Students scrap over library spots

You know end of year exams are nigh when you see female students almost slugging it out in the central library.

Today in the middle of writing this I actually saw a semi-physical fight break out between two girls over a computer space in the information services building.

One of the girls had evidently ignored the line of people waiting to use the space and cut in front of them and sat down.

"You took my place," the girl who was first in line complained, and dragged the queue-jumper's chair backwards.

All eyes in the vicinity swivelled towards the action, doubtless wondering if it would escalate.

The attention this attracted was enough to scare the queue-jumper off and she got up and made a hasty exit.

Whatever complaints are made about students, no one can argue they know how to put effort in when it counts.

No matter how early you arrive at university, there always seem to be several hundred or so that have beaten you to it.

And presumably, there are several hundred that have beaten them.

The university's facilities, as fantastic as they are, always seem to leave students without a place to study (hence the computer deliberations), even with the redoing of the Law Library and the continual add-ons such as more tables and power outlets.

Final-year exams are much more serious for than mid-year ones, as these exams offer ultimatums that determine future careers for many.

These include anyone who is studying first-year health science in order to get into courses such as dentistry, physiotherapy and medicine.

First-year law has their 100% final-year exams.

Several humanities subjects including surveying also have cut-offs.

Honours students of every discipline have to hand in their dissertations or research essays.

It also can signal the end of an era for many, completing their under- or post-graduate degree In an effort to downplay the contagious stress, some lecturers make their final week ‘fun' for the students.

After a short recap in my French class, the last bit of education we were subjected to was watching Amèlie. Brilliant.

However this doesn't always have an effect, with some people handling the stress worse than others.

The sporadic bursts of fantastic weather can help or hinder a student's studies.

Some abandon their revision altogether and relocate to Union Lawn.  On the other hand, there are those who get more motivated to finish studying more quickly before it rains again.

Then you have three months or more to lie on Union Lawn.

That is unless people are stupid enough to do summer school.

Like me, apparently.

Emily Menkes is a first year student and ODT Online reporter