My Favourite Study Spots on Campus

With midterms hanging like a dagger over our heads, Obies are on the GRIND! It's once again the time of the year where libraries on campus are overflowing with students who are: 

• Sleep-deprived 

• Staring at their screen with glossy eyes 

• Barely swallowing their food as they return back to their keypad with greasy fingers that just touched some sweet potato fries from The Rath

• Zoning out in space 

• Some oddballs, super hyper & energetic with all that adrenaline build-up dancing and singing around the library (like me!) 

It's a whole spectrum here! With exam season on my mind, here is a list of my favorite study spots (some indoor, some outdoors) on campus over the years. I love writing on whiteboards and understanding how everything fits together and also studying around a lot of people so my list is influenced by those preferences.

Indoor spots 

Science Library & Love Lounge: This is the god-tier library, something for every mood. The long glass windows, fresh plants, random brain photos, and the chemical periodic table do it for me. The 3 main parts of the science building I go to are: 

• The science atrium: a good socializing & study spot 
• The science library: an excellent 'buckle-down and get shit done' spot
• The Love Lounge (on the second floor): a good 'cry over Ochem' spot

Mudd 1st floor & womb chair: This is a great spot if you love working around people. First-floor highlights: 

• Cool roly-poly whiteboards that I love to write on 
• Constantly bump into friends, aka study fiends :) 
• Azzie's cafe right there if you need the caffeine boost 
• Friendly and functional printer called 'commons-bizhub' lives here

North Starlight Lounge: I lived in North my sophomore year. The lounge on the second floor is a great spot to study with its big windows and cozy vibe. 

Slow Train Cafe: This cafe downtown is a great spot, especially when I need the extra motivation and a change of scene from the libraries, but be wary I've burned a small hole in my pocket with all the coffee I get here! 

The Hotel at Oberlin lobby: The lounges are a good escape spot from the usual campus spots. Plus, it's a lot more fun when you see all these 'real adults' giving you the pitiful 'look, the college kid!' look. 

Pyle Co-op: I eat in this dining hall, so it's super convenient to grab a corner spot and get some stuff done until the meal is ready. 

Wilder ~ window nook: When the libraries are closed, sometimes I study here by the window facing Wilder Bowl. It's a good spot if you like to be around people when you work. 

Severance psychology lounge: The psychology lounge is another fun lounge. Come hang out with the psyc kids; we are the best major, with the best people on campus (just saying!). 

Burton Lounge: Burton has a bunch of lounges that are pretty conducive for studying. This is the building where I currently live and write my blogs in the first floor lounge. 

Outdoor spots 

Science Bowl: I love this spot because the internet connection is mostly stable, and the view of the campus is pretty nice out here. 

Wilder porch/Wilder Bowl: The tables and chairs on the porch are perfect for a beautiful day…..full of work! 

Gazebo (Tappan Square): Major pro: has a power outlet!! So yay if you like to work outdoors but are also running out of battery.  

North Quad: I love sitting down on the grass, soaking up the sun (when it's out), and doing my readings here.