The Two Best Spots to Study in on Campus

By Jose Guerrero

Finals are coming, and it's time to study and finish up any assignments, but where do you go? Many spots on campus look good, but there are not great study places. So, what are the two best spots on campus? The answer is the Swirbul Library cubicles and the third-floor Nexus tables. 

These two spots are great because there are not a lot of people in them. The library cubicles, for instance, are far from any main foot traffic in the library (on the second floor and far off to the left side of the library, coming from the main staircase in the center) compared to the main study area on the first floor, which is always filled with people. 

Discover your perfect study spot on campus, whether it's a quiet corner in the Swirbul Library or the third floor of Nexus.

The same goes for the third-floor Nexus study tables. There are so few people up there compared to the first-floor study; it's great to get away from the noise. The reason for this is probably the same for the library cubicles, which are so far off from where most of the main foot traffic is in Nexus.

That being said, both these spots have their unique strengths and weaknesses. Looking at the cubicles first in terms of their strengths. It is a cubicle chair with a little desk and charging ports for your phone and laptop. It's like a mini version of the private study area, except you can find a room for yourself. You can spend hours in your cubicle and finish all your work, and your phone and laptop will be fully charged. Another bonus is that since these cubicles are in the library, you won't need to worry about the area being loud. 

The Nexus third-floor study tables are also great. There are only three or so tables, each with its charging port. So space is limited, but that's good because it means the space won't be crowded. It also has a great view of the campus, so you can work on your studies while having a scenic view. 

Now, here are the weaknesses that you should consider when going to these spaces. For starters, there are only 26 cubicles. The space might not be crowded, but at peak study time (like finals week), it might be hard to find a free cubicle. Also, if you want to do a group study, the cubicles are not great. Their design is for one person per cubicle, so doing group study sessions might not be great there. Also, a minor weakness is that there are no windows in the area, so you might have passed long hours without realizing it.

While you don't have that weakness in the Nexus spot, it still has downsides. Unless you're a pre-med student, there isn't a reason to go to the third floor. It's so far off from any of the classes you might have that it would be advisable not to study there before your class. Even then, you might not get to study there since there are too few spots. So when those peak study times come up, you won't be able to find a seat there. 

Regardless of their weaknesses, these spots are still the best because their downsides outweigh their good. Also, on campus, there are a lot of study spots or spots that might look good but are not at all. The commuter lounge, for instance, is always full of people, and it can get pretty crowded. The same thing goes for the cafeterias in both Post Hall and the University Center. They might even be worse. Studying outside might not always be accessible due to weather. Regardless, in the end, always look for spots that are accessible to you, that don't have too many distractions, and, most importantly, are comfortable for you.