While foosing out in the lounge, I realized tomorrow was the due date for my computer literacy project. Panicking, I grabbed my laptop and ran to Grainger Library, the only place I knew I could work in solace. Entering the main lobby, to the right laid the collaborative study space, with students scrabbling on the large whiteboards and complaining about their homework. On the other hand, to the left I found Espresso Royale, with the cafe bustling with students munching on sandwiches and furiously typing on their computers. Meanwhile, I headed towards the elevator and hit the 5th button, sending me to the highest, and most isolated floor, Grainger has to offer.
What I love about Grainger is its uniqueness. From the basement to the 4th floor, you will find a variety of environments, facilities, and amenities suited towards creating the optimal learning environment. There are the computer stations located throughout the basement, enabling students to work directly from the library itself. Furthermore, it's home to one of CITL's testing facilities, a place to schedule and take quizzes, midterms, and finals for your UofI classes. If you just want some peace and quiet, you're free to explore any one of Grainger's 2-4th floors. Dedicated solely to individual study, you will always be able to find a place to work.
The best part, however, is that Grainger is open 24 hours a day every weekday. If you want to pull an all-nighter and finish that MP due tomorrow, you're encouraged to. Or you can get together with a couple of friends and spend the night borrowing a GPU and playing videogames till you drop. The possibilities at Grainger are endless, and time and time again I find myself sitting in that distinct corner on the 4th floor working on essays, projects, and as of recently: college apps.
Right across from Uni, Grainger is easily accessible from basically anywhere on campus. Whether during Uni Period or coming back from my UofI class, the thought of lounging at Grainger never ceases to cross my mind. I've spent as much, if not more, time staring at my computer in my usual spot than I have playing Foosball in the lounge, and that's saying a lot. From the satisfaction of finally completing a HW problem to the relaxation of playing League with the boys, I've made countless memories at Grainger over the two years I've been at Uni. And I'm grateful for that.
Grainger is one of my favorite places to go if I need to get something done. I feel like the top floors are set up in a way that facilitates quiet individual work really well. I remember in the days leading up to Nov 1 I would camp up these for hours grinding out essays and I was probably more productive there than I would be anywhere else. The amount of work I got done was crazy.
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