Did you notice that just about everyone was stressed over exams last week? Well, I certainly did with three exams myself.
And, unconfidently, as the week rolled around, suddenly every prime location on campus got a whole lot busier. Despite everyone’s individual study preferences, four main areas remain predominant in serving students as their favorite study spots. Haven’t found a favorite place to spend those long nights in yet? No worries, because these four student favorites offer many benefits that will undoubtedly work to your advantage!
Redifer:
Located in South Halls, Redifer serves as a meeting ground, dining hall and study space for a multitude of students both on-and off-campus.
The pros:
Situated so closely to downtown, off-campus students seeking a study space go there instead of trekking all the way to the library. The convenience does not stop there when considering the endless variety of food and snacks available to students. Not only does Redifer offer multiple specialty stands (who doesn’t love Redifer sushi?), the dining hall also offers “Late Night,” perfect for students looking for a snack late at night!
The cons:
So. Many. People. Redifer serves as a hub for South Halls, so if you are settling down to study, be prepared for many encounters with friends passing through. Further, with all of the televisions and crowds of people, you seriously better have admirable concentration or a pair of headphones! This location is perfect for the sociable student who doesn’t mind a few distractions here and there.
The Business Building:
Settled back by East Halls, the Business Building offers numerous tables and chairs for students looking to study late into the night.
The pros:
The Business Building is comparable to a Smeal major’s “Mecca,” offering a refuge for like-minded students to study together. Not only does this building host Blue Chip Bistro with Starbucks coffee, but also the building is open late into the night, convenient for students wanting to study together without all of the other distractions that the library and other popular locations offer.
The cons:
The location. Located so far north on campus, the building can be a hassle to travel to, especially considering the less-than-desirable weather and overwhelmingly crowded CATA buses. Further, looking to study late into the night? Well, the White Loop only runs until 12:30 a.m. Sunday through Wednesday nights, so you better be prepared for the long trek back to your dorm or apartment!
The HUB:
Located in the middle of campus, the HUB is truly the epicenter for student activity at Penn State.
The pros:
Do you love being in the center of attention? Well, the HUB would definitely be the best place for you! The HUB hosts a variety of student activities, bands, and benefits daily, so studying there will guarantee that you are well-aware of all of the current campus activities. Furthermore, Starbucks, Mixed Greens, Sbarro, and a wide variety of other eateries are all offered there, ensuring that there will be something to satisfy your cravings while studying!
The cons:
It is so busy! Unless you snag a prime study spot upstairs, get ready for a barrage of music, chatter and movement. Although the HUB is ideal to pass time studying or doing homework with friends, you seriously need headphones to be able to weather the flood of conversation in order to concentrate!
Pattee-Paterno Library:
Located west of campus, the library is the ideal spot for a student who seriously needs to study.
The pros:
This traditional study location offers computer labs, numerous rooms and a café for students looking to either study with friends or alone. The second floor of Pattee library, affectionately referred to as the “Harry Potter Room” due to its green lamps hosts seriously comfortable lounge chairs and rows of tables perfect for quietly working on schoolwork. However, third floor of the Paterno library, or the Business library, is where you want to be to chat with friends while cramming for your exams. Finally, for the more serious students, the stacks offer personal desks and silence guaranteeing a successful, solo study session.
The cons:
Again, the location. Sometimes a trek to the library is almost too much to bear in the low temperatures, as well as the fact that the White Loop stops running at 12:30 a.m. during the week. So, alike to the Business Building, you better be ready for a long walk home late at night. Further, the café, MacKinnon’s, closes relatively early into the night, leaving students the mere options of either walking to West Halls or getting food delivered to the library.
Whether it’s with friends or alone, one of these four locations is bound to please your studying preferences!
