I have lived and studied at Boston College for almost a month, and I would like to introduce one of my favorite places on Newton campus to you – it is the quiet study room in the basement of my residence hall, in which I have had some wonderful memories. The quiet room and the first-floor lounge are the places shared by students living in Duchesne Hall, and the difference between the two places is that students are not allowed to make big noises in the quiet room, while they may have casual conversations in the lounge. My roommate sleeps very early, so every day after she goes to bed, I have to find another place to stay for a few hours. I cannot think of a better place than the quiet room because it is really a great place to do my homework and relax after a stressful school day. The quietness enables me to be more focused on the work I need to do, and my efficiency is greatly improved when I am studying in that room. Sometimes when I take a break at intervals during homework time, I close my eyes and take a deep breath of the fresh air. I can hear the constant light noise from the air-conditioner, but it is not annoying. The sound makes me satisfied because the air-conditioner provides me with a cool and comfortable place to stay for a long time instead of dealing with the extreme heat in the dorm.
After 12 o’clock, some students come down to the room in droves with their sheets and blankets. Due to the high temperature in our dorms, some choose to sleep in the quiet room at night. They will turn half of the lights off without disturbing the students who are still working in the other half of the room, which makes me feel at home – we are like family members who live in the same place and take care of each other – we may adjust our sitting positions at will, we may take a nap at any time, and we may enjoy the snacks brought by our friends. Sometimes when people finish their work and are ready to leave, they say goodnight to the people around them softly. The cozy atmosphere really attracts me and makes me come to the room more often.
Studying in the quiet study room has become part of my college life. I can gain some measure of inner peace when I am in that room by calming myself down and thinking about what I did in the previous day and what I need to focus on the next day. Without being distracted by the heat and the noisy sounds outside the room, I can concentrate on what is more important to me. I love the place so much, but I wonder if there is a way to communicate effectively with other people in the quiet room without breaking the silence?
Stories From Helen 