Brutalism, llamas and fairies

I must admit that I am not the kind of a student who can study with ease in noisy settings. The environment one occupies whilst studying for up to fifteen hours per day has in my opinion a great impact on one’s general disposition, let alone any upcoming exams. That is why, despite resisting for some time to leave my flat, after incessant noise coming from a construction site nearby in the morning and persistent rehearsing of my neighbour preparing for his clarinet exams in the evening, I decided it would be best for me to find a new place to study over the weeks preceding my exams.

Finding the perfect place to study is rather complicated. First spot anyone would think of is the library. The main library at the University is in the centre of the main campus. It was built in 1960’s with brutalist features- which makes it pretty clear that it is not a sight one is looking forward to on a Monday morning whilst looking for a nice place to study. The atmosphere inside further consolidates the grim mood set by its exterior. Infinite rows of desks fill up quite quickly in the morning and as more seats are taken up, the atmosphere becomes even more tense. Occasionally, one hears sighs of frustration coming from tables nearby or subdued sounds of crunching, as many are too anxious to eat their lunches in the cafeteria. These are often met with glaring looks of contempt coming from fellow students, or sometimes even with a reprehension from guards who periodically monitor students' behaviour at the library.

Partly due to the reasons explained above and partly thanks to my curiosity, I decided to study at the Hugh Robson Building instead. After entering its premises, it becomes clear why so many students call it a nuclear bunker. Whilst I have never been inside one, I can only imagine that the mood is similar. Study rooms and pods are situated in the basement of the building. Thanks to this and thick wooden doors, one can experience an audiovisual isolation from the outside world. This is great on one hand, as one can properly focus on studies at hand. On the other the time there passes differently than it does above, as if the social isolation was not already a big issue for students prior to exams. One reconciliation, though, are University fairies. Mystical beings found predominately in study rooms or labs, waiting for some students to get up from their desks and take break, just to place a motivational, hand-painted note on their desks. Even I got one. Whilst I am sure the intention was pure, the quote ‚Failure is the condiment giving success its sweetness ‘‘did not quite boost my confidence before my exams.

After a few weeks spent there and on other places, I took up my friend on an offer to study together. Despite of it not being the ideal way of studying in the early stages of revision, it can be a great way for one to see the approaching exams in a clearer light and it surely reminded me of how important it is to maintain a decent work-life balance, even during exam period. Luckily, the University does a lot to make this possible. Some may find it relaxing to just go on a stroll to a park.  Some, like myself, just prefer to take few extra fencing classes. Others like to take part in therapets and walk a cat, dog, or even a llama. Thanks to these varied ways one can relax, the exam period becomes bearable and at times even enjoyable.

Edinburgh’s sunnier day

My sparring partner preparing for a match

Even after three years I get lost.

 

 

Brutalismus, lamy a školní víly
Brutalismus, lamy a školní víly
Brutalismus, lamy a školní víly

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