Her Campus Logo Her Campus Logo

4 Underrated Study Spots to Look Out For

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UVA chapter.

It’s the middle of midterms season and that means that stress is in the air. So where should you go to find a study-safe spot where you won’t receive disdainful glares when you cough (looking at you Clem 3) or face distractions every time you take a deep breath of air after an Econ problem? Find some inspiration from the list below!

(photo courtesy of stocksnap.io)

1.     Second Floor Nau Hall

Close enough to a Starbucks but not in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the Nau Lecture Hall class exchanges, second floor Nau Hall is hard to beat. A huge bonus is the three-floor-tall wall of windows which allows for a plentiful supply of natural light. However, open tables are hard to come by, so on the chance you find one be prepared to stake out in Nau for the entire day.

2.     The Rotunda!!

Classic, am I right?? Who wouldn’t want to study in the most famous and beautiful building in the world (at least to a UVA student)? The first floor offers open and community style conference rooms and the recently renovated third floor dome room is full of study nooks that are great for tackling your 50-page reading assignment. Embody the ideal of continuous learning in it’s architectural symbol.

(photo courtesy of stocksnap.io)

3.     Music Library

Located in the basement of Old Cabell, the Music Library is quite the hidden gem. There aren’t many tables, but the chairs are some of the comfiest offered from UVA Library. It’s quiet and usually not very crowded, so if you have some time to kill between classes and need to really get work done, I do suggest you check it out.

4.     Fine Arts Library

Yes, it is far away from central grounds, yes, it is slightly hidden in the middle of Arts grounds, but yes, it is one of my favorite places to study all day. The third floor is the uber-quiet area but the window-lined walls are worth it. The library is attached to the A-School, which is full of amazing sculpture exhibitions, and the common area is open with high ceilings and is another great place to get some work done. Also, the Fine Arts Café is—in my opinion—the best on-grounds dining option, so study snack breaks are something to look forward to.(photo courtesy of stocksnap.io)

If none of these study spots suit your ideal study spot environment, don’t fret! Wandering around grounds is always a fun time and I encourage it. Also, it’s a great way to take a study break which are essential in #StudyingSmart!