By Emma Bergmann, SCS Advising Leader
There is no question about it; we are in the thick of this spring semester! While the occasional warm and sunny days have been helping to keep me motivated, I still struggle occasionally to make the most of my open time. With a heavy load of classes and extracurriculars, it can be tricky to feel inspired to hit the books when you have a few free hours. This semester I have been extra committed to combating these feelings by exploring all the study spaces on campus. I have found that getting out of my apartment helps me minimize distractions and maximize productivity. Below are my opinions about some common study spots here at UIUC:
Grainger Engineering Library (North side of Bardeen Quadrangle)
Pros: Grainger is open 24 hours during the week and until 2 am on the weekends. For those of you late night grinders, this really allows you to embrace the study session at any time of day! Grainger also has a complete silence policy on the second and third floor, allowing students to work in a peaceful and noise free environment. My personal favorite space is the desks on the third floor that overlook the main room on the second floor. Great views of the quad and large desks with charging ports!
Cons: For me, Grainger can be a little drab and uninspiring in terms of its decor. It doesn’t offer the academia vibe that some people seek in a study space, so keep that in mind if you need to feel like you are at Hogwarts. The other thing is that I can’t help but associate Grainger with those all-too-stressful CBTF exams.
Main Library
Pros: The Reading Room! I absolutely love this space. There are rows of large communal tables in a giant room that is lined with books. It definitely inspires me and I like the cozy and warm energy. The Main Library is also full of resources for printing, research, and tech help. There is a main area on the first floor dedicated to communal work and allows snacks and drinks too! I also like the central location on campus.
Cons: The main issue is that the main library closes at 10 pm on weekdays. As much as I wish I didn’t have to do work past that time, some days that is the only option. Still, I think it is a great place to stop by during the day between classes. Additionally, it is a bit of an older building so the bathrooms are not as nice as some other facilities.
CIF
Pros: You probably already have classes here anyways so it is a great place to hang out during your breaks! CIF is a sleek and beautiful building and the facilities are incredible. There is an Espresso Royale on the first floor which is awesome for coffee or lunch. The classrooms have huge windows too which brightens the space and helps me feel motivated. Additionally, loads of people love lounging and doing work on those large stairs in the middle of the building.
Cons: There is limited seating outside of the classrooms and it can be difficult to find open rooms during the day. The wooden tables in the hallways usually fill up pretty quickly. The other problem is the lack of charging stations at those tables and in some of the larger rooms. I consider CIF more of a pit stop during the day rather than a place to settle in and study.
Coffee Shops
Pros: Coffee shops make me feel like such a college student! I love going to coffee shops for casual homework sessions or when I am studying socially. Sometimes meeting up with a friend makes doing work feel more like leisure and it can be a great way to combine a hangout with productive time. There is nothing like a fun latte and a pastry to motivate me to complete an assignment! I really like Espresso Royale over by Krannert or Caffe Paradiso on Lincoln. You can’t beat an unlimited stream of caffeine and jazz music.
Cons: I am never successful at really locking in and getting serious studying done in coffee shops. I get distracted easily by people watching and having conversations with my company, so I usually avoid such stimulating environments before an exam. The other problem is that I am bound to spend $10-$15 on treats (which I totally deserve!)
I hope you have enjoyed reading my insight! There are countless other places to explore. I encourage you to get out of your dorm or apartment and make the most of our campus’s endless resources.