Allie Rose Lorenti
The weather’s getting warmer. The itch to throw a blanket down in the grass and bask in the sun grows stronger. All you want is to tan and talk with your friends all day without a single worry in the world. Unfortunately, with warmer weather brings the busy season of the semester. Exams and projects pile up all at once. It feels like you’ll never get out from under the mountain!
You must deal with the cards you have and study, no exceptions. The library feels unappealing with the first breath of spring just outside its windows, but the only outside study hotspot you know is the Academic Quad. The Quad gets, well, overcrowded. Great minds think alike, and there you’ll find a sea of blankets and towels with friends perched atop them laughing and chatting away. Games of frisbee overhead, this is no place to study.
Fear not! I have compiled a list of 5 niche study spots for you (and your friends) to lock in and get your work done without fear of being bashed in the head by a frisbee.
1. Outside of the Lawrence Center
Located outside of the Lawrence Center are a collection of shaded tables surrounded by a calming scenery of fresh plants. While the hustle and bustle of students are indoor, ordering food at the Einstein Bagels or upstairs at the multitude of student centers, the outdoor benches offer a quieter setting for studying. Typically only the soft chatter of passing students can be heard, offering a comforting white noise.
Plus, there’s the comforting aroma of freshly baked bagels, adding to the ambience and offering study fuel😋
2. E.O. Bull Outdoor Seating
Calling all Art & Theatre majors! You may be thinking, “I don’t have the time to walk all the way down to the Lawrence Center.” Fear not! There are plenty of secluded, calming, and quiet outdoor benches to study at at your very own E.O. Bull Building!
They’re located in between the crevices of the building at various entrances. On the average day, the spaces are rarely overcrowded, and the students that are working there have an unspoken agreement that the spaces are a quiet place (with only the soft sing of the wind providing some study music).
3. Saxby Benches
If you’re looking for a study spot more in the center of campus, the benches outside of Saxby’s and Qdoba are the perfect place! Again, there’s food and coffee options for a little pick me up, and it’s a little busier if you need the hustle and bustle of student life to lock in.
There is not as much greenery in this space either, so if you’re prone to springtime allergies but still want to enjoy the newfound warmth of the sun, this is the perfect spot for you!
4. Pigment and Dye Garden
We’ve addressed our Creative Arts majors, now it’s time to cater to our Science Students, especially if you’re a nature lover. Outside of the Merion Science Center and the Mather Planetarium is where the pigment and dye garden resides. The plants provide a cooling shade that still allows the sun to hug you without burning your skin.
The chirp of the crickets and the floral fragrance of the flowers add the the serene environment, and again, the student population there tends to be more sparse. The classrooms are close by, so when it is time for class again, the commute won’t be long, and there’s also dining options nearby (such as the Church Street Food Trucks)!
5. South Campus Hammocks
Attention South Campus Residents! At this point, you may be feeling un-included as all the study spots so far have been on North Campus. Well, this one’s for you!
Located at both The Village and East Village are the famous Hammocks! It’s got all the stops: comfortable, out in nature, AND close to your apartment! As for business, it is definitely a more popular spot, so the noise levels depend on the day.
In The End…
…the best study spot is the one that serves you! If it’s in nature, then study in nature! Maybe it’s surrounded by busy campus life or secluded in peace and quiet. Find those spots! If you don’t know what it is you need to study your best, then I just gave you 5 brand new spots to try (and mostly with food, too!) Happy Studying!
