There it is right in front of me. The naked room. Even the people sitting in this more social room give me a death stare as I stomp about in my Frye’s. I quickly dash into Greenberrys where I order my tall Vanilla Latte. Finally I enter the back room to find every table full with stressed out and serious students studying. And now I know it’s finally that time in the semester to actually read and catch up on the syllabus. Stacks? Study room? Back room? Will I be here till 2 really? And I thought I could avoid Clark until at least midterm time…
For those of us who thrive in a library environment, Clark till close and Clemons till sunrise are a way of life, but for those of us who need a different type of study space, below are just a few of my favorites!
1. Open Grounds
This space just recently opened up and is located right across from the White Spot on the Corner, next to the Women’s Center. This space takes its inspiration from trendy WiFi lounge spots that have exploded all over New York City, and has found a home right here in Charlottesville. The lighting is bright and the room is full of comfortable swivel chairs and white boards. The room is open to anyone Monday-Friday 2-5pm (Tuesday 2-4pm), 7-11:30pm, and Sunday 2-10 pm. Anyone is welcome to use the space, and visitors are asked to write what they’re working on, on the board so that others may inquire about that subject matter if they desire. The main objective of this space is to help foster creativity and allow students and faculty to come together and collaborate on subjects they feel most passionate about.
When to work here? During the day when you have a break between classes or coming from lunch on the corner!
2. Cville Coffee
If you have not been here yet, check it out! Located off of McIntire Road in a convenient shopping center, this coffee shop is the perfect place to get work done! The coffee shop features amazing coffees—try the Milky Way Latte for an extra pick me up—and also offers breakfast items, salads, and sandwiches so you can power through any work session. There is a special room with tons of tables where you can camp out, and even tables outside if you need to let some sunshine in. Added bonus? On the weekends in the evening there is live music so you can take a needed study break and jam out with some local artists.
When to work here? Being the farthest off grounds, this is the place to go when you have a lot to do and can’t afford to be distracted by running into friends and classmates. Also a nice place to go if you need a meal while working!
3. Para Coffee
Located on Elliewood on the Corner, Para Coffee is the ultimate hipster paradise. Featuring a wide range of coffee and tea drinks, you can find tables inside, upstairs, or even outside to complete your work and study in a more cozy, homey environment.
When to go? Free afternoons or even early morning cram sessions before class. Also, when feeling super hipster and edgy.
4. Starbucks Quiet Room
Again conveniently located on the corner, this location is a great study spot for those who don’t want to be in the library, but appreciate a quiet environment, and love Starbucks. The upstairs noise level varies, but the quiet room upstairs is always completely silent and provides the perfect paper-writing atmosphere. Added bonus? For gold card members of Starbucks your free coffee/tea refills are now more convenient than ever.
When to go? When in need of Starbucks coffee, but also great for evening work since Starbucks is open till 11pm. Also a great place to hold meetings!
5. Hotcakes
Located close by in Barracks Shopping Center, this cozy spot offers great big windows and an extremely aesthetically pleasing environment to study. Even better is the plethora of dining options you have when studying here. Gourmet sandwiches and soups are their specialty, but you can also sample their amazing desserts, and try their coffee and tea.
When to go? During the week when you need a lot of sunshine to get your brain in academic mode, and when you need some gourmet nourishment to keep your brain in high gear.
No matter what your study style is, these places are guaranteed to give you a nice break from the library! Study on!