Campus Study Spots: Pros and Cons

Graphics by Téa Sklar

The week before fall break, is the time where midterms become the center of everyone's universe. Some people are able to easily study in their dorms, sitting in their bed and locking in, but if you are anything like me, it's impossible to have a dorm study session. The bed is too comfy, phone reels are way more interesting than cramming and staring around your room seems like a much better use of your time. That's why I study elsewhere. Here are my opinions about the most popular study spots on campus: 

Bird Library: 

There is always stuff going on. Studying in Pages is too much unless the cafe is closed. You could go up floor by floor to reach a more quiet area, but what if you’re a loud typer. That is why the basement floor is one of the best areas, lots of space, good area for groups or singles to study, close to a bathroom always.  

Carnegie Library: 

I will never be on the Carnegie hype train. I like the library, it’s very pretty. However, when studying here it almost feels like everyone judges you. I cough, several stares approach my direction. When I type, why do I feel like I am committing a cardinal sin by interrupting the quiet. Carnegie is definitely good for concentration, but if you need to use a computer I wouldn’t go there. 

Schine: 

Schine is a little too busy and noisy for me. The upstairs bit is fine, but the constant traffic of seeing people entering and leaving can be distracting. I also can never fully concentrate on the main floor or the bottom floor; too many people and too much going on at all times. The good thing is that there are plenty of mid-study food options, the only caveat being that these places do have to close. The only place I love to go is The Underground. If you find a seat it becomes a very chill place to study. It's always quiet and has comfortable seating for long term studying sessions.  

 Finding a free classroom: 

If this has ever been done during the day, you are a living legend. It is incredibly difficult to find an empty classroom to study or have time to yourself in. This becomes much easier at night, but who wants to be in a classroom that late. There is also the awkward moment that may come about if a class comes into the room while you are there.  

Barnes: 

When I go to the gym I always see people walking on the treadmills while reading/studying on their ipads or phones. To me that seems impossible, but when you have limited time and lots to do, I get it. In Barnes, when most people are on the treadmill, they barely know what's going on around them; so, you wouldn’t have to worry about distractions. Walking can clear the mind and make it sharp, so in the studying process this may help you. The only cons are the discomfort of sitting in sweat and lack of a charging outlet nearby.  

Open green space on campus: 

Midterms in first semester? Yes. Midterms in second semester? Absolutely not. Sitting on the quad can be a good place to take in some fresh air and start studying. It can be possibly distracting with the thousands of people going to and from classes, but if you love people watching it can be a good break from cramming. If your midterm is in the second semester, give up on sitting outside. It’s too cold and miserable, why would you do that to yourself? 

My favorite place has always been Bird. I love sitting in the basement and locking in to do work. I don’t go there during the day, but usually during the dead of night to cram. To me, its the perfect mixture of quiet and busy. However, as I've talked with other people about their favorite study spaces on campus, I’ve realized that every study spot on campus has its fans and haters. To me Bird is perfect, but to other it’s obnoxious. Everyone has their own study space, and these places have their mixtures and pros and cons. But they all help up achieve that same goal, getting that passing midterms grade.