考試季來臨,引發"座位荒" Deadlines cause crisis

As the deadlines for midterm papers and postgraduate entrance exams draw closer, seats in campus libraries and classrooms are a scarce commodity.

期中論文大限將至，考研也迫在眉睫，校園裏圖書館和自習室可謂一座難求。

Competition for seats is making quite a few students’ heads spin. The Chinese media reported that university students in Wuhan even put up tents outside libraries in order to line up for places.

佔座令相當一部分學生感到頭疼。國內媒體此前報道稱，在武漢，許多大學生甚至在圖書館外支起帳篷，排隊等位。

An increasing number of college students are looking for alternatives. They are exploring new frontiers by turning dining halls, snack bars, cafes, and even meadows into their personal studies.

越來越多的大學生正在另闢蹊徑。他們把食堂、快餐店、咖啡館、甚至草坪都開闢爲自習區。

Gong Yuhui, 18, a finance engineering major at the University of International Business and Economics (UIBE), likes to study at the Sculpting in Time cafe near her campus. Sharing a pot of lavender tea and, occasionally, a piece of cake, she and her friends often spend entire afternoons or evenings there.

18歲的龔玉輝（音譯）就讀於對外經貿大學金融工程專業，她喜歡在學校附近的雕刻時光咖啡館自習。點上一壺薰衣草茶，偶爾來塊蛋糕，她和朋友們常常會在那裏看上一整個下午或整晚的書。

“I’m preparing for the Licensing Examination for Security Intermediaries,” the sophomore said. “Reviewing lessons in dorms was so stressful. My roommates went to sleep early, so I had to turn off all the main lights in order not to disturb them. The desk light was dim, and I had to be careful to avoid making any noise.”

現在讀大二的她說：“我正在準備證券從業資格考試。在宿舍複習功課很有壓力。我的室友習慣早睡，爲了不打擾她們，我需要關掉所有的大燈。而檯燈光線很暗，我要小心翼翼，以免弄出一點響聲。”

However, the laid-back atmosphere and soothing music in cafes help her focus. More importantly, she can discuss any questions with her friends.

而在咖啡館中，輕鬆的氛圍，舒緩的音樂，有助於她集中精神。更重要的是，她可以隨心所欲地和朋友討論問題。

“In a library or classroom I have to refrain from asking questions and show consideration toward others.”

“在圖書館或自習室裏看書，爲了考慮他人的感受，我不得不剋制自己的求知慾。”

Besides cafes and cake shops, students often opt to study in the open air.

除了咖啡館和蛋糕店之外，學生們還經常在戶外上自習。

Ma Shuangshuang, a freshman at China University of Political Science and Law, reviews her legal material on the stone benches in the campus’ garden, despite the fact that her attention might be distracted by passersby.

中國政法大學大一學生馬霜霜（音譯）就喜歡坐在學校花園裏的石凳上覆習法律資料，儘管有時她的注意力或許會被路人打擾。

“The campus is located in the Changping suburb of Beijing, where the fresh air and clear sky nourish my mind,” said Ma, who sometimes lies on the grass while reading.

馬霜霜說：“我們的校區位於北京市郊昌平，這裏天空晴朗，空氣清新，讓人精神振奮。”她有時會躺在草坪上看書。

But as the weather grows chillier, she is retreating indoors.

但由於天氣越來越冷，她正準備轉戰室內。

For all-nighters, fast-food restaurants with a 24-hour service make a sound choice.

對於喜歡開夜車的同學來說，24小時營業的快餐店是個不錯的選擇。

In a well-lit snack bar outside campus, Wu Han, 19, from UIBE, is staring at exotic words on his iPad. He is brushing up on his Spanish before the midterm exam.

對外經貿大學學生，19歲的吳漢（音譯）正坐在校外一家燈光明亮的快餐店內，目不轉睛地揹着iPad上的生詞。他正在溫習西班牙語課程，做期中考前準備。

“I hate classrooms because I am frequently asked to leave whenever students have a class,” said the English media major. “They also close before midnight.”

就讀於國際傳媒專業的他表示：“我討厭自習室，因爲通常教室一有課，我就會被趕出來。而且教室不到十二點就關門了。”

Campus canteens remain a hotspot for studying. Many like to arrive early in order to occupy the seats by the windows. But Zhang Feng, 19, from Shanghai Normal University, considers the tables and chairs a little messy. “The lighting can be bad for reading,” said Zhang. The sophomore Japanese major still prefers libraries, where he has more self-discipline due to the solemn learning environment.

校園食堂仍是熱門的自習場所。很多人喜歡早早來食堂，佔個靠窗的座位。來自上海師範大學，19歲的張楓（音譯）卻覺得食堂的桌椅有點髒。他說：“食堂光線不好，不適合看書。”這位就讀於日語專業的大二學生還是更喜歡去圖書館看書，那裏的學習氛圍很濃，更便於自律。

Administrators are trying to tackle the seating shortage. Jiang Enqiao, a tutor at Beihang University, says colleges are catching up.

高校管理人員正試圖解決“座位荒”這一問題。來自北航的導師江恩橋（音譯）表示，學校正爲此努力改進。

“To cater to the individuality of post-90s students, posh cafes, tea houses and chatting saloons are being built at universities,” he said. “Classrooms are being equipped with hot water fountains, and some even with coffee machines.”

他說：“爲迎合90後學生的個性特徵，各大學校都正在興建各種高檔咖啡館，茶舍以及聊天室。教室裏也配備了飲水機，有的教室甚至還配有咖啡機。”

But Jiang also said that studying off campus should not be the norm. “There are safety concerns, and it is important to work in an academic environment.”

不過，江恩橋也表示：“在校外學習並非長久之計。一方面是出於安全考慮，另外在學術氛圍中學習這很重要。”