Study Spots

By Karolyn Castaldo on March 13, 2012

Finding a study spots that fits your needs as a student can be difficult, especially when your library is being renovated and the temporary set up they have in the student center just won’t do. That’s the situation right now at the University of Denver; we’re library-less until December 2012 at the earliest. So, how are we supposed to study?

Having three sets of finals a year on the quarter system, it is important to have study spaces available to the students. The new library that is being built is going to technically be an “Academic Commons”: less a place for dusty books and more a place for a variety of study areas. However, with that not being usable at the current time and with finals upon us, the lack of study space is getting to be stressful.

Photo from Flickr.com by NazarethCollege

Fortunately, we live in Denver and because of that, the weather is absolutely beautiful this time of year. Hit the books outside! What better way to work on your pre-spring break tan than to study in the sunshine. There are plenty of tables outside and more than enough space on Driscoll Green, as well as the green space in front of the Evans Chapel. If you want a more secluded place outdoors, my favorite is the deck right off of the Driscoll Student Center on the North side. Not many people know about it, but it has plenty of tables, chairs, and umbrellas, with more than enough quiet.

If you can’t do work outside, check out the more obscure spaces in the buildings on campus. While Driscoll Underground is definitely the usual place to study and Jazzman’s comfy chairs provide a nice spot, it can get very busy at this time of year. Head over to the Daniels College of Business and study at the tables on the ground floor. Also, both Nagel and Nelson Hall have amazing, tiny study rooms on each floor, that are great for group projects as well as solo work. Even Sturm Hall can provide a little quiet if you  go after class hours. However, try not to take up to much space at the Sturm College of Law Library. The graduate students there get pretty bent out of shape when undergrads are taking over every table.

Seems like everyone in the school is occupying these spots? Get off campus. If you live close, try going home for the weekend before finals to get some serious studying and work done. If not, head to a coffee shop, book store, or public library where you can find some peace and quiet away from school. Stella’s Coffee Shop on Pearl Street might get crowded fast, so think outside of the box. If you want to get outside still, Washington and Observatory Park are great places, close to campus, that never get full because they’re so spacious.

When worse comes to worst, hang out in your room. You and your room mate(s) have been living together for at least half a year now and you should be able to ask them to quiet down when you need to study, or simply just to give you your space. This is when headphones definitely become your best friend. Turn on music that doesn’t distract you too much and get in the zone with your studying.

All in all, find the place that works best for you: loud, quiet, comfy, hard, distracting or distraction-free. You’ll be more relaxed and ready to take on those exams if you do. Good luck!

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