The Phantom of the Library
I have not been doing very well in terms of posting messages I must admit and considering I post about once each term it was about time!
When I think back there have certainly been some interesting moments in the Lent term. Although not in the same context, the occupation of the Old building by students protesting against the war in Gaza and the heaviest snow in London in 18 years literally freezing life in the city along with LSE for 2 days will be remembered by all students
On a more personal note, I will also remember how earlier this semester I almost burned Garrick down (!)- by mistake, after not having realised the romantic tea light candles placed on the tables. As a consequence part of my notes caught fire ( an alternative method for getting an extension on your essay than “the dog ate it” excuse) but thankfully another decoration on the table- the little vase filled with water and gerberas came in handy as I managed to put out the fire. It wasn’t as heroic as I make it sound but hopefully I won’t be remembered with this event for the rest of the year.
Yet again I will now write about the library as I spend most of my time here.The LSE library is my source of inspiration! Considering the library is already open for 24 hours- unlike previous years when this was only the case during exam period- I can’t help but think that we are somehow being told to begin revisions for examinations at the end of summer term. I realise this is so because students asked for it but still I think it generates some pressure. Speaking to fellow library-goers I understand how it can suggest to them to: study as much as possible. Or maybe not, some people are more nocturnal than others and it’s good to have such flexibility. And the library has showers too, so no need to go home! But if we are as environmentalist as our colour coded recycle bins suggests maybe using so much electricity is a waste as the library is not running on full capacity. Just a thought.
Next up; choosing a dissertation topic. With admiration towards people who are already doing their research for their dissertations my search for an idea let alone a topic has so far been mostly in vain! So if anyone has a topic to spare, I am open to suggestions. Otherwise, Students-dissertation-topics-yet-to-be-found UNITE! I think the main problem is, as for most others who have not yet been able to settle on a topic would agree: we are simply spoiled for choice! No reference needed to the Chinese proverb : May you live in interesting times. Well, that we are. Suffice to look around.
Interestingly, this saying is the first among a ‘trilogy’ of proverbs and guess what the second one is: May you find what you are looking for. I’ll have a dissertation topic please!
Here is a list of motivational things that may be helpful to find what I am looking for. No candles involved this time for safety purposes.
1/ looking at the syllabus of your favourite course- the topic that you wanted to do your presentation on but someone else got it, now may be the chance to get it back- in greater depth;
2/ jotting down ideas in a ‘special’ dissertation notebook (getting a new notebook for this purpose only may even be a motivation) as geeky as this sounds;
3/ asking other lecturers/professors’ opinions in addition to your supervisor is always helpful – even outside your department as they may have a completely different perspective to your area of study.
4/ listening to politics/government/economics related podcasts from LSE events you missed or other useful sites that you can easily upload on your mp3 player. You can listen to these on the go or sleep-learning could also be an alternative!
5/ reading general-interest media: self-explanatory;
6/ starting from a bigger concept to then move to a very specific part of it rather than trying to come up with something very specific immediately;
7/ Looking at the “Areas of Further Research” section in a journal article that you enjoyed. Maybe your dissertation topic was there waiting for you but you didn’t print the bibliography to save money on your printing account;
8/ Going to the pub: in between the library and your classes of course ehmm. Bouncing off an idea to a friend can spur new ideas in you. “Creativity can only flourish in a responsive environment” says a manual on “creative teaching” (!!?).
Finally, enjoy the last two weeks of Lent term, you still have plenty of time to think about your dissertation – and the library will be open 24/7 to assist you in this process.
