Now that syllabus week has sadly come to a close, the time has come to make the hike to the library.
Last year, I majorly ODed on the reference room in Alderman and decided to branch out and switch it up, which I also found made it easier to study sometimes.
Here's a list of study spots and the kind of studying I've found they cater best to:
Alderman
I've ended up moving around Alderman quite a bit.
The McGregor room is obviously awesome: it looks like it is straight out of Harry Potter, and it is super silent. if you're the kind of person who needs absolute quiet in order to focus or to tackle a major assignment like writing a paper, look no further. The Asian room next door is also good for this kind of studying.
Sometimes, though, I like having some noise and action, and the cafe on the main floor is perfect for that. The chairs are super comfy, and you're close to Greenberry's, so you can watch the line and time your coffee order accordingly.
Clemons
First floor Clem is the Clemons equivalent to McGregor. Absolutely silent. Plus, the cubicles enable you to block everything else out, so you really have no distractions. It's usually my go-to during finals, and the amount of people there makes me feel better, since I know I'm not the only one.
You can talk on the second floor, in case absolute silence weirds you out.
Fine Arts Library
As an Art History major, I go to the Fine Arts library a ton since it's right next to Campbell. (No one ever knows where that is: across from Rugby.) It's a really cool study space. You can talk on the first floor, but the second floor is a quiet space with an area of tables and stacks, which is less overwhelming to me there since it's a smaller library. The Fine Arts cafe is a minute away in Campbell if you need food or caffeine. Bonus: the food is made completely sustainably and offers a change from the usual sandwiches at Greenberry's.
Para Coffee
Sometimes I just can't deal with a library, so it's nice to mix it up. Para has delicious coffee and two floors, and the coffee shop atmosphere is so conducive to putting in your headphones and doing work in a more relaxed, less stressed atmosphere. I usually go there to knock out some reading.
Nau
Nau is such a beautiful building, and great to go to if you have class in New Cabell or, obviously, Nau. I love all of the windows, which create a nice, open atmosphere. There's also a Starbucks inside, for an added bonus. Extra points if you're able to get your own table, because it can be impossible.
Newcomb
Newcomb is definitely a comfortable atmosphere with all of the couches, chairs, and tables. It's perfect for group projects, since talking is obviously allowed. It's also great if you like having occasional distractions to ease studying, since you'll definitely run into people.
Shenandoah Joe on Preston
Shenandoah Joe on Preston is another great coffee shop that less people know about. It's perfect if you have a ton of work and want to camp out on a Saturday or Sunday. There's tables and a bar area (coffee, not alcohol). Bonus: the Bodo's on Preston is right down the road if you need some fuel.
