For commuters and students living on campus, finding the perfect cozy spot or place to study on campus is more than just a luxury; it’s a necessity. With the demands of daily classes, academic pressures, extracurricular commitments, and those awkwardly long gap periods, having a peaceful and comfortable place to retreat can make a significant difference. Accessible, inviting spaces on campus can provide students with a sense of comfort while enhancing focus and productivity.
There are so many spaces on campus to choose from, enough to choose a new place every day of the week. Whether students prefer quiet, ambient environments or enjoy studying alongside peers, there’s a perfect place for everyone.
Popular Study Spots to Check out
The library remains a timeless study location, offering ample seating, private study rooms, group workspaces, and more across its second through sixth floors. Beneath the library near the Crave and Phoenix Subs downstairs, there are additional seating areas. The spot behind these locations boasts natural lighting, numerous tables and chairs, and conveniently placed outlets. It’s a beautiful spot to study, especially during the winter, and an ideal place to enjoy lunch while tackling homework.
And when students need a little more energy to keep them going—campus cafés come in. These bustling spots are perfect for students who thrive on the combination of caffeine and a little background noise. The first floor of Wood Hall is also a popular spot, featuring comfortable seating and abundant natural light. The hallways are often lined with students making the most of this vibrant and scenic space.
Hidden Gems on Campus
For students looking for quiet, lesser-populated spaces, consider these spots:
- Commuter Lounge: Located right behind the Phoenix Club, a smaller space yet all the comforts, with good seating, lamps, a microwave, and even a TV. It provides a cozy, enclosed atmosphere, making it an excellent option for off-campus students during gap periods.
- Rose Hall (2nd Floor): With bright natural lighting and spacious tables, this spot is perfect for spreading out study materials or enjoying a meal
- Instructional Services and Studio Arts Building: Often overlooked, these locations are quiet, making them ideal for focusing on projects or studying for exams.
Insights from Students and Alumni
For commuter student Rylie Wendt, natural lighting and background noise are key elements of an ideal study space. “I look for a space with natural lighting because it helps me stay on task and feel less seasonal depression being cooped up inside,” Wendt shared. “I also need a fair amount of background noise because I can’t really focus on complete silence.”
Wendt highlighted one major challenge: “The spaces being filled up or busy already. I mainly have problems with MAC and the union when finding a space because it’s a busy central area on campus.”
Recent graduate Solana Moreno reflected on how certain campus spots were essential during her undergraduate years. “The commuter lounge was a quiet room with nice lighting, and it allowed me to focus and also relax on the couches,” Moreno said. Rose Hall stood out to her for its spacious tables and outdoor views, especially in the winter and fall.
“The tables were spacious enough for me to sprawl out my notebooks, textbooks, laptop, and even lunch,” said Moreno.
For focused work, Moreno praised the individual study rooms. “They were quiet, secluded, and free from distractions, plus they had fans, and I like white noise,” Moreno said. She also mentioned the energy of more niche spots like FNS, where she often met friends and brainstormed projects using the whiteboards.
Finding the Perfect Spot
Whether it’s the library’s quiet upper floors, bustling downstairs area, the vibrant atmosphere of a café, or hidden gems like Rose Hall or the commuter lounge, cozy study spots are vital for navigating the challenges of student life. These spaces provide more than just a place to work; they’re spaces for decompressing, connecting, and staying focused.
If UWGB students haven’t yet explored all the cozy study spots on campus, there are plenty of options to discover. Students might just find the perfect place to make those insufferably long days, gap periods, or moments of procrastination much more manageable and enjoyable.
