What's on my mind, you ask? The library. Auburn's Ralph Brown Draughon (RBD) Library is one of my favorite and least favorite places on campus. Here's my reasons:
Why I don't like it:
1) The 3rd Floor. I mean... Come on, people. There's no reason to be THAT loud. Seriously, it's almost as loud as Jordan-Hare Stadium on any given Saturday. Slight exaggeration, but you get my point. Yeahhhh it's fun to sit with your friends and talk to them and stuff but for some reason I just can't step foot on the 3rd floor without getting kind of mad. Wow, I sound like a terrible person and I'm definitely complaining too much about something that's not really that bad. Anyways, I'm not a fan of the 3rd floor.
2) Food Options. Specifically Caribou Coffee Because That's All They Have. Let's face it, Caribou is NO Starbuck's. We all know that it's just not the same and it would be better if we had a Starbuck's in the lib. Ok, I'll be fine with Caribou for now. BUT, the food in there is some of the most unappetizing stuff I've ever laid eyes on. The bread is wet, the grapes are brown and always have stems, and usually they're out of the kind of chips that I want. Also, they charge you $.65 for a cup of ice. Plus the line is always, always, always out the door and around the corner during prime study hours. If there were more (even just one more) "restaurants," that would be a massive improvement.
3) Parking. Well, this is a problem everywhere on campus so I won't go into detail because we all know about it. I guess it's kinda hard to build a 10-story parking deck, or add on to a parking lot when there's absolute no more room. I figured I'd throw it in here anyways.
4) Study Room Rental Policies. This one isn't THAT much of a problem, but here's what I have to say. I've only rented a study room (a group one) once. It was going so smoothly, we were getting lots of studying done, and it was just perfect, UNTIL.... our four hours were up and we had to return our key and wait 15 minutes before we could sign up for another one. Ok, ok, ok... I understand the reasoning behind this policy. During exam weeks, I'm sure people used to take up the study rooms for hours and hours, or even days at a time, leaving people to wait and never get one. So, they implemented this wait list thing. It's ok, I guess, but this wasn't a busy library day and it was just very annoying to have to pack everything up, leave them room, turn in our key, get settled somewhere else for like, 30 minutes, then move to another room. Then repeat the same thing four hours later. I just realized that it sounds strange that I was in the library for over 8 hours that day.... It was 13 to be exact. To sum it up, I just wish that when it's not exam week in December or May, the policy could be adjusted. Not gonna happen, though.
Well, that's all of my complaints. Now for the things that I loovveeeeee!
Why I do like it:
1) The 4th Floor. I think I could stay up here for a week straight. It's so quiet and peaceful and I just love it. Aside from right now, I always get tons of work done up here. It's seems like time stops and everybody is in "study world" and forgets that life actually goes on outside of these walls. That kind of sounds horrible but I like it so much. If only there was a Zoe's up here or something... Then it would be perfect. Or a dessert store. The "Newspaper Reading Room" on the 1st floor is great too. It can get loud at times, but it's perfect if you're listening to music. Y'all should check it out sometime.
2) Seeing Friends (Except on the 3rd Floor). It's always exciting to run into someone you know, even if it's only a 3-second convo or a wave from down the hall. Let's just not distract the rest of RBD by screaming.
3) I Am Productive Here. I truly do get so much done in the library. When I'm in my room, I'm tempted to watch TV, sleep (usually), hang out in someone else's room, or even clean. Here, none of that is really a possibility, so my productivity level is through the roof. I love that feeling of, "Well, I studied as much as I could, so I'm sure I'll get a good grade!" Thanks RBD for helping me make my way through college.
Although I have more "hate" than "love" reasons, I really do like the library so much. Just wanted you all to know!
