This post was authored by undergraduate student Catherine Luquetta for Professor Christine Wilson's ENG 335 assignment, Writing as Social Action. It is part of a “Student Speaks” series on the RCL blog.
🎵 Going to the chapel and we’re … gonna get married. 🎵
Actually, we’re going there to do homework!
As a commuting student here at Dominican, I am not always able to stay at home to get effective work done and have had to find other spaces to be productive. When I need a place to do classwork and enjoy the great things that comes with college late at night, Rosary Chapel and Noonan Reading Room have been the best spots to work. On the rough weeks leading up to finals, the place to find me while I study and do my notes is the Reading Room. I am grateful it is always so open and welcoming.
Not only is the area pretty to admire, but it is quiet enough to not be distracted from people conversing. Although many people prefer to study at the library here at Dominican University, I prefer Noonan since it is open 24 hours and has an enjoyable ambiance. The atmosphere of Noonan Reading Room is so comforting. The coziness of the chairs makes me feel like I am at my grandparents' house. This unique space has the feeling of acceptance since anyone can go there to study, admire the architecture, or just sit there quietly. In the times I must look up from my computer while working, I find myself gazing at the stained-glass windows. When you are in Noonan or the Chapel during the daytime, there are perfect moments where you can catch sunbeams reflecting through the stained-glass windows onto the ground. Having a place to look at nice things when I am taking an eye break from my computer allows me to recoup my concentration. This also helps me when I am in need of inspiration to create new ideas.
In the library, depending on the location, the options are limited for scenic seating. When you look up from your computer screen, you are most likely going to see shelf after shelf of books. If you are lucky enough to get one of the corner spaces in the library, you can catch a view of the outside of campus. However, this is unreliable. Depending on the time you find that seat, it may be dark outside which limits the view.
Last fall semester, right before finals rolled around, I had not found a place to sit where I could concentrate on my work without having to worry what time the library closed or if my seat was appealing to the eye. The library was a good place to work, but I had to worry if I was going to finish my work before they closed. Then I would have to pack up all my stuff up and move to another location, or for that matter, maybe head home. Getting a late-night cram session at the library means getting it done by 11pm Sunday through Thursday. At Noonan, I was able to stay until 3am completing the notes I needed for upcoming exams. There was no stressing about the time I had to move which would inevitably cause me to lose concentration. Having brought an assignment from a blank page on my computer to over a page of notes and ideas really helped me realize that I value certain spaces on campus.
The only drawbacks I see are the lack of accessible outlets without an extension cord, table lamps that are decoration only, and an awkward table to chair ratio. Other than these things, Noonan Reading Room is perfect for enjoying a solo study session. It also works well for group studying with tables comfortably seating up to six people and additional space for chairs besides.
Cover photo was taken from https://www.dom.edu/alumni/faith-spirituality/masses
