PARRA VS. MACQ
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Okay, so during Vibhav’s birthday dinner yesterday (thanks vibs, it was really fun- happy birthday again), Krishna kept pestering me to blog - and he had the right to because it’s been my turn to blog for about two weeks. So here I am!
So, I’m guessing being the Baulko kids you all are, you’ve probably all started sinking your faces into your past papers (not notes/textbook I hope because you’re probably all past the revision stage - jokes). However, like me there are many of you who find it extremely hard to work at home, when you are faced with distractions such as: brothers constantly practicing violins, the internet and pretty much a whole room filled with things to procrastinate with! And so I have decided to help you guys out and do a review on the two public libraries I know best: Macquarie University Library, and Parramatta Library.
1.TRANSPORT
Okay, for me both of these libraries are equally as easy to get to on the M54 seeing as I live right in the middle of both of them (20 minutes each way). HOWEVER, Parra is generally MUCH easier to get to for everyone else (probably). As well, the bus stop is about 4 minutes walk to the library, while depending on which bus you catch to Macq, it can range from a 2 minute walk to a 10 minute walk. There are a LOT more buses/trains to Parra compared to Macquarie as well.
Verdict:
Very easily:
Parra
2. SOCIAL LIFE
This is probably extremely biased because I don’t have any asian friends from NSG, Epping Boys and Cherrybrook Tech etc. who go to Macq (actually I don’t really know what schools go there), so I will have to say that the social life there is pretty shit unless you’re like my friend Ming who knows literally every second person in that library.
Parra on the other hand, is pretty much Baulko central. Memories of last holidays, where half the grade was pretty much there. Diverse as well, with people from all groups, toilet, stoop, backstoop, girls, asians etc. Not only does this mean you have a lot of friends to hang out with, it means that Baulkos are the majority, giving us the power to bag out the few poor Ruse kids trying hard to study in the library (ie. Vincent ‘Babesthetics’ Tran)
In terms of the rest of the people, you would probably want to steer clear of Macquarie unless you want to be surrounded by fobs. I’m not even exaggerating when I say that 90% of the people there are fobs. Everywhere around me, are people speaking Mando. I feel like a fucking foreigner D;
However, I’d have to say that Parra is filled with a lot more creepy people. A LOT more. Random old men who watch porn on the public computers, old asian men who use scissors to clip their toenails in the middle of the library. Do you see a trend? Annoying fobs > creepy men any day.
Verdict:
Even though I have a lot more friends at parra, this review is about which library is better for studying in, and unfortunately friends can be pretty distracting, so I’d have to give this one to:
Macquarie.
3. FACILITIES
In terms of facilities, Macquarie has some robotic book shelving system thingy which is really high-tech and cool, while Parra is just a regular library no better than the baulko one. Macquarie has 5 levels while Parra has 2.
The toilets in Macquarie are a lot better - located on every level, and don’t require you to ask the information desk to unlock the toilet door for you (which is irrelevant now because the last time I went, the toilets were out of order -_-) . As well, the toilet water in Macquarie is brown!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Apparently, according to the label above the toilet, there’s been some kind of chemical added to it....or something - it’s meant to be good for the environment.
There are also power points pretty much EVERYWHERE, not like parra where there are probably only 50 of them. The light in Macquarie is a lot better, not that warm yellow light in Parra which makes you want to fall asleep every time you study.
However, Parra feels a lot more homely and comfortable while Macquarie feels sort of sterile and cold - probably because it’s new...
In terms of noise, Macquarie is probably quieter bar the few loud asian fobs. There are the two semi-inside levels which are meant to be for quiet study which have power points on every desk, and the group study tables outside. Parra on the other hand, has a quiet study room, which can be really quiet at times, but with the librarians not letting me close the door between the room and outside (seriously don’t understand why I can’t close that door) IT IS SO LOUD (especially between 4-5 on weekdays)
Verdict:
By quite a lot, I’d say Macquarie
4. FOOD
Food is such an essential part of good studying. What is HSC without gaining HSC weight?! Food at Macquarie is quite convenient since they have a cafeteria thing inside the library - WHICH IS FREAKING EXPENSIVE, NOT TO MENTION THE SHIT RANGE - their mochas taste nice though, if you’re into that kinda stuff.
Most people walk to Macquarie Centre which is ANNOYING because it’s sort of far. Well, its far compared to Parra Westfield from Parra Library. In Macq you’re allowed to eat on the top 2 levels, and at Parra you’re allowed to eat as well - actually I’m not even sure if you are - some librarians will tell you off for eating but some are just eh. Doesn’t matter though, cos everyone eats anyway !
Verdict:
The winner is defs Parra - along with the afternoon specials at 3:30 - cheap and convenient
5. STAFF
Okay, Parra staff - WORST! They are so mean, and so rude and they are so annoying! Especially that stupid asian lady who seems to hate all high school kids. I mean, she is so nice to everyone else, I don’t understand why she hates us so much. One of them is nice though, buuuuuut the asian lady is meaner than she is nice.
HOWEVER (I gotta think of more works to use than however) the most annoying thing about Macq is that they don’t let you sleep! These stupid ‘Security’ people come around and wake you up, and say ‘No sleeping is allowed’ WTF? It’s a public library, let me sleep! What kind of rule is that? I’m not harming anyone! It’s just stupid. Sometimes in order for me to achieve max study I need to take a power nap! BUT I CAN’T DO THAT AT MACQ and end up really tired, and lose focus :( which really defeats the point of
studying.
studying.
Verdict:
PARRA PARRA PARRA
I guess it's safe to say that the overall winner is PARRA! 3-2 :D
Happy studying guys!
(will be at parra weekdays and macquarie weekends ;D -see you there!)
Damn! I forgot opening hours - Macquarie wins but I cbf putting it in
- Tonia
