I am an expert, and you can definitely trust my advice! As a human who has spent more than 1.5 years living on this campus, I have had many experiences where I am studying for something important but have no space to focus. The weekend can be the most difficult, especially if you live in or around party hotspots on campus. Here is a short list of spaces where you might find yourself on a Saturday afternoon:  

Owen D. Young Library Our brutalist library was constructed with the needs of studious scholars in mind. Not only are all three floors air-conditioned, but there are plenty of seats and tables where studying is made possible. The first floor has a few study spaces akin to cubicles, where you can set up for a few hours and complete your assignments. But if you are like me, it’s highly likely you prefer the individual study rooms on the third floor. The third floor also has a nice open table set up in the back of the library when you make a right coming up the stairs. Consider your specific needs in mind, as this space has a plethora of options to choose from.   

Herring-Cole For some, complete silence is a must-have. If you plan to write a 50-page government report or even a short 5-page essay- Herring Cole provides all the mausoleum vibes needed to successfully write a cohesive piece of mastery. The walls are very thick and thus maintain an almost perfect amount of quietude. In the wintertime, it can get very hot and thus can be a little too cozy for long-term focus. A few drawbacks of this space are the inside smells oddly dusty, and it’s a trek to access in the winter.   

Ireland Greenroom One of my favorite spaces to study on campus is the Ireland Greenroom in EJ Noble Building. The green room is a lush and cozy greenhouse hallway with overarching glass ceilings and grey flooring. There are both tables and couches, as well as lamps for a perfect study vibe. About this time, it tends to be quite warm but quickly becomes a perfect spot in the early winter. Currently, the space is filled with plants that belong to a professor, which adds a nice touch to the environment. During the wintertime, the green room becomes a lovely place to study if you require the simulation of consistent sunlight to focus. A major drawback is that this location is a trek to access if you are not already living in Kirk Douglas Hall or Whitman Hall. The back room is reserved for those with seniority, audacity, and pretty privilege. You will find me there often.   

Sullivan Student Center And last but never least, the student center. The student center is a complex combination of spaces dedicated to student activities. The best places to study are the second and third floors, around the center gate. The tables have recently been updated as part of a campus revamp. They now come with plugs and USB charger ports in the center of the table. These places are nice if you are just stopping by in between classes or are studying with a friend at the end of the day. The third floor specifically has huge open windows that overlook Dana Dining Center and the Piskor building. In the wintertime, this can be a great refresher for someone who enjoys studying with accessible doses of Vitamin D. The Student Center is never closed, so studying is possible at any time of the day.  

Pro Tip: If you have already declared a major, there are sometimes rooms available dedicated to your field of study. I have only been made aware of some of these spaces, but they do exist. I encourage you to explore all your options and find what works for you!  

****As an expert, none of my opinions are backed by facts or quotes- simply pure vibes.