BILLIE HU,
1st year – Master Of Library And Information Studies
Favourite spot: Research Commons at Walter C. Koerner Library
Q: What type of things do you look for in a study space?
I need my study space to be really quiet, since I am a hypersensitive person. It’s very disturbing to me if people talk or eat loudly or if there are any strong odours. I also need my study space to be near food sources. So, if I am in a rush to do my project I need there to be places where I can grab a quick bite. Around here there’s a Tim Hortons and sushi, so I can grab that and continue my studies or my project. I also need quite a few bathroom breaks, so proximity to clean washrooms is really important. I also look for spaces with good views, since I did LASIK eye surgery I’ve had very dry eyes, so I obey the 20-20-20 rule, which means I have to look 20 feet away, every 20 mins for 20 seconds, so good views really help me study.
“I need my study space to be really quiet, since I am a hypersensitive person.”
Q: How long did it take you to find this spot?
I actually didn’t know about this spot and I did my undergrad here as well!… I heard about this spot at orientation at the beginning of the term and that there were study spaces for graduate students. This place is also usually not packed, so you can always find a seat here.
“I also prefer this location because when I need to do projects with my classmates, we’re able to book a study room here. The great thing about them are that they are very private and specifically for graduate students.”
Q: What makes this spot special and why do you choose it over other locations?
Since washrooms are very important to me, the washrooms here are private and individual rooms. The views here are the best views in my opinion, the views are symmetrical and it’s very comforting to look outside since there’s a lot of greenery. I’ve heard people mention the 4th and 5th floors of the Nest, where there a few seats by big windows, but I feel like there’s not enough greenery to look at and there’s always construction or events happening as well.
I also prefer this location because when I need to do projects with my classmates, we’re able to book a study room here. The great thing about them are that they are very private and specifically for graduate students. It gives us a lot of space and time to do our projects without disturbing others. I especially like the rooms that have windows, so I can look out from there.
“The views here are the best views in my opinion, the views are symmetrical and it’s very comforting to look outside since there’s a lot of greenery.”
Q: Besides studying here, are there other resources available in the space that you use?
Yes, I use the digital scholarship lab for access to Adobe Acrobat and also other software on the computers. I also use the bigger monitors in the lab to work on long projects, which helps ease my eyes. I also attend the workshops here. I’ve yet to book a 1-on-1 consultation with the Research Commons, but I know they offer lots of research help, which I think students find helpful.
I’ve also used their printers here. There’s also a big classroom that I’ve yet to book, but you can book it for your own presentation or your own event on the 5th floor. I think it’s a great resource in case I need to practice a presentation or pitch. There’s also a water fountain here I can access to fill my bottle to keep hydrated.
Q: What are your studying must-haves?
Good views and nice chairs. I have lower back problems, so chairs are really important to me and there are so many options here; ones to study in and also ones to relax in. I need a lot of stuff to study, so I have my MacBook, iPad, AirPods, pen, pencil and notebook. I also prefer the tables with outlets in them, so it’s easy to charge my devices.
Q: What’s the best time of the day to study here?
I’ve never really seen this place so packed that you can’t find a seat, so I think you can come anytime if you need a space, but of course if you want it to be really quiet, I would say right when it opens at 7:30am and there’s nobody else.
Q: How much time do you spend here on average?
My classes are usually at 2:00pm, so I come at 7:30am-8:00am and study here for about 5-6 hours. I usually break in between to grab food. The longest time I’ve spent here was 9 hours, but I don’t study consecutively. I like to take breaks and walk around; there’s a space near a giant window where I like to do some light stretching and look at the views.
“In this space, I can really focus on my studies and also relax.”
Q: Has remote and hybrid learning changed how you study or how often you use the library?
I’m a very “campus” person. I didn’t come to campus a lot during my undergrad, so now, even when I don’t have class, I will come to study. This place really helps me catch up with my work. When I’m at home there are more distractions and I sometimes get lazy. It’s also quite bright, so it’s really uplifting being here. In this space, I can really focus on my studies and also relax.