Picture this: it’s 3 p.m., you finally pull yourself out of your dorm to be productive, you head to the library with a Saxby’s coffee in hand, looking forward to being productive, and … every single floor of the library is crowded. Yes, every floor—it doesn’t matter if it’s Shannon Library or Clemons, the chances of finding an empty desk are slim to none. Climbing up and down the staircases, checking every single corner, circling around the same areas in hope of just having a space to put your stuff down—all to no avail. Before you know it, almost an hour has passed by with approximately zero progress made on that huge, dreadful paper you procrastinated on, and you find yourself wishing that you had simply stayed at home.
This all-too-specific situation may or not be a hypothetical (hint: it’s not), but it is reflective of how difficult it is to find a study space at the library nowadays. Staying in your dorm and attempting to get homework done is not a recipe for success; changing the place where you study is more optimal to stay on task. The first place that comes to mind as a potential workspace would be a library, but here is where many run into an issue.
Students are at the library at all hours of the day, so forget even attempting to claim a desk during prime hours. And, with exam season in full swing again, the crowds are not likely to lessen up in the foreseeable future. While those enclosed whiteboard desks in Clemons or the study carrels in Shannon are wonderful study spot options, these are almost always occupied. Even the stacks in the Brown Science & Engineering Library are hard-to-get spots. Luckily, there are multiple other places around Grounds that offer a more private, and more importantly, less crowded environment to be productive.
While the Brown Library is often packed, Clark Hall itself has other offerings. The picturesque atrium with the elaborate mural walls, past the foyer has couches and seats along the walls. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to park yourself right next to one of those end tables with the outlets. The downside to being in the atrium is the fact that tour groups will constantly be going through the area, snapping pictures and gawking, but it is otherwise a lovely space to be. While the atrium in Clark Hall may not be the quietest, thanks to the flow of people grabbing sweet treats from Rookies and those on the way to (unsuccessfully) find a seat in the Brown Library, it is a far better option than waiting for an actual desk farther inside.
Another underrated study spot is the famous Rotunda. Most people overlook this as somewhere to do homework, but it is truly a hidden gem. A close friend introduced me to it, and I now understand why she likes studying at the Rotunda so much. The dome room in the Rotunda is a spacious area furnished with plenty of tables and it is such a unique workspace because of the overhead constellations in the beautiful arched ceiling. For those seeking comfort, there are cozy chairs in the balcony going around the upper periphery of the dome room, which is also great for taking naps during breaks. Plus, the quiet atmosphere makes it easy to focus and get tasks done.
For those who prefer to be outside, look no further than the colonnades by the Lambeth Field apartments. With stellar sunset views and fresh air, what more could you ask for? There are endless seats on the stairs, or you could set up shop leaning against one of the columns. It is generally quiet and an ideal location to people-watch. Whether you’re looking to grind out that paper or in need of a change in scenery, the Lambeth colonnades are the way to go.
A convenient area for studying in the downtime between classes are the window nooks in New Cabell Hall. Although the hallways can certainly get busy and pretty loud during class exchange periods, there are some quiet times where you can nestle in one of the large windows. There is also a small courtyard right outside Rising Roll Cafe on the second floor of New Cabell with several tables. This tends to be a quieter area, so for more focused studying it is perfect. Either way, New Cabell has lots of options to get in a quick work session and you can also grab a bite at Rising Roll there.
Nau Hall is another building that has endless study spots for those who seek it. The ground floor, with the window walls, provides a light-filled environment with noteworthy views. With the sunlight streaming in, this could be helpful for those being adversely affected by earlier sunsets. If that area is filled up, there are areas on each floor with a couch and armchairs to choose from as well. As an added bonus for choosing Gibson-Nau Hall to work at: Grit Coffee for a well-deserved pick-me-up.
All in all, there are so many places other than the libraries to settle down and accomplish work for classes. Instead of fruitlessly trooping around Shannon, head to one of these spots and get those dreaded assignments over with faster. These are but a glimpse into all the potential workspaces that Grounds has to offer, and there are definitely plenty more to be found.
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