For as long as there have been annoying roommates, there have been college students trying to find a better place to study than their dorm or apartment. We know the feeling, so we’ve assembled this list of the perfect places around campus to escape the madness of your hostile living environment.
PRW Building “Gathering Room” – This lobby is often abandoned for most of the day, and it has the comforting smell of an elementary school. You never know what you will find in the cracks of the saggy old couches (past discoveries include change, a granola bar and an empty cigarette package). Plus, you can bask in the historical glory of the place where The Crow’s Nest used to hold its weekly meetings. # Ryan Ballogg
Outside – If you don’t mind sprawling on the green and maybe befriending a few ants, there are plenty of shady tree trunks and benches spattered about campus just right for some reading, writing or ‘rithmetic. We recommend this option October through March only, unless you enjoy swimming laps in your own sweat. # Ryan Ballogg
The Snell House – The seminar room in the Snell House is a charming hideaway reserved for honors students; however, if you can sneak through the musty lobby and up the conspicuously creaky stairs without being asked how your thesis is going, the space is ideal for anyone. The century-old house’s dark wood accents, vintage furnishings and mothball-tinged aroma make for a comfortable “Grandma’s house” atmosphere that is almost eerily quiet. # Tyler Killette
Second floor USC – What many students don’t realize is the hallway outside of the Ballrooms is equipped with seats, counter space and power outlets. It is quiet most of the time and perfect for students to set up their laptops and scroll through their Facebook newsfeed…er, we mean study. Be sure to check the USC calendar before setting up camp, however. If there’s an event going on in the Ballrooms, you’ll wish you would have stayed with those annoying roommates. # Jennifer Nesslar
The Waterfront – Ever since the Student Green Energy Fund installed the seats with charging stations, it’s been the secret quiet spot. The umbrella provides shade and the view of the water is soothing for Calculus stress. There usually isn’t much bustle unless campus maintenance is trimming the grass, but it’s simple to avoid. For further seclusion, seek out the tiny garden in the center of the lawn, filled with benches. Your friends can’t easily spot you, so you’re less likely to be interrupted. Ah, fresh air. # Amanda Starling
Your car – This isn’t technically a spot on campus, but using your car as a study spot has its benefits. It can be a cozy, quiet space to cram in studying before running to class, especially for commuters. Getting to campus early enough also means you can score a decent parking spot while giving yourself a few extra minutes to listen to your favorite music to pep you up or squeeze in a last-minute review before a big exam. Sometimes there’s nothing better to study with than an A/C filled car, your favorite song coming through your factory speakers and a fresh coffee in the cup holder. # Chelsea Tatham
The Bookstore – Whether you’re craving a latte or literature, the Barnes & Noble under the parking garage is for you. The bookstore provides students with a comfortable café setting, some mighty cozy armchairs and, of course, a plethora of reading material. Just be warned that the store comes with its own playlist: if Fleetwood Mac isn’t for you, pack some earbuds. # Erin Murphy
