Best Places to Study on Campus
Sometimes, you just need to leave your dorm. After studying for hours in the same chair and desk, moving to a different location might be the motivation needed to finish those problem sets or start that essay. However, you might not know where to go. It can be a daunting task to explore an expansive campus such as UCI, especially for a new Anteater. I know it took me a while to figure out my favorite places to study. To make this process easier, I’ll share some of the places on campus where I find myself being the most productive.
For me, there are different moods when it comes to studying on campus. Some days call for background noise, such as peers discussing at a table beside you or music playing overhead. On the other hand, sometimes you just need to dial in without any distractions. For this reason, I’ve listed these study locations from noisiest to quietest.
The Food Courts
Although it may come as a surprise, the UCI Food Courts are some of my favorite places to study or work on tasks. The West or East Food Court are the perfect places to work during your lunch break or in-between classes. In fact, I am writing this blog post in the East Food Court! Depending on the time of day, the food courts may be filled with students having a bite to eat or empty with plenty of tables to choose from. As you might be able to tell, I am particularly fond of the East Food Court, which is located across the Student Center stage. The lighting is perfectly dimmed and does not use blinding fluorescent lights. It is a relaxing place to work with ambient chatter in the background. Additionally, if you need to heat up your lunch, there are two microwaves available. And if you need to get a snack or meal, Bento, Planteatery, and Jamba Juice are right at your disposal. One downside is that the only outlets available are near the walls. These seats are usually the first to be occupied.
Outlets: Limited
Noise Level: Loud/Moderate
Printers: No
WIFI Quality: Good
Starbucks/The Hill
Keeping with the theme of studying near the snacks, the Starbucks near The Hill is the perfect place to study if you want that café ambiance. Jazz music plays in the background as students type away or chat about their days. The smell of coffee can also be quite invigorating and motivating if you are low on energy. You can also get a special drink or treat as a reward for your hard work! One downside is that the sounds of the blenders or coffee grinders may get loud at times. There are also limited outlets available. However, if you’re low on battery or want to escape the noise for a bit, there is a room in the back that is also a lovely study space. It’s quiet and has plenty of outlets available. A printer is also available against the wall if you are in need of one.
Outlets: Yes
Noise Level: Loud/Moderate
Printers: Yes
WIFI Quality: Good
Student Center
Within the Student Center, there are a plethora of study spaces available. Some are more out in the open while others take a bit of time to discover. A hidden gem that I found last year is the Courtyard Study Lounge —a small oasis that has an open roof and greenery. Besides the Courtyard Study Lounge is another room with plenty of work space. Each table also has outlets available, making it the perfect place to work for longer periods of time. Throughout the Student Center, there are rooms available to reserve for group study sessions or if you just need some space for yourself. These rooms are perfect to book during midterms and finals, but they do fill up quickly. Study rooms at UCI are all equipped with a white board. The number of chairs may vary depending on the room. Be sure to reserve ahead of time if you plan to study here during those times. Additionally, there are scattered tables where you can also work at if none of these options are available.
Outlets: Yes
Noise Level: Quiet
Printers: Yes (in certain rooms)
WIFI Quality: Good
The Anteater Learning Pavilion
The Anteater Learning Pavilion (or the ALP) is another one of my favorite places to work on-campus. Large windows surrounding the space bring in so much natural light. The modern architecture is also refreshing to look at while you take a break from looking at your computer. Some notable aspects include printers located on each floor and outlets at most tables. Additionally, there are computers available for students to use and meeting rooms available by reservation. During certain times of the day, it can be difficult to find a table to sit at. Early mornings and late afternoons are usually the times where you are guaranteed to find a spot. The building has three different floors, so you have to just check and see if there are spots available. I always find myself being very productive in the ALP.
Outlets: Yes
Noise Level: Moderate
Printers: Yes
WIFI Quality: Okay
Gateway Study Center
Located right across from the Langson Library, the Gateway Study Center is another location with a wealth of resources available to UCI students. When you first walk into the Gateway Study Center there is a larger room with rows of desks with dividers to make for a more private work session. There are also certain tables with desktop computers available. Further in the building, there are rooms available for reservation. This system works similarly to the Student Center room reservation. There is, however, a different website you need to use for this process. These rooms are not my favorite places to study in because they can be a little crammed, but it's a good option if you need to work with a group.
Outlets: Yes
Noise Level: Quiet
Printers: Yes
WIFI Quality: Good
Science and Langson Libraries
Lastly, the libraries are always great resources and reliable spaces to work diligently in. The more well-known libraries on campus are the Science Library and Langson Library. Both libraries have private study rooms to rent as well. Some of the Science Library’s study rooms are even equipped with a digital display and desktop computer. If you are in the Campuswide Honors Collegium, there are private study rooms located in each library that are exclusive to students within the program. Since these spaces are, in fact, libraries, they are the quietest places you could work in—perfect if you don’t work well with background noise. Additionally, the librarians are always here to help you with any research questions or assist you with study resources.
Outlet: Yes
Noise Level: Quiet
Printers: Yes
WIFI Quality: Good
There are probably many more potential places to study on campus, but hopefully this list provides you with a good foundation to work off of. Once you familiarize yourself with the UCI campus, you’ll be able to decide what works best for you and find even more places. The spaces you work in often have a significant impact on the quality of your work. Choose what works best for you, take breaks, and study hard!
