Soak Up the Sun with Outdoor Study Spaces
Finals are upon us, and it’s time to crack open those readings you’ve put off all term and rework those problem sets. Naturally, week 10 is when the sun finally decides to make an appearance for extended periods of time, and on beautiful days it’s nearly impossible to stay indoors for hours on end. Luckily, there are spots outside that provide ample amounts of both study space and sunshine. Perhaps they’re not as conducive to work as the Tower Room, but at least they’re infinitely less gloomy. Happy studying!
The Green
The most classic outdoor study spot is right in the middle of campus. The current fences blocking off half the rectangle pose some problems, but there’s still plenty of space here to grab FoCo to-go or some Collis pasta and settle down for simultaneous studying and eating. Plus, just think of the facetime.
The BEMA
Despite its reputation for scandalous nighttime activities, this tucked-away space is quite nice during the day for getting some work done. The lack of Wi-Fi also encourages reading as opposed to trolling the Internet. I recently had a friend tell me he thought the BEMA was a building when I asked him to come study with me. I’m here to inform you all that no, the Big Empty Meeting Area is not a building.
Wheeler Lawn
Weird wooden beams posing as art aside, the grass between Wheeler and Rollins Chapel is perfect for spreading out a blanket and getting some solid study time in. It’s also just enough off the beaten path to cut down on distractions — namely, friends walking by.
Baker Beach
Otherwise known as Baker Lawn, the grassy area in front of Baker apparently has another summery name I was informed of recently and is prime for both studying and facetime — or it will be when they take down all those fences protecting the fertilizer. See “The Green.”
Down by the River
Not the dorm cluster, but close. If you’re feeling ambitious but don’t actually count on getting any work done, grab your books and a towel to stretch out on one of the docks or on the grassy bank on the other side of the Connecticut. Productivity may be low, but basking in sunshine and nature’s glory is surely worth it.
Kemeny Courtyard
With easy access to Novack snacks (or KAF, if you’re willing to go that far), this area provides a nice change of scenery and a variety of seat possibilities: the grass, a stone ledge, the giant swing, etc.
The Hop/Fayerweather Patios
I’ve always been a big fan of brick, and these spots provide plenty of sunshine. The Hop patio (accessible from the Top of the Hop) has the added advantage of tables and chairs, but curling up on a bench outside North or South Fay is also a solid study option.