I spent 24 hours in the library and I will never feel the same
The library became my living nightmare
As Shakespeare said: “Some are born great, some achieve greatness”, and some spend 24 hours in the library. I may or may not be considering legal action for the mental toll this has taken on me. Let me talk you through my experience.
Home sweet Home, Royal Holloway Campus. We all recognise the stunning façade of founders and its beautiful nightly glow. Little did I know, this campus, or more specifically, the library, was soon to become a living nightmare.
10:00 am
I start the day off with sleep deprived optimism. I am listening to Tame Impala’s new album. Life is good.
12:00am
I have eaten my first snack- chocolate rice cakes. I have chosen snacks which I both enjoy and will not leave me feeling sluggish. I am at awe at my careful planning and at how much I am enjoying myself. 9/10 for Tame Impala. I am on top of the world.
2:00pm
I have eaten my lunch and my legs are beginning to ache. I take a walk around the bookshelves – side note, I have never actually opened any of the books or seen anyone else open them. I start to wonder if this is a cry for help. I eat my second snack feeling subdued and listen to Beach House.
3:00pm
I have come to the conclusion that there are three types of library outfit; the people who are still convinced Egham is in London, baggy joggers and tight joggers. I have not included myself in any category purely because I’m pretty sure no-one else here is insane enough to plan to sit here for 24 hours.
7:00pm
The person sat behind me is eating a tuna sandwich and the level of rage it is inducing is troubling. I have started to watch study motivation channels out what can only be sadism.
12:00pm
It is the next day. I have officially done half of my prison sentence. I have bought iced coffee hoping that this will chemically induce an emotional rebirth. The caffeine makes me jittery and I start ‘Mindhunter’ season 2 with the intention that serial killers will help me to see the silver lining.
2:00am
A couple are making out on the sofa downstairs. They are both wearing joggers.
10:00am
I pack up my things. I return to my room. I shower. I start to put the pieces of my life together. I realise I have lost something that I may never get back. I eat breakfast with my window open even though it is -1 outside. I breathe it in, it is the air of a free woman.
I spent 24 hours in the library. Did I go insane? Yes. Did I watch a TV programme about serial killers to see the bright side of my situation? Yes. Can I ever listen to Katy Perry again? Probably not. Quite frankly, not a lot was gained from this except the gratitude to COTS for serving iced coffee at such ungodly hours. And fundamentally, isn’t that the Uni experience? Drinking caffeine at 3am while questioning your degree and your future prospects? Above pic is me the next day – if you wonder why I don’t look rougher, you can zoom in to see the black pits of my undereyes.