If there’s one word in the English language that I hate more than “moist”, it would have to be “finals.” If there’s a word that I hate more than “finals,” it’d be “studying.” So goes the life of a college student.
However, I’ve learned many things during my time within the higher education system, such as various ways to make studying slightly less… terrible.
For starters, avoid all social media. Secondly, if you’re going to listen to music, be sure to listen the right kind. And most importantly, environment is everything!
There’s a reason why you haven’t been able to get much studying done in your stuffy, cramped dorm room with the TV on and your hall-mates that won’t stop blasting “Turn Down For What.”
Bradley offers a variety of locations for frustrated students to find the right comfort and solitude needed to study successfully. For your consideration, here are a few suggestions of nearby locations that can serve as perfect study spots during finals week.
Leaves n’ Beans: I’ve always been a bit of a Starbucks loyalist, but I can honestly say that this cozy cafe has quickly become one of my favorite places to study and feed my caffeine addiction. Not only do they boast a great selection of food and drinks, but they also have a large amount of space to spread out and take a load off.
It’s also significantly quieter and less busy than your normal coffee shop, so uninterrupted study time is actually possible. If you’re looking for a place to pull an all-nighter on study day, LnB will be open until 1 a.m. on May 7. Check their Facebook page for details.
The Alumni Quad: If you’ve got nothing better to do in between classes on a nice day, why not step outside and get some studying done on the Alumni Quad? Unlike the Olin Quad, which is usually overrun with rampant games of frisbee, sunbathers and squirrels, the grassy area behind the Hayden-Clark Alumni Center is usually quiet and uninhabited. Not to mention, it’s absolutely beautiful when the weather is right. Expect a silent, yet wide-open landscape with a view. What more could students ask for?
Cullom-Davis Library: Let’s be honest, our library is not that bad. In fact, it’s quite helpful if you know how to utilize it correctly. The staff is always attentive and willing to help, and the resources provided for research are greatly effective. Also, the Center for Learning Assistance provides tutoring in case you need extra help for a course. If you need to burn the midnight oil at any time during finals week, Cullom-Davis remains open for 24 hours and offers free snacks for students. Yes, the library does leave much to be desired. But think of it this way: at least we have a library.
Happy studying, Braves!
