As the fall semester comes to an end and final exams creep closer every day, having a good study spot is so important. Academic success starts when you have a good study location that makes you feel motivated to actually get work done. I can’t study in my dorm, so I’m the expert when it comes to study spots across FSU’s campus.
The trademark location for studying at FSU is Strozier Library. That’s where everyone goes to get work done, print papers, or even get Starbucks. While it’s an iconic landmark in the heart of campus, I’m a firm believer in changing things up and trying new things. Here are my recommendations for alternative study locations that might be better than Strozier.
- The Great Outdoors
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FSU is known for its beautiful, expansive landscape filled with old oak trees and historic brick buildings. With the new arrival of fall weather, studying outside has become my favorite thing to do. As I write this, I’m sitting outside Dirac Science Library, enjoying the breeze and admiring the beautiful trees everywhere I look.
The most iconic outdoor FSU location we all know and love is Landis Green. Right in the center of campus lies this beautiful expanse of grass surrounding the Legacy Fountain. Landis has benches to sit on, but you can also lay a blanket on the grass and get to work. Landis is so aesthetic and a great place to get work done if you love the outdoors.
- Dodd Hall Heritage Museum
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This hidden gem is perfect for the quiet studiers who want to feel like they’re in Hogwarts. This historic building from 1923 was the original library of FSU, back when it was known as the Florida State College for Women. It’s a Gothic-style building with gorgeous stained-glass windows, and it’s always dead silent.
The only downsides to this location are its hours and technology. The hours vary from week to week, so you must check before you go, and it doesn’t have outlets to charge your devices. Other than that, it’s the perfect place for a quiet, elegant study session.
- Local Coffee Shops
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Tallahassee is home to three universities and colleges, so it has a vast selection of coffee shops tailored for college students. If you live on campus or don’t have a car with you, The Sweet Shop and Patchwork Coffee are right on campus, across the street from Landis Hall.
Sweet Shop is a beloved café that’s been serving FSU students since 1922, when it was first known as The Wisteria Tea Room. It has the largest menu I’ve ever seen and offers lots of food options as well. There are so many places to sit, and the vibe is just so cozy. However, it has been criticized for being extremely loud at times.
Patchwork Coffee is in the Ruge Hall on campus, serving coffee, chai, matcha, and even a few snacks. This place is so cozy, much quieter than Sweet Shop, and is owned by an FSU alum! Many FSU students love Patchwork for its studious environment and awesome coffee.
If you live off campus, Frother’s Daughter and Calvin’s Coffee House are two locally owned coffee shops with delicious menu options, indoor and outdoor seating, and are overall very cozy places to study.
- ACE Learning Studio
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If you want to get the most out of your tuition payments, take advantage of this completely free resource. On the ground floor of the William Johnston Building, the ACE Learning Studio offers tutoring, study rooms, study equipment (computers, printers, scanners, etc.), and group study sessions!
It’s open practically all the time (other than Saturdays) and is such a good resource. If you’re not looking for tutoring or help, it’s also a very cool spot to study by yourself. It has the same private study rooms as other libraries but also offers lots of regular seating around the building.
- Top Floor of 1851
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Hours of studying can make you so hungry. I know I’ve experienced it, and I also know that studying on an empty stomach just doesn’t work. 1851 offers the perfect mix of dining options and cute study spots. Downstairs, they offer Vato’s Tacos, Bento Sushi, Mac Shack, Joe Mama’s Pizza, and even ice cream or Starbucks if you want a sweet treat.
After getting some grub, you can move up to the top floor, which has so many comfy seating options, chargers for devices, and usually isn’t overly loud. It has a very modern industrial vibe with warm lighting, and if you live on campus, it’s right next to four of the freshman residence halls (Dorman, Deviney, Magnolia, and Azalea).
FSU offers numerous study spots that can satisfy your academic needs. Whether you need a cozy, quiet cove or a loud, bustling café, Tallahassee has it all.