Once the excitement of Freshman Week has died down and classes have begun, every first-year student comes to the same shocking realization: it's time to start studying. The College offers a wide variety of places to study, each with its own merits and drawbacks.
The most obvious place to study is, of course, the library. But because there are numerous libraries offering various studying facilities, the question becomes "which one?"
Baker Library, the principal library located at the north end of the Green, has four commonly used places to study: the Tower Room, the 1902 Room, the stacks and the Reserve Corridor.
Often when students say they are going to the library, it goes without saying that they mean the Tower Room. Equipped with big, comfortable chairs and a silence that some students find deafening, the Tower Room is one of the campus' most popular spots to study -- and to sleep. It is the rare student who stays completely awake while studying there, but many like it nevertheless.
The 1902 Room, referred to simply as the '02 Room, with its long tables and cozy atmosphere, is a favorite place for some. Catherine Bednar '95, who likes to study there when it is not too crowded, said, "It's very roomy, and it helps to be around other people studying."
The stacks, the main storage area for books, is equipped with many carrels for private studying and tables and desks throughout its nine levels. This area seems to be used quite a lot during finals week, when students actually want to get some studying done.
The rows of books reduce distractions, although the graffiti covering many of the desks shows that some students are still unable to concentrate. With nine floors, it's often possible to have an entire floor to oneself, and the stacks are open until midnight.
Of course, there is a down side to this too: some students are not too keen on the idea of sitting until midnight at a desk four floors up as the lights around them go out one by one.
It is even rumored that there is a ghost on the second floor. But overall, despite the fact that the stacks tend to get really hot, they are generally a good place to do some serious tooling (see page 20).
The Reserve Corridor, or Observe Corridor as it is often referred to, is usually not the best place to concentrate on books: hence, its nickname. However, some people are able to get work done there. Matt Siano '95 likes to study there because "it's not too quiet, is air conditioned and has late hours."
There are several smaller libraries around campus that, because of numerous factors including location, are preferred by many students over Baker.
Alex Nikas '95 often studies in Kresge, the physical sciences library, because "the stacks are well lit but secluded, and you can usually find a free carrel."
Mati Larson '95 prefers the Dana Biomedical Library because it is the only place close to her room in the Native American House that has air conditioning.
Another favorite is the Feldberg Library, which serves as the resource center for the Tuck School of Business Administration and the Thayer School of Engineering.
The studying area on the upper level of the Hopkins Center, called the Top of the Hop, is one of the most popular spots on campus for both studying and socializing. It is bright and sunny and has lots of comfortable chairs and couches scattered around, and it is close to many other spots on campus, making it a great place to do some last-minute studying or catch a quick nap between classes. The Collis Campus Center will also contain study lounges.
It is fairly quiet most of the time, with the exception of an occasional meeting or impromptu piano piece, and for the most part people seem to be able to work well there.
Empty classrooms are common study areas as well. Some students say they are good for late-night studying because, although the buildings are generally locked at midnight, the rooms can be used all night.
Many of the classroom buildings also have lounges that can be used for last-minute studying. Leah Cummings '95 likes the entryway in the Rockefeller Center because "it's not too loud and not too quiet."
Once spring rolls around, many a valiant soul tries -- and almost always fails -- to study outside. Ben Means '95 said he likes to study outside in a lawn chair, but most people are not this successful. When the sun comes out, an abundance of students can be seen sprawled outside, asleep, over stacks of open books.
The most common place to study is probably in dorm rooms. Laura Broughton '95 usually studies in her room because "it's familiar, it's close and it's not noisy."
Dave Robinson '96 said a major advantage to studying in his room is, "I don't have to pack up all my stuff and haul it across campus to study there."
Alison Moll '95 also studies in her room, but she said she tends to get distracted by her computer, her phone and people stopping by. So, she added, "If I really need to tool, then I go to the Tower Room or an open classroom somewhere."
