The silent fifth floor of the USF Library provides a quiet environment that supports students and their studies. ORACLE GRAPHIC/VIOLET VASQUEZ PIMENTEL

I have always been one to get distracted when studying and doing homework. There is constant noise outside on campus, and I am unable to focus on the task at hand. 

I am a transfer student from Florida Atlantic University, and I had never been to the S.E. Wimberly Library during my year there.

After I transferred to USF in fall 2024, I decided to ditch my habit of avoiding libraries and started going to the USF Library when I needed to study or do homework. 

I was overwhelmed at first, since there are so many floors and I had no idea which one to choose. 

The first through fourth floors have large study spaces tailored for group work and study. There, I have seen students working with and talking to their friends. 

But one day, my friend showed me the fifth floor. Since then, I have only ever gone to that floor. 

Related: OPINION: Take advantage of USF Library resources 

The fifth floor is set to be a quiet study area, according to its map. And I particularly enjoyed the concept of a silent floor and how most people seemed to follow the rule.

The fifth floor features individual pods, study rooms and areas to work in silence — giving me a space to get all my work done without distractions and a sense of peace when dealing with a large workload. 

The USF Tampa campus is filled with constant movement and noise. Yet the quiet fifth floor of the Library can create a boundary where your focus can take priority. 

The space allows students to disconnect from distractions, absorb the material they are working on and manage stress. 

Mercedes Miller, a sophomore finance major, said she finds comfort on the fifth floor of the Library — as she is able to fully concentrate and get all her work done.

“When I know I have a big exam coming up or tons of homework to do, I immediately choose the fifth floor,” Miller said. “The quiet on the floor is amazing for someone like me who hates noise.”

The presence of a quiet floor acknowledges that productivity looks different for every student. 

For students who concentrate better without background noise, this floor becomes not only a study area, but a necessary academic resource. 

I have attempted to study on different floors of the Library, but have found that it takes me much longer to complete an assignment when I have friends talking to me and people chatting all around. 

Related: USF Tampa Library upgrades near final steps

After struggling to focus in these environments, the science behind it helps explain why some students are having trouble staying productive. 

The stress from constant white noise triggers an excess release of the hormone cortisol. If too much is released, it damages the part of our brain that helps control functions such as planning and reasoning, according to a study conducted by the University of Alberta Faculty of Science.

This means that background noise can raise your stress levels, making it difficult to focus on any task. 

Then, studying can become extremely difficult. In a place like the fifth floor of the Library, you are allowing your brain to focus and not be as distracted. 

Jessica Stubbs, a sophomore psychology major, said she sees the difference between study spots such as outside Cooper Hall and on the steps of the Judy Genshaft Honors College. 

“I have tried to study at other places on campus, but am constantly distracted by the background noise,” Stubbs said. “This makes it harder to focus on my work. There aren’t many places that are mostly silent, so the fifth floor is an amazing place to get away from the noise.” 

Having a resource like the silent floor at the Library is something that I think every student should take advantage of. 

Getting work done can be challenging for many students, me included. But having a place with nearly no background noise makes life so much easier.