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The Best Study Spaces Not Under Construction

Her Campus Placeholder Avatar Mya McCann
Her Campus Placeholder Avatar Rachel Miller
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UCSB chapter.

Behold, Davidson Library, circa now:

Since the construction of Davidson Library, studying there can be a struggle.

The library is an eyesore and the commotion of the construction is a racket that only an industrial noise enthusiast would enjoy.

But students still trek wide-eyed and hopeful, backpacks strapped, books stored, pens ready, all to practice the tradition of studying at the library like there’s no other choice.

Good news, friends: You can break tradition! You have choices!

 

I give you the best alternative study spaces.

 

#1. University Center

 

 
The UCen has comfy couches, booths with tables, and a gorgeous view that overlooks the lagoon and a bit of the Pacific horizon. On sunny days, it’s nice to utilize the bright colored chairs arranged on the grassy lawn, or the tables set up under sun umbrellas. There are computers, scanners and printers to use, as well as the UCSB Bookstore if you need more supplies. There’s also a bunch of places to eat like Wahoos, Panda Express, Jamba Juice and Nicolettis.
 

#2. Mosher Alumni House

The Mosher Alumni House is hosting study nights for UCSB students during Dead Week and Finals Week from 5pm – 11pm. Free snacks are given out and the wireless Internet is much faster here than at Davidson.

#3. UCSB Campus Beach

UCSB is one of the few universities in the world to have its own beach. We’re very lucky. In the time it takes to finish a page of an academic peer-reviewed article from a course reader, you absorb your daily amount of vitamin D while admiring a stunning view. Breathe in the salty, ocean breeze and during your study break, upload an Insta of your notes, with the beach in the background and the hashtag “no filter,” to show off how Gauchos can both study hard, and still have fun.

And in case you’re curious… Here’s a picture of how Davidson should look when construction is over:

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Mya McCann is a fourth year literature student in the College of Creative Studies at UCSB. She currently lives in Bangkok, Thailand and is in the business of running BKK. On the weekends you can find Mya either in the jungle or on an island. On the weekdays she studies Thai and Buddhism and teaches English to sex workers in the red light district. You can follow her adventures on IG: MyaJoy
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Rachel is a senior at UC Santa Barbara and studies Communication and Global Peace and Security. Rachel is from a small, beautiful town in southern California called Palos Verdes. However, Palos Verdes is just one of the many places Rachel has lived. Rachel spent her childhood moving and traveling all over the world, living in places such as Indianapolis, Indiana; Santiago, Chile; Vienna, Austria; and Orlando, Florida. Rachel has found her heart and her home in California, choosing to spend her college years in sunny Santa Barbara. However, Rachel continued her wanderlust when she studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain in Fall 2012. At UCSB, Rachel is an immensely dedicated and involved member of her sorority Kappa Kappa Gamma, where she held the positions of Panhellenic Delegate, Inter-Greek Counselor, Rho Gam, and a member of the Nominating Slate. Best Buddies, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, is a passion of Rachel's, as she is their Social Media Coordinator as well as an active and proud member. As a member of the Lambda Pi Eta Communication Honors Society, Rachel is able to implement her prowess and affinity for communication and communication-related issues. When Rachel is not writing, participating in Kappa events, or volunteering, you can find her in the gym, on the soccer field, watching Modern Family, or cooking. Rachel's love for sports, food, and writing often times go hand-in-hand, as one may see in her weekly blogs. For the past two summers, Rachel has been freelance writing for the Los Angeles Times, and hopes to continue her career pursuit of journalism after she graduates. Rachel is elated to be a part of Her Campus's fabulous team and loves every moment of it!