It’s mid-February, and it’s 60 degrees. With the past few months confining studying students to tiny dorm rooms and lifeless College Library, here are some outdoor spaces we are quick to forget about in the winter months. Midterms may be upon us, but so is the springtime sun. Get outside and get studying, Badgers.
Library Mall
Rather than shuffling into Memorial Library between classes, grab a snack from your favorite food cart you abandoned this past season and camp out on the steps or grass outside. This will offer you the perfect balance of page turning and people watching.
The School of Education
While the red door may draw you into the building, you’ll want to continue to the back. The School of Ed offers both a porch with tall tables and a larger patio below that makes for productive group study. Plus, there is a sliver of Lake Mendota in sight and a café inside to fuel your focus.
Lakeshore Dorms
Take advantage of the subdued side of campus and perch yourself on the patio of Liz Waters or hang your hammock near the lake. Freshman or not, take shelter away from the hustle of the center of campus to take in nature and take notes.
Humanities Courtyard
Humanities gets a pretty bad rap. But in the middle of that large cement block is a quaint courtyard, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of University Ave. With some greenery, a table or two, and a few benches, you are sure to have a restful work session between classes.
Bascom Hill
The obvious study spot in the middle of a Tuesday class load, but do not be quick to think of Bascom as overrated. The hill is huge, which means you will never fight for a spot and there is plenty of room to spread out. Additionally, this space comes with ambient sound and a good view of State St.
Benches
The UW-Madison campus has an abundance of benches, and there is a good chance that any particular bench is within distance to a wifi connection. So find your favorite and take a seat!
