Rutgers’ Best Study Spots on College Ave

As Rutgers’ only 24-hour library, the Archibald S. Alexander Library is practically the most popular place to study on campus– and understandably so! This library is home to countless different places to study, including a newly renovated study area on the main floor with computers, large tables with charging stations, and whiteboards for working out homework problems. Located on the same floor is a separate undergraduate reading room that is also a great place to get work done. Other than this, the library also has private study rooms and more public study spaces on its upper levels.

Open from 7 AM to 12 AM most days, the Rutgers Academic Building (AB) is a newly built centerpiece of the College Avenue campus. The building has two wings, West and East, consisting of over 20 rooms. These rooms have moveable tables and chairs, good lighting, and plenty of outlets for students to charge their laptops or tablets. While all the rooms are used as classrooms on the weekdays, they can be used as study areas on the weekends. With active learning classrooms that have whiteboards on all four walls, the Academic Building is a popular study destination during exams season. There is also a computer lab with color and black-and-white printing available. Another lovely characteristic of the AB is that it houses Cafe West, a food place that accepts meal swipes. If you get hungry while studying in the winter, there is no need to leave the building and walk through the cold for a quick snack– the cafe is inside! The academic building is usually very peaceful, so it is one of our favorite places to frequent when we need to study.

Located on Somerset Street, the Barnes & Noble at Rutgers isn’t just a place to buy textbooks for class or spirit wear for game days! Its second floor is host to a small computer station as well as multiple tables and outlets for setting up camp for a study session. Complete with a Starbucks Café on the main level, this location is perfect for both test prep and coffee breaks. 

A small spot located on Easton Ave near the train station, Efe’s Cafe is family-owned and has delicious hot or iced coffee, cakes, and pastries. Unlike Starbucks, where it’s always busy and crowded with people in your way, this Cafe is a serene place with good music and sweet aromas.

Open to the public during campus operating hours, the Honors College is a great, often less-popular study location right in the heart of the College Avenue campus. With multiple wings with tables and charging stations (as well as private study rooms to work in when available), this is ideal if you are looking for a quieter place on campus to get work done for class. Located close to the Academic Buildings, the Honors College is a convenient place to stop between classes for brief study sessions. Just be sure to conduct yourself respectfully during your visit, as the building is a residence hall and home to many active classrooms during the week.

A frequent bus stop on the College Avenue campus, the Student Center is also a place for studying, club meetings, and exercising. The building has several floors, many with spacious rooms, couches, and connecting tables. Some notable areas within the Student Center are the main lounge on the 1st floor and the food court on the G1 floor, the floor below ground. These two places are perfect for studying, as it is peaceful and the chairs are comfortable for long-time seating!

A hidden gem found on College Ave, the Gardner Sage Library is perhaps the most beautiful place to study. With classic bookshelves, stained glass, and sculptures, this library is a must-see before you graduate, even if just for a brief visit. While this library is the property of the New Brunswick Theological Seminary, it is open to all students who respectfully follow all guidelines as set by the school.