During my freshman year at the University of California, Berkeley, I always struggled to find the best study spots on campus, especially during midterms and finals. But, over the year, I’ve explored the campus and have now found the best places to study.Â
Discovering these spots was such a benefit, as they were places that allowed me to focus when doing homework. I was able to find the best locations to completely immerse myself in my work surrounded by nature, amazing architecture, and quiet. Being around nature really helps when it comes to focusing. Hearing the birds chirping and seeing the squirrels run around really relaxes me when I have difficult assignments to get done.Â
The first place to study in nature is the Memorial Glade, as it’s located in such a beautiful position on campus where you can see multiple libraries, be around people from time to time, and be under the sun. The next spot would be the Campanile. There are some really great little spots next to the famous tower with seats and lots of grass, making it a great place to study. The last place with amazing natural scenery would be the Faculty Glade. It’s a very quiet place mostly surrounded by trees, giving it the perfect nature feel.
The next study spots that I love going to are the libraries. Each library is very unique and many were built in different decades, showing history through the architecture. The first library I’d recommend is the East Asian Library. It’s such an amazing place to study, as it has a more modern feel to it. On each floor there are study spaces that are perfect for getting your work done. Personally, the top floor is my favorite, as you get a great view of the outside.Â
The next library would be Doe Library. It’s one of the oldest libraries on campus and has so many places for people to study. The reading room is my personal favorite, as it has high ceilings, multiple seats for many students to work, and many books throughout the room. This last spot is one that I like to go to when I want to be somewhere very quiet, and that would be Main Stacks. This library is underground, below Doe, and it’s the perfect place to go when you need to fully lock in for an assignment. Whenever I need to find a textbook for one of my classes, it’s very easy to find it in Main Stacks as it has a very large selection of books.
I truly love to find new places on campus as a way to explore Berkeley more, especially during my freshman year. However, there’s so much more that I have yet to explore, and I can’t wait to discover more on UC Berkeley’s campus.