As midterms pile up and finals creep closer, finding a place free of distractions for studying is essential. Many of the popular options such as College Library, Memorial Library and the variety of coffee shops are widely known and used by students. Still, there are numerous places that go unknown because they are kept a secret or just because this place is so damn big.
Everyone has a favorite study spot on campus; however, an important factor in choosing a favorite study spot is whether or not it is a secret from everyone else. Fortunately, five secret study spots are being revealed on a scale of one to 10 that are not too well known, but are absolutely fabulous.
Kohler Art Library in the Chazen Art Museum
Best known for its black leather chairs, this may be the most comfortable library to sit in. There are more than a dozen chairs, which make your body melt into them like quicksand. There is never a problem getting one, an essential part of picking a study spot. However, there is a warning that the likelihood of falling asleep in the chairs is high. For those in need of desperate study measures, do not sit down in the chair! The library also has rectangular tables with regular chairs and several computers.
Pros? It is never too crowded, and there is always a seat available. The atmosphere is welcoming and cozy.
Cons? This library closes early, at 9:45 p.m. on weekdays and 5 p.m. on weekends. In addition, food or drink is not allowed in this library, a rule that is strongly enforced.
Chair comfort - 10
Crowds (1 being too crowded, 10 being not) - 8
Ability to get work done - 8
Ability to sleep - 10
Chance of seeing a
familiar face - 3
Location- 10
Rating: 8.2
Helen C. White Fourth Floor
Access to this library is in a side door to the left of the main entrance. An elevator will take students to the fourth floor, which veering off the left will bring them to the library. Upon entering, being blinded from the sunlight coming from the view of Lake Mendota is unavoidable, but is also breathtaking.
What do frequent users of the fourth floor of College Library think?
This place is a less pressure spot, a bit more laid back comparing to other more competitive locations,\ a student said. The group of students also said they love the view and it is usually not crowded except when fellow grad students are there together doing work.
Cons, if any, are the earlier hours which this floor closes at, and also the non-excitement of coming to College Library. On the contrary, students are for sure going to fall in love with this place.
Chair comfort - 9.5
Crowds - 9
Ability to get work done - 9
Ability to sleep - 10
Chance of seeing a familiar face - 1
Location - 5
Rating: 7.25
Van Hise Study Rooms 4th Floor
This conveniently located campus study spot is ideal for in-between-class studying. For those who need an extra bit of cramming before a calculus exam in Van Vleck or for a language exam in Van Hise, this is the perfect place. Not a sound is heard except for the crinkling of plastic bags containing students' afternoon snacks. There are plastic chairs, wooden tables and plenty of room for students to lay out their books.
After interrupting a student from his studies about why he chose to come here he said, ""It's just a really great location in respect to my classes and nobody really thinks to come here.""
Pros? It is so quiet that you hear the wind blowing in dead February. Wireless Internet is available also. Rather than going back to a dorm or apartment during the day to waste time or take an afternoon nap, students could actually get serious studying done without going to a library.
Cons? Making noise or talking is not an option. It also gets very crowded during exam weeks and during the day between classes. Overall, Van Hise is a very practical study spot for students who need alone, distraction-free study time.
Chair comfort - 5
Crowds - 8
Ability to get work done - 10
Ability to sleep - 7
Chance of seeing a familiar face - 6
Location - 10
Rating: 7.6University Book Store 2nd Floor
Access to this study lounge is very simple. Once entering the book store, go onto the main shopping floor, and behind the cashier desks there will be stairs upward to this secret study spot. Upon entering, there will be a small room filled with mini black tables and red leather-cushioned chairs.
Pros? Free Internet connection, privacy, not crowded and an almost opposite atmosphere of the library. Cons? There is a TV on the lower level that is on and music playing softly from the bookstore. Additionally, the café downstairs brews coffee frequently. This location is probably best for solo study sessions because the tables are small and would not be effective with big groups. It might be noisy at certain times such as weekends and the beginning and end of the semester.
Chair comfort - 4
Crowds - 10
Ability of get work done - 7
Ability to sleep -1
Chance of seeing a familiar face - 5
Location - 9
Rating: 6Union 2nd Floor
In Memorial Union, on the second floor, there is a large, picturesque room decorated ornately. Huge columns, a lake view, a grand piano and high ceilings make this is an attractive atmosphere for studying.
Pros? It is a large open space, you can easily grab study snacks from downstairs and when it is warm outside, you can study on the balcony of the terrace.
Cons? Noises of passersby can be distracting. There is also a sign on the piano that reads ""the piano may be played after 5 p.m.,"" which may cause disturbances during a study session. Another issue that students could have is that the scent of food is smelled from the cafeteria one floor below.
Chair comfort - 7
Crowds - 8
Ability to get work done - 6
Ability to sleep - 2
Chance of seeing a familiar face - 5
Location - 8
Rating: 6
Photos By Elizabeth R. Butkovich, Lauren Griswold and Christopher Guess
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