Ava Zardynezhad General Editor
Campus STUDY Spaces
Like it or not, as university students, we are bound to kill a lot of time on campus. While much of this time will be wasted looking for a spot to sit, for many, this time will be spent studying. So here’s a list of places you can study around campus.
THE TFDL :
THE SUSTAINABILITY RESOURCE CENTRE :
This University of Calgary institution is where many students will go in search of an empty seat. During the hours of the day, the search is not very fruitful, but it’s a risk worth taking. I would recommend studying anywhere above the 4th floor of the TFDL. The upper floors are often quieter and there’s more room for individual study time. If you’re planning to spend the day at the library, be sure to get there early — that would be before 10 a.m. Don’t bother looking for a spot between the hours of 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. You will not succeed. The TFDL is ideal for studying in the late afternoons. There’s access to power outlets almost everywhere in the building so it’s the best place to sit and study for students. I repeat, this is not the best place to go to between classes because you will end up spending more time looking for a place to sit and study than actually studying.
The SRC is located in the Science B building and is an underrated study space. You’ll probably pass by it many times on your way to class or to MacHall and wonder, “What is this peculiar glass room? What purpose does it serve?” Well the SRC serves many purposes. If you’re passionate about issues of environmentalism and sustainability, I’d highly recommend checking out their website. In the context of this article though, this is a great study space for many reasons. There are a few communal tables you can sit at and study with friends. There are enough power outlets to go around and the lighting is everything you’d dream about. There’s some ambient noise, since this isn’t a quiet study space. Lastly, the room never gets that crowded. Keep in mind, you do have to sign in and sign out when you enter and leave the room.
THE LAW LIBRARY :
SOCIAL SCIENCES BASEMENT :
I don’t hate the Law Library. This is one of the quietest places on campus. There are plenty of seats and they’re sufficiently spaced out. There’re outlets galore. Spaces are more limited than the TFDL, but the library doesn’t usually get too crowded. My only issue with this library was that it was always so far from my classes. But, if most of your classes happen close to Education Tower or Murray Fraser Hall, this would be an ideal study space.
I personally don’t recommend studying here. The Social Sciences Basement is often too crowded and loud. There isn’t enough light and because it’s a main entrance into the university, it’s always cold. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be a last resort. It’s definitely a place to sit where you don’t have time to stray too far from the lecture halls in Science Theatres. Like any other place, the seats in this basement are often filled to the maximum during lunch hours. You also won’t have access to a charger here. I will admit, I have spent many mornings before class and many hours before exams studying and reviewing here. It can still serve as a decent study space.
THE ATRIUM : Personally, I really enjoyed studying at the atrium. I loved being surrounded by trees, plants and statues while I studied, especially back when I was taking a classics course. During the day, the Atrium gets super busy, especially around lunch time. However, early mornings and late afternoons are great for studying here. The atrium has a few fundamental issues. It can be chilly inside so be sure to bring a jacket. The chairs are not ergonomically ideal for studying, so you can’t spend long hours sitting down. There is also a serious shortage of power outlets and tables. Overall, the Atrium is a peaceful place to study, where there is a bit of ambient noise, for those who can’t study in total silence. I will say, this is a great place to catch up on reading.
ARTS LOUNGE: My feelings towards the Arts Lounge are mixed. This space can vary between being crowded and relatively empty, so discretion is definitely advised. However, the space is perfect for studying. There are many tables you can sit at, plenty of outlets as well as access to a sink and a microwave oven. This is also a great place to study with friends. Beware of distractions if you decide to study here.
