Reading, Review and Recitation Week, better known as dead week, is finally here. This means we get to cram a semester’s worth of information into our heads. While most students find it tempting to study within the comforts of their own residence halls or apartments, this method may not be so conducive to studying without distractions. The answer to that? The libraries. Though dead week is definitely stressful, here are six essentials for camping out at the libraries that can help you feel prepared for your study grind. 

Post-it notes

Post-it notes come in handy when you have some quick ideas you want to jot down while reviewing your notes. They can be a great tool when annotating those long readings or simply for doodling. They stick to any surface — whether it’s the pages of your book, your laptop screen or your study space. 

Extra sweater or blanket

Temperatures in the libraries can be very unpredictable. Sometimes, they feel like Los Angeles in the summer, yet other times they feel like Chicago in the winter. In case it does get really cold, an extra sweater or blanket will go a long way, and it’s a cozy addition for nap breaks. 

Pillow

Speaking of nap breaks, a small pillow that can fit in your bag is also a must. No one wants to rest their head on their arms or on those cold, hard tables. A pillow will make sure you cushion the weight of your stressed head, making the most out of your sleep. 

Color-coded highlighters

If you’re still using printed resources such as books, color-coded highlighters can aid in compartmentalizing your thoughts. This can prove to be very helpful in retaining information, especially when you have to memorize a lot of theories and terms. 

Lots of scratch paper

Whether it’s to write out solutions to math problems or create a mind map of philosophical concepts, having scratch paper on hand is always useful. At the end of the day, you don’t want to resort to repurposed tissues to write something down. 

Water

Last, but definitely not least, don’t forget to bring your reusable water bottle. It’s extremely important to stay hydrated as we review for finals. A few sips of water here and there can help you feel so much better while studying. 

Alright! This is it, Bears. With these essentials on hand, you’re ready to power through that library grind. Good luck with your finals!