Fondren, a pleasant surprise

 With deadlines for five finals and a final paper vastly approaching Fondren Library has become my second home.  First semester I would never really leave my room when I wanted to study, but this semester I'm required to have a certain amount of hours logged in for my sorority that I have become a frequent visitor.  And while I try my hardest not to get distracted it is so hard with all of the people around.  It's so easy to watch, and occasionally eaves drop on conversations that go on around me.  When I was growing up I always pictured the library as a silent sanctuary where people went to do work.  But, Fondren is more of a social place than anything else.  It has been my experience that people find a floor or place in the library where they feel comfortable, and thats where they go every time they come back.  I have made numerous friends this semester with people who feel my pain during the nights that turn into mornings.  It's a nice place to go not only to get out of my room, but to get a true sense of community.  Which is kind of ironic because when most people picture the library they picture endless shelves of books.  But for me, the library is place of reassurance.  It is nice to know that I'm not the only one staying in on a Thursday night while the rest of my friends are out having a good time.  I'm sort of bummed that I didn't use Fondren more during my first year.  But, now that I know what really goes on it has been and will continue to be one of my common stomping grounds.