For students attending BYU–Hawaii, the Joseph F. Smith Library on campus is a great place to go study, access books, and find or use other materials to benefit their studies. However, not all students use the library and would rather stay in their dorms.
According to Gideon Tebaou Nabuti from Kiribati, a sophomore majoring in political science and history who also works in the library, said, “During the beginning and ends of the semester it gets the busiest, but it gets pretty chaotic during exams and midterms. Because of all the technology and resources that are available, it makes more sense to go to the library than purchase your own books.”
However, even with all these resources at the student’s disposal, other students find it more beneficial to stay at home to study and do homework than to go to the library. Tyger Wasson, a freshman from Kahuku majoring in biology, said, “I’m a very social person and I find myself wanting to be social when I go to the library instead of just staying home. It helps me stay more focused on my homework instead of focusing on people I might see.”
Mitch Layne, a sophomore majoring in computer science from Washington, agreed with Wasson. He said, “I feel like when I’m trying to study I want to be comfortable and alone. I think it’s more distracting in the library.”
Lose Tukuafu, a freshman majoring in exercise and sport science from Tonga, said, “I’m one of those types of people who listens to music when I’m studying and stuff. I like to have my own space to do whatever and I get distracted easily when I’m with people.”
Tukuafu added the ability for her to have her own space is essential for her to do well in her studies.
Although these students prefer to stay at home, there are students who find themselves in need of the library and find it beneficial to their studies. Ashley Howell, a sophomore majoring in biology from California, said, “It’s quieter and you are able to focus more because you are surrounded by other people working hard and it helps to minimize distractions that could be going on in your room.”
Howell finds the library is a mediator in controlling what goes on around her, so she is able to focus on the task at hand. She said, “Plus, they have all the textbooks you would need so you don’t have to carry them around all the time while trying to find a quiet place to study.”
In Howell’s case her organic chemistry textbook was expensive, but because the library on campus allows students to check out books for a certain amount of time, she has been able to access the textbook whenever she needs to read for class.
Ellie Miskin, a freshman majoring in social work from California, said despite “being able to sit at a table and spread out [her] stuff and get to work,” she says she goes to the library for other reasons. Miskin said, “Honestly, I go to the library because it has [air conditioning]. I think it’s harder for me to work in my room because it gets hot and stuffy.” She also says when she stays home and studies, she’s more likely to procrastinate by watching movies on Netflix or videos on YouTube than work on homework.