Part of the fun of living at college is being surrounded by friends at all times, or at least your contemporaries. Meeting up for coffee often means bumping into friends on your way to the library, and movie nights translate into walking from one dorm room to the next. But no matter how social you are, sometimes you just need some alone time to relax, de-stress, mull over a problem, or even just mope. Whether you want to be left in solitude so that you can write a paper or burst into tears without anyone asking what’s wrong, it can be a challenge to find a truly isolated spot on a campus that’s bustling with young people.
The library at first seems like an obvious place to find peace and quiet, but in college, the library can quickly turn into one of the most social spots on campus. Even if you venture past the cafe and computer center, you’ll bump into friends, professors and dorm-mates as they search for books or set up camp in every little corner of the library to study or nap. A couple of places in the college library that are often dead — or at least less crowded — are around special collections, the children’s section, and the bottom floors that contain old archives and multimedia. If multimedia rooms are crowded, students are often wearing headphones or watching movies for class, and aren’t worried about what you’re doing. Also inquire in the library about "renting" out a private, sound-proof room. Depending on the demand at your university, you may have to use those rooms for group projects, but it’s worth asking.
If you just want some time to yourself in your own room, find out when your roommate is going to be in class or at a meeting. If it’s at a time you’re normally meeting with a study group or having lunch, take advantage of this time to hide away in your room quietly, without interruptions. Having an hour or two alone to think can do tremendous things for your perspective and focus.
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