It’s Crunch Time: The Best Places to Study at Emerson

At this point, it has become painfully obvious that it is finals week. Red Bulls are all sold out in the Max and the LB C-Store and almost every seat in the library has been taken by a student or their stuffed backpack. After so many hours studying in your room, your bed begins to look appealing, and you want to retreat and surrender to your fate of just passing every final exam. But you’re almost there! If you’re the type that needs to get out of your room, suite, apartment, or house to study or bang out the last 3 pages of a paper, HC Emerson brings you the best places to study on campus.
 

1. Quiet study lounge: The good thing is that it’s just just what it’s name says it is: quiet. However, the if you’re trying to keep to yourself and cozy up in your own corner, this place isn’t for you. If you look up at any point, you automatically make awkward eye contact with someone who happens to be looking up at the same time because everyone in the whole room can see each other, ALWAYS. And, whenever someone enters the room, I’m pretty sure 95% of the people in there look towards the squeaky door. You’re also technically not allowed to bring any food into the room, even though I do see students do it all the time. Other than that, it’s a nicely-furnished room, and I’m sure I’m not the only student who has seen many-a-nap taken in there because of it’s dim lighting and quiet atmosphere.

2. Phi Alpha Tau Study Room: Located on the sixth floor of the Walker Building, this little room is perhaps the j-floor’s best kept secret. It’s newly furnished, has recessed lighting so the fluorescents don’t completely burn your retinas, and you can hide out and go unnoticed by fellow students. Perfection. Oh, except that it’s ENTIRELY IMPOSSIBLE to get any semblance of an internet connection while you’re holed up in there studying. I go crazy just because I can’t refresh my Gmail inbox. But this place is great if you have reading to do or a paper to write that doesn’t require you to access the internet.

3. Iwasaki Library’s Quiet Study Area: The quiet study area can be found in the back of the Iwasaki library. It’s home to multiple tables and comfy chairs, and students who hang out there typically follow the “quiet” rule. While you won’t find much space to yourself and awkward eye contact may happen regularly, this is one of the few places in the library where seats aren’t always full. This quiet study area also has the advantage of being open later because of extended study hours, which the others do not.

4. Iwasaki Library’s study desks: If, and that’s a big if, you are lucky enough to snag one of these suckers, there are few downsides to the situation. At these desks, you can keep to yourself and have enough space to spread your stuff out. Also, unlike some other designated quiet areas, you won’t get the death stare for unwrapping a candy bar. Passerby’s may be distracting, and they may be able to see your computer screen if they really tried to stop and check out who you are Facebook stalking from over your shoulder. But if your browsing habits aren’t entirely embarrassing, these desks are a solid choice.

5. Library Study Rooms: If you have a friend that you study for exams with, these rooms are perfect. While some are situated on the same floor as the library, there are also some on the fourth floor of the Walker Building, where you don’t have to deal with library-goers walking by and inevitably peeping in to see if they know anyone in the room. And sometimes, if you’re lucky enough, you can sit in on these by yourself if they’re not reserved for a group.

Happy studying, Collegiettes!