The Initial Panic
Your exams are next week. Your assignments are due tomorrow. They aren’t, but with the large quantity of panic attacks you’ve had entering Week 11, they may as well be.
Let’s be honest; studying is hard. Sitting down and reading a book is a concept that was eradicated from our minds on the balconies of Albufeira, Puerto Del Carmen, or Magaluf in the post-leaving cert epiphany. With the busy life of a Dublin City University student, it can be hard to dedicate time to, well, being a Dublin City University student.
Fear not, I have a way. It’s time to introduce you to the concept of a library lock-in. The answer to your studying woes.
What Is Being ‘Locked In’?
Many people have varying descriptions of what a ‘lock-in’ is, or what ‘being locked in’ truly means. The most common in Ireland is the traditional pub lock-in, where patrons, and the unfortunate bar staff who have been dealing with said patrons all night, stay in the pub once the doors are shut to enjoy a night of engaging conversation (binge drinking). Those types of lock-ins are for post-exams.
The term ‘locked in’ or ‘locking in’ originates from American sports. If a player is performing exceptionally well, such as Stephen Curry dropping 50 points, or Cooper Dejean not letting a single ball past him, they would be described by the commentators as ‘locked in.’ Well, young student, it’s time for you to lock in.
How Do I Begin A Library Lock-In?
When you wake up, in the November darkness, you must tell yourself that it’s time to lock in. That’s the first step: commitment. With that done, get yourself over to the campus Londis.
After a quick hello to Dave and crew, grab yourself your favourite energy drink (summer edition Red Bull is my personal recommendation), some overnight oats or a nice breakfast sandwich, a big bottle of water and a sweet treat. A car can’t run without fuel, and you, today, are a car.
Make your way over to the O’Reilly library on the Glasnevin campus – if you’re a Pats student, Cregan. After a trek home and making your way back because you forgot your student ID, make your way up to the quiet area on the top floor, wander through the empty seats and desks filled with the entire Apple ecosystem, and find a comfy seat near the window.
All the chairs are the same, but this is a mindset game. The seat is, and will be, comfy.
Take out the books or turn on the laptop. It’s go time.
Am I Allowed A Break?
Using a formula donated to me by a physics student, I have calculated that you may watch one TikTok or Instagram reel at the top of every hour, per 100 words written. For those just studying, you are allowed a base of 5 every hour.
If you don’t watch short format content – who am I kidding – of course you do.
Now it’s time to have the sweet treat, as a reward for the punishment you’re putting your body through. After a minimum of three hours, it’s time to break out the key and end this suffering.
When Will I Notice Results?
You will have two separate realisations of results from the great library lock-in.
The first moment is on the bus home. When you sit down on the E1, E2 – definitely not the 19 because it doesn’t ever arrive – or 1, you will feel pride. A sense of pride is usually the first noticeable effect, due to its irregularity. You have done a good job, you’ve gotten work done, and most importantly, you have made progress.
The second moment is in the new year when you realise you’ve one less resit exam to do.
Does A Library Lock-In Work?
You will either end up with a building named after you on campus due to your academic excellence, or you will end up in NuBar before 11am. Only one way to find out which type of student you are, which admittedly might’ve been a funnier article.
Good luck with your exams, you will most likely need it.
