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[Live Blog] Living In The HUB For 24 Hours

Finals season is officially upon us, folks.

If you’re similar to me, you need to pass your finals with flying colors, yet you just can’t seem to sit down and study. Previously, one of our writers spent 24 hours in the library in order to force herself to study. Following in her footsteps, I have decided to live in the HUB for 24 hours and force myself to lock in.

Follow along for my 24-hour adventure through the HUB.

Live Blog

6:30 p.m.: I’ve made it to the HUB, and there’s already lots of commotion. It’s been five minutes, and I’m already tired.

7:05 p.m.: It’s officially dinner time, so I’m having McAlister’s Deli with my friends. I’ve been here for just over 30 minutes, but it feels like I have been here for hours.

7:38 p.m.: There’s still a fair number of people here, considering it’s past 7 p.m. on a Friday. I wonder how many of these people will remain in three hours.

8:33 p.m.: Dinner is finished, and I’ve started the long process of editing my volleyball photos because I’d rather avoid the real reason I’m doing this 24-hour adventure: studying. There’s an event happening in the Alumni Hall upstairs. I can hear the blaring music from the opposite side of the HUB.

10:15 p.m.: Two hours since my last update — almost four hours into this 24-hour adventure — and I’m officially tired. The event in the Alumni Hall is still going strong, which is slightly annoying. My friends have left me for the night. I’ve finally finished editing my women’s volleyball photos, so it may be time to change locations and lock in studying for finals.

10:57 p.m.: I’ve finally moved locations but have continued to procrastinate studying for any of my five finals. Also, why can’t I find a single silent spot in the HUB? There are too many people here for a Friday night.

12:15 a.m.: It’s officially December 14, and I have visitors again. I still have 18 more hours to go, and I think I’ve officially reached the point where I’m questioning why I’m doing this. Visitors are what are slowly getting me through this. I still haven’t started studying for any of my finals.

12:53 a.m.: Question of the night: Will I actually get any studying done — the original mission of this HUB expedition — before I fall asleep? No one knows the answer.

1:21 a.m.: The second group of the night has left, but the third group is here. I’ve officially started studying for my finals, so I hope someone out there is proud of me. Only about 17 hours remain here in the HUB.

1:50 a.m.: I’m starting to reach the point where sleep will soon become inevitable. Let’s see how much longer this tired, tired writer can stay awake.

6:16 a.m.: I officially fell asleep but was just woken up by a kind security guard checking to make sure I was all right. Surprisingly, it wasn’t the worst sleep I’ve ever gotten at Penn State. I think that’s a sign to get back to studying. Just over 12 hours remain.

6:40 a.m.: I just found out the HUB staff have been following along with my 24 hour journey. I feel honored. Thank you, HUB staff—you’re the best.

9:35 a.m.: People from the outside world are starting to trickle in. Good morning, Penn State students.

10:00 a.m.: Why does all the food in the HUB either not open until 11 a.m. or stay closed? Can’t a girl staying in the HUB for 24 hours catch a break?

10:35 a.m.: Another visitor! Not being alone in the HUB is always exciting. I was also brought a smoothie from K2 Roots, and I’ve never been happier.

11:48 a.m.: Irving’s and K2 Roots were my breakfast—the best State College has to offer—thanks to the amazing delivery people who also kept me company. Now, sadly, back to work.

12:07 p.m.: I hate studying.

12:35 p.m.: I forgot to introduce Irving’s oatmeal deliverer, who is now my study buddy. Only six hours remain. I’m celebrating this momentous occasion with even more studying.

1:16 p.m.: Studying for Psych 100 is slowly making me lose it. There’s a significant number of people in the HUB now, likely doing the same thing as me—studying. I’ve never hated studying so much as I have in the past 24 hours.

1:58 p.m.: I’m so bored. I’m now accompanied by three fellow staffers: Mikey DeAngelis, Joe Lister, and Tessa Torres-Hoffman. I’ve walked a total of 1,108 steps—the fewest I’ve walked in the past three months.

3:05 p.m.: I honestly have very little to update. Three fellow staffers are still here, and a good number of people are now at the HUB. I’m excited to see the outside world in three and a half hours.

3:21 p.m.: Tessa has been on about five phone calls in the past hour. Her family drama has been the most entertaining part of the last five hours I’ve been awake.

3:50 p.m.: I just tried to add up what I’ve been doing for the past 21 hours, and there’s about four and a half hours of unaccounted for time. I have a feeling these last three hours will be the longest of my life. Mikey, who’s been here since around noon, is the last visitor standing but will leave once Panda Express has been consumed. Soon, I’ll be lonesome once again.

4:37 p.m.: I just want to go home.

4:58 p.m.: It’s officially dark out again. I haven’t seen the sun since 12:30 p.m. yesterday.

5:30 p.m.: Officially one more hour remaining. I’m in the home stretch.

5:49 p.m.: Doing my last bits of studying and homework until at least 1 p.m. on Sunday. Good riddance.

5:56 p.m.: I officially started listening to a Disney playlist to complete my 24 hours in the HUB. I heard ‘Colors of the Wind’ from Pocahontas on my TikTok For You page, and here we are.

6:05 p.m.: Just under 30 more minutes here, and I’ve decided to take one final lap around my kingdom the HUB. This is what a girl looks like after staying here far longer than anyone should. This has been an experience to remember.

6:22 p.m.: It’s the last few minutes of this adventure, a bittersweet feeling. I’ll be walking out of my home for the past 24 hours and back to my dorm at exactly 6:30 p.m. I don’t know when I’ll be here again. Goodbye HUB.


Overall, the past 24 hours haven’t been the worst. The visitors throughout made the experience a lot more bearable. There was probably more photo editing and talking to friends than actual studying during these 24 hours. I’ve gained a new appreciation for the outdoors (I miss the fresh air). While this was definitely an experience I’ll always remember, I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone still reading this. Good night.

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About the Author

Ella Wehmeyer

Ella is a first-year Human-Centered Design and Development major from Miami, Florida. You can probably find her up way too late doing work (making spotify playlists or finding some new hobby). She loves everything Penn State, reading, writing, and all things music. If needed, you can contact her through email at [email protected] or through Twitter @ellawehm

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