To combat end-of-semester stress, the University of Minnesota’s Wilson Library hosted the Long Night Against Procrastination, an event giving students structured time to study or finish homework.

At 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday evening, students braved the whipping cold winds to sit in the relaxing atmosphere of the Wilson Research Collaborative Studio in Wilson Library. 

This is the fifth consecutive year that the University Libraries held the Long Night Against Procrastination, according to University Libraries Undergraduate Services Specialist and Event Emcee Lacie McMillin.

“We just want to give students the space to be productive, but also in a fun way,” McMillin said. “We’re just trying to get more students in the library that may not come here to study regularly, like we’re giving them a reason to come and have fun while they study.”

The event began with a brief introduction by McMillin explaining the structure of the event, which included dedicated focus and break times. 

Break times often involved participation in specific activities.

The first break time activity was the “Positive Post-It Study Break.” Students were given three minutes to write a positive message, drawing or affirmation on a post-it note. Then, they could choose to either give it to another attendee, give it to event staff to pass out over finals week or place it on one of the studio’s various whiteboards.

McMillin then read off a few of the student-written notes of positivity including ones saying “You’re so hot!” and “Keep Slaying!”

The second dedicated study break included a book recommendation activity and book swap involving the University of Minnesota Book Club. The third activity was a pizza break, courtesy of Mesa Pizza in Dinkytown.

Although the event had dedicated study and break times, it was a very relaxed setting with students able to come and go as they pleased and engage in additional activities like button-making, coloring or enjoying snacks.

McMillin said the University libraries receive a lot of feedback from students every year after this event. She said responses are mostly positive, with students saying they are happy with how they spent their time at the event.

Third places, areas other than someone’s home or class, are important when it comes to effective studying, according to McMillin.

“You don’t want to always study right next to where you sleep,” McMillin said. “I think it’s really good to switch it up, even switching up your study places around the library or that one place you always go to. Keeping it fresh and having a different perspective.”

Fourth-year student Mo Salem, a self-proclaimed “chronic procrastinator and pizza lover” said he utilized the event time to make progress on a paper for his English class.

Salem said he appreciated having the time and space to work around and with fellow students.

“I really find it easier to focus when there’s people around,” Salem said. “It makes me feel like I’m holding myself accountable.”

First-year student Elle Powers also said the event was effective by allowing her a space and time to study with her friends and fellow students.

“I’ve been really badly procrastinating after having a break,” Powers said. “I needed time to get back into the college groove with finals coming up.”

Both Salem and Powers expressed interest in the University holding similar organized work time events more frequently in the future.