Where to Study When You’re Over the Library

The Fairfield DiMenna-Nyselius Library gets extremely crowded during finals week. You spend a decent part of the time there trying to find a decent place to work that isn’t flooded with other people, books, papers, phones vibrating, printers going off, and copy machines beeping, scattering about your eyes and clogging your brain. Here are some other options on and off-campus that could be a good place to go study.

On-Campus:

Campus Ministry (below the Chapel)It’s quiet; there are comfy couches, a nice long table, a kitchen with free food (sometimes), and, my favorite part, a huge saltwater fish tank that you can look at while your brain needs a break. If there is a meeting going on in the main room where the fish tank is, there are two other little rooms to do work in.

51 McInnes LoungesMcInnes residents are very lucky to have two lounges on the second and third floors and a large lounge on the first floor. These lounges have large windows that make the rooms open, light, and airy. Plus they have great people-watching views.

BaroneSeriously, go to Barone during the off-hours and you’ll find a nice booth in the corner and food whenever you want it. The negative is that there are only a few outlets, but you can find them behind the booths. I suggest going between 2:30 and 5:30 pm. 

Dolan School of BusinessI’m an A&S student, so I’ve only been in DSB a few times, but the dining room and the large space that face Barlow Road are perfect places to do work. There are round tables and large windows that give the rooms an airy feel. Feeling stuffy and enclosed while studying is the worst!

The Kelley CenterThere are really cool and comfy seats there and a few tables. Sure, it’ll be crowded during a tour, but the crowd comes and goes quickly. Whenever I walk through there, it seems to be pretty empty. It’s worth giving a shot.  

Off Campus:

StarbucksThe main Starbucks past Rite Aid on Post Road is a great place to study, but it can get crowded because Fairfield citizens and students alike know the upstairs is a prime working spot. The Starbucks in the Fairfield Bookstore is usually empty in the morning. The booths along the side all have outlets and if you snag one of those, you’re set for the day. Those are the best seats. (And you won’t get kicked out for bringing in a Firehouse sandwich). 

Las VetasA nice, quirky coffee shop next to the old Community Theater. They have free Wifi, decent food, and cheap coffee. Just make sure you buy something if you go, or else you could be asked to leave. It’s also empty in the morning and they are open until 10 p.m., but I strongly suggest you avoid going between 3 and 5 because there is a mad, middle-schooler rush at that time. It is brutal. Any other time should be nice!

Fairfield Public LibraryIt’s very spacious with many tables and outlets. It’s quiet too. The only issue is parking which can be difficult because the lot is small, but you can always park behind the gazebo and walk over.