When readers across Western New York gather in the hundreds to read together, something special happens. The Buffalo Reading Invasion that took place in July on UB’s South Campus was no exception.

As the hour approached, a quiet settled over the Hayes Hall lawn, and picnic blankets billowed in the breeze before being laid to rest. On one blanket, UB senior Anisha Aktar flipped through “The Alchemist” and read peacefully alongside three friends. This picture of serenity is fitting for Aktar, who knows a thing or two about romanticizing college life. 

Online, many describe romanticizing college as a matter of finding joy amidst otherwise stressful academic endeavors. This might entail bringing a sweet treat to your study session or curating an aesthetic study spot. Aktar attributes much of her ability to romanticize UB to the university’s libraries. While making Pinterest boards, she used to find herself wishing she had access to a beautiful, historic library like the ones seen online.

“Then you visit Abbott Library and see we do have this,” she says.

Romanticizing college isn’t always easy. Aktar knows this as a mathematics major balancing schoolwork, the job market and a part-time job. Therefore, she is intentional with her time. Even as a commuter, Aktar spends much of her time on campus in the library.

“I do treat it like a second home,” she says. “It is a second home.” 

Aktar associates individual libraries with unique moods. Her favorite is Abbott Library, where she can relax and do work closest to home. Here, she feels the most comfortable.

On the other hand, Aktar associates Silverman Library with a study routine of waking up at 4 a.m. to secure some of the most popular study spots. Finally, Lockwood Library is her ideal space to socialize with friends. 

“Lockwood has been my go-to for hanging out,” Aktar says. “My friends and I have a table on the third floor we usually sit at, and it’s an unspoken rule to go say hi to everyone. Then, if you have anything to do, you can leave.” 

By switching up her environment, Aktar stays refreshed during long study sessions and breaks between classes. She also encourages other students to explore and take advantage of the spaces and services that UB Libraries offers.

Although the third floor of Abbott Library is now her favorite study spot, she once didn’t know it existed. She had a similar experience with the short-term and long-term equipment loans in Silverman Library, which she discovered when she needed pink or green Post-it notes while color coding her notes. When she approached the desk to inquire, they had a drawer full of colored Post-it notes she could use.

“It’s so small, but it really helped me,” Aktar says.

For Aktar, romanticizing college is also about the friendships she has built along the way, many of which have been bolstered through UB Libraries. As many commuters will know, it can be difficult to meet new people. For Aktar, library events have offered a welcome opportunity to connect with others.

For example, she and a friend visited the “Check out a Plant” sustainability event last spring, where she gained a pothos plant that is still healthily growing today. She also expressed pleasant surprise at the community behind last November’s “Pride & Prejudice” movie screening. 

“You think you’ll go sit on a chair, watch it and leave, but it was so interactive,” she says. “It was all girls giggling, standing in a circle talking after the movie ended. Being able to experience that with so many people in a room was really fun.” 

Aktar has even been able to use the library to make sentimental gifts for friends. One friend of hers adores her old car that still has a CD player. In response, Aktar used library equipment to burn a CD with their favorite songs on it. She credits these experiences as some of her favorite memories at UB Libraries.

While it may appear to be a silly trend, romanticizing your college experience can yield impressive results. Though stress can be unavoidable, Aktar shows how finding pockets of joy makes space for community, friendship and even academic success.

Whether it’s a Reading Invasion or the next student programming event, students can expect to see Aktar at more UB Libraries events in the future. Always a friendly face, she encourages students to introduce themselves and strike up a conversation — you never know where it may lead!