Going to a school with over 50,000 of your nearest and dearest makes it quite hard to find a good study spot, especially during finals week. We know there are many places to study on campus, but it's a personal choice on which one you prefer. This is what your favorite study spot on Ohio State's Campus says about you...

1. Thompson

The number one reason to go to Thompson is just to say you went to Thompson. It’s the largest library on campus and the biggest scene. It’s almost like you go to Thompson to sound cool. Despite the fact that it is 11 floors tall, you never fail to see someone you know. And if you’re studying on a different floor than your friends, a nice study break is to ride the elevator to go visit them. The only bad thing about Thompson is that it takes a while to find a table during finals, and that the elevators take about 20 years to go from the first floor to any of the high numbered floors. If you’re venturing up to any floor above seven, expect to be waiting for the elevator for at least 15 minutes.

2. SEL or now known as, 18th Avenue Library

I hated SEL until recently, but I know people who are die-hard fans. SEL is the only place where its beneficial to go solo. You cannot expect to find a table for a group, and by group I mean even for two people. Especially during finals week, you sit wherever; whenever. When I’m in SEL I feel like I’m being lined up like cattle and have very limited space to spread out, but the 4th Floor is the quietest place on campus. You sit on top of people and if you breathe too loud you get dirty looks, but hey, at least you’re making some friends; even if they don’t know what “personal space” means.

3. The Union

This is just silly. Some people love going to The Union to study, and claim it’s a great study spot but that’s just false. There are hundreds of people walking through The Union at any given time, and all types of activities during the day. People use The Union as a cut through from High Street to Campus, so you spend most of your study time people-watching. There are some rooms upstairs that can be used to study but its chancy. The only great thing about The Union is that there is a plethora of food for you to choose from not far away.

4. Mason Hall

This is probably one of the best places to study during finals. If you’re a business major, you know what I’m talking about. During finals, it’s hard to rent out a room in Mason Hall, but if you have the ability to do it really early, it’s totally worth it. I’ve done many a group projects in Mason Hall and found that we were very productive. It’s also a good place to take a quiz, or time yourself for a practice test.

5. Starbucks on High Street

Not quite sure how you get anything done here. I’m not a huge fan of studying in public places. I find Starbucks especially, busy and kind of loud. It’s hard to get stuff done when people are walking in and out constantly and ordering their “Venti, non-fat, vanilla frap unicorn cappuccino’s.” Stay there too long, you’ll have memorized people’s coffee orders instead of the terms for your Biology exam.

6. Panera on High and 11th Ave.

Panera is a little better than Starbucks. People aren’t constantly coming in and out, and if they are—it’s just the lunch rush. Its larger so you can find a more obscure area to study, and the booth seats go really high so you can’t see people passing. Another perk is that you’re close to food, but going to the bathroom could be a problem; you don’t want to just leave your stuff sitting in a public place unwatched.

7. A random classroom

These are great during finals week. No one thinks to do this but during finals, all classes are finished. Go to your favorite lecture hall or small classroom and you’ll be able to sit with minimal distractions and limited amounts of people.

8. Lobby of Your Residence Hall

Please. You know you’re not studying. Just go upstairs and watch Netflix.

9. Geology Library (or any other Major Library)

These are the best. Usually they’re pretty low key and most people don’t think to study there. Last semester during finals week I went to the Medical Library on South/Med Campus, it was really quiet and I got a lot done. Usually, these places are filled with older students who know what it means to focus and get stuff done. Learn something from them, take their wisdom to heart, and grind.

Study Hack: There are a million rooms on campus you can rent out. Attempting to rent them out the week of finals isn’t going to help you. Prepare yourself in advance—rent out a room in a library weeks in advance, because remember, you go to a school with 50,000 people and you all have the same idea—wait last minute and hope that you’ll find a room. Surprise, that’s not how it works.

Happy finals and happy studying!