By: Meagan O'Biso

Some come on their own, others in friendship pairs, and others arrive as part of larger study groups. Students use the Libraries in ways that best suit their style of work. A recent visit to the Kilmer Library revealed that romantic couples are another popular study style.

Ajit Matharu and Denise Nunez are both first year students. Matharu's hometown is Paramus and he is majoring in business. Nunez is from New Brunswick and studies Pre-Med Nutrition. They began their relationship after meeting in the Quads on the Livingston Campus, just a few weeks ago. They normally come to Kilmer to escape the distractions of their residence hall. Nunez admits that she often finds herself scrolling through the Internet and Matharu is there to help her stay on track. They love Kilmer Library because of its casual setting. They feel that they are able to have quiet conversations without being disruptive to other students.

Syleen Neely and Felix Mateo are both in their sophomore year. Neely, from Franklin Park, is majoring in biomedical engineering and Mateo, from Union City, is majoring in electrical engineering. The couple met last year in Barr Hall on the Busch campus, which houses first year engineering students. Living in a residence hall with students whom have similar interests allowed Syleen and Felix to make many friends and start a relationship with each other. The couple normally enjoys studying in the basement of Kilmer, which has private study rooms and three tables in the center of the room. They enjoy the more enclosed space of the study rooms and basement, and feel the environment helps them concentrate. They are tempted to fall asleep or procrastinate with friends in their apartments, and find Kilmer Library to be a great place to study productively.

Meagan O'Biso and Nick Thistle spend many of their days and nights under piles of books at the library. Both sophomores, Meagan is majoring in English and communication and Nick is majoring in chemical engineering. They met back home in Toms River and began dating during their junior year of high school. Where they choose to study in the library depends on the amount of work they need to complete. During finals they opt for the more intense setting of the basement, and during the "off season" they choose the more laid back and comfortable feel of the ground floor. Studying together helps keep them in check because they are both very guilty of ending up on Facebook or StumbleUpon "by mistake". Having a built-in study partner keeps their productivity at its highest level.

The couples mentioned here are just a few of those who choose one of the Rutgers University Libraries as their go-to place to study. The libraries offer something different for everyone, whether it's a quiet individual cubicle, adjoining couches, a large table, or a study room. While the spring semester is coming into its final weeks, students can always depend on the Rutgers Libraries to provide the spaces they need to get their work done—on their own or with whatever study buddies they bring along.

Meagan O'Biso is a sophomore in the School of Arts and Sciences, a student worker at the Kilmer Library, and an aspiring journalist.