A guided tour to get some personal space on MRU campus
by Mayan Freeborn
Photo by Mayan Freeborn. A guide to find some much needed rest or study space on MRU campus. Hey, it's hard sometimes.
Open your eyes and wipe the drool off your face. Sleeping can be one of the best ways to pass the time. Not only will you feel refreshed, you’ll realize that you’ve just breezed through five hours of your study time. Don’t panic just yet. You’ve avoided looking completely foolish in the eyes of your Mount Royal University peers. That is, if you haven’t thrown your papers all over the floor and unbuttoned your pants in your sleep. However, there are some areas in the school where you can go to scratch your butt and snooze during your study time that do not involve heavy peer traffic.
One such study area is the spot by the Leacock and Wright Theatres on the second floor. There are eight or so teal chairs and a couple of tables of different sizes, and although the area can be busy during the day, the space allows for quiet studying and an area where students can nap. As old and perhaps as unpleasant-looking as they may seem, these holey and stained but deep-set and comfortable chairs are just begging to be sat in. So take a seat and crack open your book. It’s quiet. You’ll retain some sanity and peace for studying unless the couple beside you starts making out.
The chairs are also moveable and although they are not wheeled “spinners,” you’ll be able to drag them with relative ease. But beware; there are instances when either theatre holds a function. You may be kicked out or the area may be filled with guests when you arrive. Where will you go next? Walk down the hall towards the recreation centre where you will find Jugo Juice, chairs, tables and couches. Pull up a chair to a table and stuff your head with knowledge. But if you’d like something a little more comfortable, walk past the cougar statue and there are some pea-coloured couches. If you’re looking for privacy, head towards the bleachers that are in front of the swimming pool’s viewing window. The bleachers are usually quiet. Yes, they are wood so bring your jacket to sit on or turn your backpack into a pillow.
The short wall separating the bleachers from the rest of the space will give you a decent backrest and some privacy. Even your friends won’t find you. Spread out your books, break out your laptop and get to work. Just be sure to have your laptop fully charged since there are no plug-ins. If you are using flash cards, it’s a quiet place to memorize them. You can even take a break to watch people floundering about in the pool. If you’re studying late at night, families may come to watch the swimming classes, so this may be your cue to leave. If you have the time and energy you can make your way from the main campus building to the EC building on the east side. Although the walk may be strenuous with your five books, laptop and that big lunch you packed, it will be worth it in the end. Enter the building and head to the second floor.
Tucked away at south end of the building is an area with comfy chairs, tables and far less student traffic than the main building. There are functions held regularly in the EC building, but you may find the majority of them are held on the main floor, so you’ll be safe. Unlike the chairs at the Leacock and Wright Theatres, these ones are newer and cleaner. There is even a nice view of the east end of the campus from the window where you can attempt to grab the attention of passing friends by vigorously pounding on the glass. However, restrain yourself. The people studying or sleeping around you might throw a book at your head, or security will have you removed. All attention-grabbing aside, settle in and be prepared for a day of hard studying or napping. If you’re not so keen on the walk to the EC building, especially in the winter, the EA building can be a nice alternative. The building is busy, but if you head up to the second level in the late afternoon, you will probably be able to find a little couch space for yourself at either end of the building.
As long as you don’t mind sharing the sitting space with strangers, you can put your feet up on a table in front of you and crack open a textbook. The study areas can be noisier than the EC building itself during the day, but if you’re lucky and on the shorter side, you can lay down sideways on the couch and study until 10 p.m. Just keep in mind, if you fall asleep here you will be noticed. Although these study spaces are generally quiet, there will be times where they are not. Mid-afternoon and into the evening are usually the best times to search them out. So study and snooze away, students. No one will make fun of you for passing out on top of your books, or at least not loud enough to wake you up.
