Why do these computers take so long to start?

You need to do your homework that is due next period but you can't because you dont have your computer with you. You realize that there are computers available in the library so you run over to "check one out". You get one and press the power button. Three minutes later, the computer you "checked out" gives you the grey "log in" pop-up. You type in your username and password and hit enter. Your homework is now due in 10 minutes. You are waiting for the computer to load. Four minutes later you are still waiting. Your homework is now due in six minutes. You start to think of "good" excuses to tell your next teacher. All of a sudden, that little grey box shows a message: "Applying your personal settings". You get a sign of relief. "PHEWFFFFFFFF". You think to yourself, "Finallllllllly." You then realize three minutes later that the little message stating "Applying your personal settings" is THE most decieving message that you have ever read. Three minutes until your homework is due and the computer actually logs you in. You double-click the "Microsoft Word" logo with a slight hope you finish your homework in time. The computer freezes.