With the semester in full swing, your nightly visits to the library may be cursed with the inability to find a quiet study spot. The first and second floors of Cabell library are more like activity rooms than parts of a library, but even if you can’t find a spot on the 3rd and 4th floors, never fear; I’ve had to get creative with finding spots to study around the VCU campus and I’m here to share that knowledge with you.
1. The Second Floor of Commons
Even though there aren’t actual desks up there, there are plenty of comfy chairs to get some reading done in a pinch. If you just need to read a few chapters of a textbook and don’t need a desk, this may be the place for you.
2. Bleecker St. Deli
On the first floor of Snead Hall is a little deli where sandwiches and coffee are served, and outside the deli are tables where you can eat your snack AND get some work done.
3. Local coffeeshops
While you do have to buy something to stay and study at a local restaurant, many places offer fast wifi and a great environment. Alchemy Coffee and Urban Farmhouse are both on campus and closeby if you live in one of the freshmen dorms. Urban Farmhouse even has some outdoor seating if you want to get some fresh air while studying.
4. The First and Second Floor of MCALC
On the first and second floor of MCALC are rooms in the center of the floor that you can rent out for study time like the rooms in the library. Also, outside of these rooms, there are lounge areas with chairs and couches that you can use to sit and study.
4. Cary Street Gym
This may seem like an odd suggestion for you to go study at a gym, but if you’re looking for a change in scenery, there are some tables on the first floor of the gym overlooking the pools where you can go and study if you wish.
Whether you’ve grown disillusioned with the amenities offered by Cabell or you just want to see what else VCU has to offer, I’d recommend checking out these other study spaces and seeing if perhaps they are a better place to get your work done than the library.
