BECC
It’s pretty common that every single Bradley student thinks about BECC when they think about a great study space. The natural lighting makes it extremely welcoming during the day, and it’s easy to fall into a great pace that keeps you there until it’s dark outside. The study rooms are some of the largest, secluded areas to be when you need to get things done on campus, making them the hottest new study area. There are also a lot of great rooms for groups that are looking to book out rooms in order to get everyone to be able to study together. A large amount of classrooms have lots of TVs and seats to have people spread out, while being able to share onto the screens to everyone. However, since everyone is aware of how nice it is to study there, it can feel near impossible to get any space to study during our Study Day, so you have to get there early in the day, or get there at the coincidentally perfect time when someone is just then leaving their study room.
Westlake
The entire building of Westlake is so beautiful and there is also a lot of natural light, adding a warmth to the entire room which allows people to feel comfortable while they study. Inside of the building, there are a lot of locations to set up and study for long periods of time. On the main level of Westlake, there are some corners down the halls where seats are set up with large windows behind you, allowing you to be comfortable and secluded while studying. On the lower level, there are the iconic stairs that tend to be a fan favorite because of the different levels you can sit and stretch out, as well as there being pillows for a pop of color and comfort. Otherwise, there are some locations that just have seats on each level that you can sit at, although you will be more likely to face traffic while sitting there since it’s not as closed off as other areas.
Campus Town Starbucks
If you’re like me, you enjoy having some snacks and drinks to keep you company while you study. To get the best of both worlds, I recommend the Starbucks across the street from campus in Campus Town. With it being a short walk, you can get some fresh air before you start your studying, as well as it being within walking distance so you don’t have to worry if you don’t have a car. The ambiance of Starbucks’ are all the same with the quiet music and the phenomenal smell of coffee, but you’re also there with a lot of other people that are either coming in and ordering or staying to chat. Therefore, if you’re someone that likes to study in a quiet space, I would recommend just popping in to get a pick-me-up before you move to your official study space. If you don’t mind the noise, then this is a great place to be, and you can always put in your headphones if the Starbucks playlist isn’t your ideal studying playlist!
Bradley’s Library
One of the busiest spots on campus during finals is the library. There are so many spaces that you can stay to study, with multiple floors being available for different study vibes. If you want somewhere to study that’s silent while you work, the lowest level is the best one since it’s the only floor that’s designated for being a “quiet area” in the library where talking is highly discouraged. If you’re part of a study group, the second floor is the one to go to with it having the most tables for groups and usually being the most talkative level. If you want to go to the library for the environment but don’t want to deal with sitting at one of the open tables, you can always go into a study room. If you’re lucky, you can find one that’s open and available once you get there. Otherwise, there are a decent amount of study rooms that you can reserve in advance to ensure that you have a space when you get there. The library also extends their hours during finals to allow for students to stay longer than usual to make sure that they are able to get everything done. Something that is also worth mentioning is that you can also get your favorite Starbucks drinks here since there is a Starbucks on the main level. If you want to keep the library aesthetic while getting off campus, you can also check out the Peoria Public Library!
Michel Student Center
You may not think about the Student Center when you think about studying, but I can assure you that there are more study spots than you may realize. The most popular one is the atrium, which is the location on the main level of the Student Center that has the large windows. There are several seats and some tables where you can work with natural light during the day. However, like BECC, it can be hard to get a spot here since so many people enjoy eating there as well as studying. If you go down the stairs of the atrium, you can find two large tables that are great for group study sessions, and there are a few chairs at the bottom of the stairs that are more secluded than the tables. On the lower floor, there are several study rooms that are tucked away where you can study while being away from all of the noise and chaos that is sure to be happening on the main level as people are consistently walking through the Center getting food and talking. If you have a large group that you want to host for Study Day, there are also several rooms that you can book out such as the Ballroom on the top floor, the Executive Suite on the lower floor, and the Gargoyle room on the main floor. All of them have ample amount of space for larger groups to get together to study together. An added bonus to all of it is that you also have access to plenty of snacks and drinks that you can purchase while you’re studying.
Zion Coffee Bar
For those that do have access to transportation that can take you off campus, a popular place to study and get coffee is Zion. It’s about an eight minute drive from campus, so you’re still able to be in the area without being on campus while you study. This is great if you want to study alone or with one other person as you can get a small table together while drinking their fantastic coffee. The entire building is just cute with a lot of plants, natural light, and earth tones that all add to a relaxing atmosphere that promotes productivity. There are also two separate levels that you can study on, with one being the main level and the other being a smaller overhead area. Each has plenty of seats and tables to host everyone that wants to be there. However, much like Starbucks, it can get loud since there are so many people always wanting to get Zion. If this is going to be too distracting, I still recommend giving yourself the mini break to get out of your study space and get some coffee to help you get through everything. Another downside, though, is that they do close at 7pm so everyone that enjoys their late night studying will have to find another area to study once it gets dark.
Dorm Lounge
This one is for those that are living in dorms specifically. Although it may not be people’s first pick, the longues in the dorms are always a great space to study. Despite being large areas, some have options to close the doors so you can have the space to yourself while you work. There is also a TV in most, so you can have the option to hook your laptop up to watch something if it’ll help you. Another great benefit is that you don’t have to leave the building to get there. With all of the above options, you have to bundle up to get there warm, but you can walk into the lounge in your pajamas whenever you’d like since it’s readily available to everyone living there. It’s also a great alternative to your room, since it has been shown that there should be a separation of room and study space when possible. For study day, some dorm halls may also be providing snacks and drinks to the residents, so you can grab some of those to bring you. It can also be a great place to study with your friends on the floor since there is enough room for people to spread out while still being in the same area together for a sense of community.
As you can see, there are a lot of places on and around campus that will be great for those that need to study for finals and want to take advantage of Study Day. The list does not end here; these are just some of my personal favorite places to study throughout the year when I need to get work done. Wherever you settle down to study, just make sure that you’re comfortable and in a strong work environment to ensure that you’re working and not procrastinating. Good luck to everyone on your finals!