As finals season is approaching at Mississippi State University, students are looking for the best places to do their studying. During this season, the popular areas such as Mitchell Memorial Library or the Colvard Student Union can rapidly turn into crowded, anxiety-filled places. Beyond these busy hot spots, there are various smaller, less popular spots that are perfect for peaceful studying. Whether students are looking for privacy, focus or just a break from the chaos, these under-the-radar spots might become students’ new go-to destinations during finals week.
Chapel of Memories
The Chapel of Memories is one of the most peaceful locations on campus and offers a delightful indoor location for studying. The long pews that fill the building are comfortable and spacious, and it is almost always quiet.
Students who thrive in the fresh air and natural light will also find the Chapel of Memories courtyard appealing. Whether you need a silent area for individual studying or a place for group sessions, the courtyard offers plenty of space. As long as the weather is good, the courtyard is a refreshing, stress-free alternative for a finals season study session. With its stone pathways and scenic backdrop, the courtyard feels tucked away from the campus rush and provides students a calming environment ideal for any studying.
Whether students are looking for an outdoor scene to escape into their books or an indoor getaway that is comfortable enough for long hours while not chaotic like the library, they should check out the Chapel of Memories.
McCool’s E-Center Pods
Inside McCool Hall, students will find one of the most underrated study locations of campus: the E-Center study pods. These individual pod-style desks provide quiet, private spaces. While McCool is one of the campus’s busiest locations, the E-Center is less busy. The modern set-up in the E-Center eliminates distractions, and the pods’ location provides peace and focus that can be hard to find this time of year. If students are looking for a place to disappear into their laptops for hours on end, the E-Center is open to all students from 8-5 p.m. on weekdays.
McComas Hall
Students can find comfortable seating inside the McComas Hall lobby. Both floors of the building feature cushioned chairs and spacious places to lounge. The windows covering almost every wall allow for a relaxed and open atmosphere with natural lighting, and the quiet corners filled with seating are made for students who want to study. Whether you are looking for a quick study in between classes or planning a long, ongoing study session, McComas provides a cozy and calm setting that many students overlook.
Hilbun Hall
Another study area that flies under the radar sits just outside Hilbun Hall, alongside one of the most scenic fountains on campus. The soft bubbling of the fountain combined with the surrounding open space creates a calming atmosphere that feels miles away from the stress of finals, even though it is only just steps away from the academic core of campus. This area offers plenty of seating options, including benches and ledges perfect for laying out notes or setting up a laptop.
Because it is less traveled than the Drill Field or main walkways, this area stays quieter throughout the day, which makes the location ideal for anyone who needs a peaceful place to read, write or decompress between study sessions. On a beautiful afternoon when the weather is just right, this is one of the most serene locations MSU has to offer.
Old Main Academic Center
Although one of the busiest classroom buildings during the day, Old Main Academic Center becomes one of the most reliable places to study once the rush clears on campus. When the weather starts to become unbearably cold, yet people do not want the chaos that comes with the library, Old Main is one of the best alternatives. Students can access private study rooms, open tables, cushioned seating areas and long counter tops that run along each floor. With comfortable seating and an academic atmosphere without the crowds at the library, Old Main is an ideal place to hunker down for serious study time.
Stennis Institute of Government and Community Development
Students will find another outdoor study area outside the Stennis Institute of Government and Community Development. The building’s front walkway features seating surrounding a water feature and provides a clear view of the wide lawn that surrounds the area. The traffic around Stennis is not overwhelming either, creating a balanced atmosphere where people can feel connected to campus while still being able to concentrate. Students can enjoy the shaded benches or bring a blanket to sit in the open greenery, so Stennis is the perfect calm study location.
As finals week approaches and as the usual favorite study spots hit full capacity, exploring these underrated locations can make all the difference in students’ finals experience. From indoor havens such as Old Main and McCool’s E-Center pods to peaceful outdoor spots surrounding the Chapel, Hilbun and the Stennis Institute for Government, MSU offers numerous alternatives for students seeking comfort and focus. Try one or maybe all of these spots this finals season, and you might just find your new favorite study spot on campus.
