If you’re anything like me, Olin can feel a little too stressful during midterms. Don’t get me wrong—I love casually working in Whispers during the middle of the day, and there’s nothing quite like the shared solitude of working in a cubicle on Olin 3. However, sometimes the pressure is just too stifling. After you spend approximately 3 hours circling the library looking for seats in a college-themed version of musical chairs, it can be hard to focus on your work at a table with 8 of your incredibly stressed peers frantically finishing Calc work or with their nose buried in the spine of a chemistry textbook. One night last week, when I was leaving Olin 3 at 4 AM, I heard a girl weeping at her cubicle, and I knew Olin had made her crack.
Over my 3 plus years at this school, I’ve carved out some alternate study spaces that afford the same amount of quiet and seclusion without being anywhere near that glowing beacon of panic that sits in the middle of campus. Although I’m reluctant to give away my secrets, I’ll do it for the betterment of everyone’s study experience. Here are five of my favorites:
1. The DUC Third Floor
This is one of my favorite hidden spaces around campus. Sometimes, sitting in the main dining room of the DUC can be overwhelming with its large tables. Sneak upstairs to the third floor by using the elevator by the south entrance. Around the new KWUR recording room, there is a plethora of booths, longer tables, and window nooks to hunker down and work. There’s even a small kitchen up there to heat up snacks and drinks. Sometimes the DUCSA’s come around at midnight to shepherd you out, but I’ve had nights where they remain unseen, and I get to keep my spot into the early hours of the morning.
2. Bauer
With the relatively recent opening of the new business school building, I’ve only started to really utilize Bauer’s space this semester. Between its three floors, there are study rooms, empty classrooms, and comfy chairs that can be used by any student, regardless of what school division you’re in. Advice: it’s a good idea to book the study rooms in advance, especially on busier study nights. Don’t underestimate the empty classrooms though—you can use the projectors to display your notes on the drop down screens (or even have a quick study-break dance party).
3. Eads classrooms
Eads is a gem, with its spacious empty classrooms that are frequently left totally abandoned after hours. They provide ample desk space for you to spread out all of your books and notes, and Eads’ prime location right next to Whispers makes it easy to run over and re-supply your snacks. Warning, though—you can’t swipe into the building after 9, so be sure to stay inside past then, or have a friend in there to let you in.
4. The Music Library
As an underclassman, you could find me studying in the music library the majority of the time I had work to do. I love it so much because it feels like a real, old-time library, like the ones you went to in your hometown, growing up. It’s small, but a balcony with desks that overlooks the ground floor makes it feel more expansive. If you’re living on the 40, or in that area of campus for a meeting, it’s worth checking out. The one downside is that it closes at 9 PM, so for late night study sessions, you’ll have to relocate. Though— you didn’t hear it from me, but— I have heard of people accidentally getting locked in and staying the night.
5. The Chem library in Louderman
The nooks on the second floor are perfectly secluded and offer the same personal space as Olin 3 without compromising on privacy. Like Eads, Louderman is close enough to Whispers if you run out of coffee (God forbid), and it’s relatively unknown, so you can feel proud that you have a unique study spot!
