Wanna know something? Stress is contagious! Wondering what stress I'm talking about? Yup, you guessed it, midterm stress. During this intense time when everyone is anxious out of their minds, the last thing you want to do is to be nervous just seeing other people stressed. However, the library isn't a safe haven for everyone. For example, sometimes I am convinced that if I step inside the library I will spontaneously combust because of how much anxiety happens there. So when you feel like you can't be locked in there or you'll go insane, what options do you have on campus?
1. The SCC library
The SCC library is a great alternative to the real library, because aside from having a nice view of the Great Lawn, there are tables, comfortable chairs, and upstairs there is the computer room and even a printer! It's a quiet and serious place to study but it doesn't require a walk all the way to the library!
2. The balcony in the SCC
The balcony is one of the SCC's (not so) hidden treasures. Even though the SCC can get pretty loud sometimes, it's nice to be up there and look over the atrium. With the nice hum of student activity in the background and Einstein's so close by, this spot is great when you don't think you can handle how quiet the library is, but still want to focus.
3. Outside (while it's still nice out)
Before the whole outside world becomes a winter wonderland, why not study outside? There are tables and chairs all over campus to sit at, and when it's nice out it's a great place to put on some music and focus. You can find them outside the library, behind Usdan, in front of the SCC, in the science quad, in east, near IBS; there are so many options!
4. Mandel Atrium (they have a balcony too!)
The atrium in Mandel is a beautiful and serene place to study. You are surrounded by full-length windows, and there's plenty of comfortable chairs to sit in while you study. There's also a big balcony outside with tables and chairs, as well as a garden on the third floor that you should take advantage of while it's still nice out!
5. Upper Usdan
Many people find Upper Usdan a great place to get work done because of the variety of different places to sit and spread all your work out. It is also conveniently located near lots of yummy food that you can stress-eat. It is definitely a bit louder there, but if you come at just the right time you'll find that it's also a very nice place to study.
6. Science Center
The science center is one of my personal favorites. With Pete's Coffee and a beautiful view of Boston, it's not just science nerds who study there! The atmosphere in the atrium is definitely quieter and more serious, which makes it a great place to get a ton of work done and stay caffeinated as well!
7. IBS
The International Business School, although far, is quite a nice place to study, surrounded by endless views of the woods. It also has it's own little cafe! There are plenty of places throughout this building that have great potential as study spots-- they are a little less intense than being surrounded and cramped in the library.
8. Lounges in the dorms
The lounges in all the dorms are great places for group study sessions, and/or to put on some music and focus with your friends. It's nice to study there because you can easily all distract each other, but you can also motivate each other to study hard so that when you're done you can grab some food and watch a movie together!
9. Your Room
Sometimes when the stress gets to be too much to handle, going back to your room to study can be exactly what you need! Doing work in your room allows you to get away from all the other stressed-out people and take naps in a socially acceptable place when you get bored. This can be a much more relaxed place to study, and when you're ready to go back into the real world you'll feel refreshed and ready!
10. Lower Green
Lower Green can be a great place to study if you're looking for somewhere a little bit more relaxed than the library. People will go there to talk and hang out and grab some coffee from Starbucks, so why not get some work done there too? The vibe there tends to be louder but just pop in your headphones and you won't hear a thing!
11. The Stacks
All right, I know, I said the library is big and scary, but sometimes the stacks are just the vibe you're looking for; sit and study until the sun goes down. There are so many places to set up, too; just walking around the different floors in the library will count as a study break, and you'll always find a new little corner that you love to sit in and get some serious work done. So even though it can be intimidating, sometimes the library is the perfect place to motivate you, and help you focus to push through those midterms!
