included) has brought many more all-nighters, but has provided a new environment: a well-lit, robe-clad mother-free library.

I have to say, on the whole I prefer it. Just sitting in a library makes me feel more productive. But with more freedom comes more choices.

Second semester is said to be harder than the first for the majority of freshmen and with midterms around the corner, I thought I would offer up my humble advice and observations on library all-nighter options.

West Side vs. East Side
The difference here is obvious, the West Wing is for those who study better with noise, or who are doing a group study. East Wing is covered by a strict silence, which will freak you out around 4 a.m. when a nervous looking student walks by you, announces that you’re probably the only one on the floor besides him, and then leaves.

The preferred strategy is to begin the night in East and hit your stride. When you need a break, take the time to move to West. It also doesn’t hurt for safety reasons. I’ve heard mysterious clicking on East Wing’s second floor.

Just saying.

Comfy chairs vs. Individual cubbies vs. Desks
The ground and second floors on the West Wing have couches and comfy armchairs, some with their own foot rests. There’s no doubt they beat a flat wooden surface five hours in, but I’ve never managed to go a full night without nodding off at least once. They’re ideal for reading earlier in the evening when you’re awake.

Individual cubbies are good for blocking out distractions, unless you picked one with a computer connected to the Internet, in which case you’re still at risk. But the lack of arm room is concerning. Some studying requires online material, textbooks, handouts and a spiral. Crowding it in is fine in a pinch, but not for a marathon study session.

Tables might be the best option. However, if you take one all to yourself, it’s a bit excessive, and selfish. Either get a few friends, or only use a table when it’s clear it won’t inconvenience anyone else.

Food and beverage
After 8 p.m. your metabolism slows down and food eaten after this time tends to build up fat in … hey, look, Sparty’s has white chocolate pretzels now! Where’s my MSU Federal Credit Union debit card?

Telling people to quiet down vs. Moving
If you choose to study in the West Wing of the library thinking you’ll hear hushed voices and minimal talking, you’re kidding yourself, particularly on the first and second floors. Asking someone to be quiet sometimes works and sometimes doesn’t. After all, if you wanted silence you should have picked the East Wing.

Although, be warned West Wing talkers, there are some short brunette girls who will tell you to be quiet and get angry if you don’t.

Riding the Night Owl vs. Walking
The Night Owl runs from 2-7 a.m. Monday through Friday, and runs from 2-9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday (Friday and Saturday the library closes before the Night Owl begins). Simply give them a call at (517) 432-8888 and they will take you anywhere on campus.

The service’s waiting time varies. From the time I call to the time it takes for the bus to arrive at Brody complex has taken anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour. But, unless you live relatively close to the library, the Night Owl is worth it. The cost of the ride is a toss up, one driver requires nothing and the other needs the normal 60 cent fare, or bus pass card.

Here is the spot I warn you that sleep is important for any college student, but at the risk of sounding like a total hypocrite, I won’t. All I’m going to say is five hour energy shots beat Red Bull by far.

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