There’s a slight chill in the air, and the leaves are starting to turn, which means that it’s time to get into the fall feels. With midterms lurking around every corner, sometimes the best way to power through is to romanticize every moment, even when you’re locking in. Here are my favorite autumn anthems to listen to as I gear up for exams in various FSU study spots!
The Most Popular FSU Study Spots
Dodd Hall: “Kingston” by Faye Webster
Dodd Hall is a popular study spot, but it never falls flat in the same way that “Kingston” by Faye Webster will never fail me. It’s beautiful all year-round, but in the fall, it’s an even better environment to immerse yourself in and motivate yourself to get some work done.
It feels like a slower-paced place, perfectly represented by Webster’s slow chords and soft voice. If you’re looking for a beautiful environment that’s just inspiring, Dodd Hall is the perfect place for you to settle down and get some work done.
Patchwork Coffee: “Thread” By Now, Now
Patchwork Coffee is right next to campus, and it’s such a comfortable study spot that I couldn’t resist adding it to this list. It’s a small, homey place, and it definitely helps that there’s coffee easily and readily available.
Thinking of what song encapsulates the vibe of Patchwork Coffee, I immediately landed on “Thread” by Now, Now. It’s a little bit of an eclectic place that feels like an awesome guitar riff, which doesn’t sound like it would be conducive to studying, but trust me, it is.
The Williams Building Courtyard: “Possibility” by Lykke Li
A quiet, calm place like the Williams Building courtyard is perfectly represented by “Possibility” by Lykke Li, and it’s a seriously underrated study spot. Being outside can be refreshing, especially after long classes in cold, air-conditioned rooms.
The Williams Building courtyard always seems to have a little breeze, just like Li’s slow, soothing voice. With “Possibility” playing, it’s easy to concentrate on your work and recover from a scattered mind there.
1851: “Witches” by Alice Phoebe Lou
“Witches” by Alice Phoebe Lou is the quintessential autumn song, which means it’s representative of the perfect study spot: 1851. The food hall is slightly busier, but it’s still easy to fall into your work and focus your mind. With a bunch of different restaurants readily available, 1851 is ideal for longer lock-ins and demanding projects. To me, “Witches” sounds like cute fairy lights and people-watching, which is exactly the sort of vibe 1851 offers.
The Sweet Shop Cafe & Lounge: “Don’t Delete the Kisses” by Wolf Alice
The Sweet Shop is an FSU classic for a reason; it’s genuinely so good. If I were going to sum up the college experience in one space, it would be coffee and studying or weekend brunches at the Sweet Shop.
Personally, I really love all the doodles and signatures on the walls. Having that kind of history ingrained into the walls can be really inspiring as a study space, with generations of students having studied there before you. Wolf’s “Don’t Delete the Kisses” captures this kind of nostalgic, welcoming vibe of the Sweet Shop.
William Johnston Building: “Lovefield” by Underscores
The William Johnston Building (WJB) never fails me when I’m looking for a comfortable space to study. It’s bright, but quiet enough that you can really focus on the work in front of you. As opposed to some of the other places, the William Johnston Building has a much more modern vibe, which is why I thought “Lovefield” by Underscores is the perfect song to represent it.
Since it’s such a creative space, WJB also helps get your mind moving when you feel stuck on a difficult concept. There are so many different little seating areas that, no matter what floor you settle into, you can find the layout that best motivates you to get your work done.
Don’t let exams ruin your daily routine. Make FSU feel like your study haven to make the most of midterm season as we transition into fall!
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