Pros and cons for writing an essay in a library
So you have a new assignment and you have to write an essay, but you may not be sure whether you should write it in the library or somewhere else. There is really no right or wrong answer; you have to examine the pros and cons of writing it in a library and then consider the other options open to you, and whether they are better choices.
Writing in a library: the pros
The first positive point about writing an essay in a library is that libraries are quiet places without many distractions. In a library you will be surrounded by other people working hard on their own essays, and this could help to spur you on. There’s nothing like glancing at another student and seeing how much they’ve achieved in two hours and it giving your motivation a kick start when you realize you’ve only written three lines and really need to get on with it. The library can be a particular haven if your home environment is busy and noisy (particularly if you have younger siblings), or if you need to work alone, away from friends that may not be as serious about grades as you are.
The other primary advantage of writing in a library is the resources that will be open to you. First of all, you will naturally have an array of books that you would not be able to access from home, and books are essential to any good essay. But library resources these days expand far beyond printed books. Many libraries now have e-books and online resources that you can access to help with your essay, as well as librarian, researchers and other people to point you in the right direction with your research.
Writing in a library: the cons
A library should be a peaceful haven, but unfortunately this isn’t always the case. Many public libraries now have activities on for local children and families, and these activities won’t often involve being quiet. In a school or college library, you could find yourself surrounded by students just there for a chat, or even sat eating their lunch together. If your institution isn’t strict about this kind of behaviour, then trying to write an essay in the library could just be a total nightmare.
Resources are also dependent on how good your library is. If the range of books and other resources isn’t great, then it invalidates one of the main reasons to head to the library in the first place. It might be better to order your books in advance; you can often pick them up cheap online or at second-hand bookstores. Some libraries only have old computers that run very slowly and could make you wish that you were on your own one at home, so this is something to think about too. The final disadvantage is that if you work well while being able to have the odd chat with friends, the library isn’t the greatest option.
The other options
The obvious place to work, if not in the library, is at home. This can be either in your bedroom or in another quiet room in the house, but you should try and sit up at a desk if you can. This is more about the mind-set that it will put you in than anything else. The advantage of being at home rather than in the library is you can play music aloud and you will be generally more comfortable in your home environment. You’ll also be more likely to take regular, necessary breaks, and you can grab something to eat and drink more easily. On the other hand, there are more distractions and it can be hard to unwind at the end of the day because home and study have been combined into one place.
Other options include friends’ houses, if you enjoy studying with company, or anything from a coffee shop to public transport, if you thrive when working in a noisier environment. Some people do prefer to be somewhere loud and busy; it’s just how they work best. The thing that you have to remember is that no place is right or wrong, but you just have to find the right place for you.