Finals: awful, right? It is usually the worst week of the entire semester. Teachers always try to squeeze in all the assignments they have forgotten or ran out of time for and make them due the day of the final. They always decide to give out 12-page study guides, that is if they give out study guides at all. So all of a sudden, you have a test to study for, a paper to write and a project to finish before going to take these ridiculous tests.
So with finals around the corner, everyone is overloaded with homework and studying. So, of course, everyone rushes to the library to get a great spot and stake out in the study hole for the rest of the week.
For all of the underachievers out there, myself included, when you show up to the library the day before your test, it is so packed there is nowhere to sit in the entire place. So, for all of you, I have been an overachiever this year and found my study spot over a week in advance, just so I could tell the rest of the underachieving population about my previous study places to make sure no one has to deal with this library overload.
1. McCool Hall: The business school prepared nicely for finals week. There are study rooms in McCool with tables, chairs and all your study essentials – including snack and soda machines down the hall. The only problem with McCool is you have to plan ahead because the study rooms will fill up, but there are a few tables and chairs in a common room just in case you are too late and there aren’t any spots left.
2. The Union: Most people do not actually think the Union is a good study spot, mainly because it is so loud in the food court area. But the Union has a second story, which most people do not go to unless they have to – there are some great empty rooms, quiet spots and nice couches on the top floors – and people rarely think about the Union being a prime study location. There is also a balcony on the second floor, which is pretty quiet and isn’t too breezy.
3. Swalm Chemical Engineering Building: The basement of Swalm has a good study spot. There is a nice common room for people to study, and it is pretty convenient. The only downside is there is only one big room for people to study, so if multiple people are talking and studying together, it could be distracting.
4. State Fountain Bakery: The bakery has a few prime study locations. There are some nice couches and tables in the bakery for some relaxed study time, but they also have some good tables, set off from the food section which are never very loud. And if it is a nice day, you can sit outside under the umbrellas and get some good studying down.
5. The Drill Field: I have saved the best for last. Most people think sitting under a tree in the grass is lame, but really, it can be quite peaceful. In between classes, there is never anyone on the Drill Field and it is fairly quiet. The best study sessions I have had were on a blanket under a tree on the edge of the Drill Field by Allen Hall.
So, for once, get yourself a good study spot; it might make studying a little less painful.
April Windham is the assistant news editor of The Reflector. She can be contacted at [email protected].