October 2006
The Library

It was about three weeks ago that I “discovered” the library. It wasn’t the actual location of the library on the Canisius campus that took me so long into the semester to find, but rather its incredible use as a studying tool.

It all started with the need to do research for a Comparative Government paper, and in the first three hours that I spent in that library I realized that I was more productive, focused, and satisfied with the work I had done than I had been as of yet. It was after that first three hour session that I became known as the “library addict” on my floor, a nickname that, at first, sounds bad, but it really isn’t.

I had realized that the library is the best place for me to study, and that when I am there I am able to get work done so much faster, than I am in my dorm room. In my dorm room there is the constant reminder of the world outside, the hall filled with open doors waiting to be stood in and leaned on for chatting,  there is the laughing, and the weekend planning I can hear and want to be part of.  The library detaches me from all of that, I am left alone and all I can hear is the occasional muffling of voices, an embarrassing cell phone ring, or a book falling, however none of these are true distractions.

A kiss for my buddy Gretchen at the birthday party!

To be honest, it did take me about a week to really get used to using the library at a reasonable level, and not allowing it to become the ONLY place I could study. With this realization the nickname has worn away, and my floor mates are once again glad to have more frequent company. Yet, as a freshman I realize that it is often hard to find a balance between the new work load and new distractions that you have. For me the bond that my Bosch floor has formed, the mix of all our high energy, spontaneous ways, and overall outrageousness makes it so much easier to be distracted. However, when I go to the library and finish my work I am then able to better enjoy their company without worry.

Bosch 4 is "da floor"!



Barbara's September 2006 journal