A Jumbo Guide to Study Spots at Tufts – According to Your Personality Type!
We all have our own study habits and “ideal” study spots. Some like to study alone, some with their friends. Some prefer a constant buzzing of people around, some like a quiet area. It took me some time to figure out my ideal study space at Tufts, but you don’t have to go through that whole process to find yours! While exploring different places is highly encouraged, I prepared a guide for the most popular study spaces at Tufts – according to your Myers-Briggs personality type!
(If you don’t know your type, you can take the test here, it takes no more than 5 minutes! http://www.16personalities.com/free-personality-test)
Quick guide to what the letters represent
E: Extroverted I: Introverted
N: Intuition S: Sensing
T: Thinking F: Feeling
J: Judging P: Perceiving
INTJ: “The Scientist” or “Architect”
There comes the scientist! You are an analytical thinker who places high standards for your (and others’) performances. If you’re working in a group, you tend to be the one who comes up with the plan of action. Eaton Hall, the main computer lab, is where you can stay focused and do some late-night work on your brilliant projects.
INTP: “The Thinker” or “Logician”
You love solving puzzles, don’t you? Quiet on the outside, your mind is always buzzing with all kinds of creative ideas, thoughts and plans. You’re always striving to learn more. A cubicle in the Tisch Library, where you have access to unlimited books (thus knowledge!) is an ideal den to be alone with your thoughts and get those ideas running.
Jumbo tip: Whenever I’m working in a cubicle, I stick post-its with ideas, thoughts and things that pop into my mind all around it – they help me remember things and get organized later on!
ENTJ: “The Executive” or “Commander”
You are the natural leader! You can come up with solutions to any organizational problem and are very good at public speaking, helping you organize and manage a group of people to work efficiently. One of the group study rooms in the Tisch Library, with huge whiteboards for walls on which you can present your ideas to your group is where you would be most efficient!
Jumbo tip: As these rooms are very popular, you may want to reserve your spot online rather than just showing up, especially during the finals week!
ENTP: “The Visionary” or “Debater”
An intellectual extrovert with a quick mind – as the label suggests, you are the ultimate debater! You are good at public speaking and enjoy being around people. Convince some friends to join you for a study session on the President’s Lawn (hopefully it’s not covered with 30 inches of snow – no exaggeration), where you can chat, take study breaks to play Frisbee and maybe do a quick debate on a current event.
Jumbo fact: If it is covered with snow, forget about studying for a few hours and make sure you take time to join President Monaco go sledding down the Prez Lawn!
INFJ: “The Protector” or “Advocate”
You tend to be individualistic but sensitive. Under your quiet vessel, you have a very strong idealist that can both dream and get things done very efficiently. One of the reading rooms or quiet study areas in the Tisch Library, where you can blend in with other people quietly studying around you is your ideal study spot!
Jumbo tip: I’m not an INFJ, but I’ve found reading rooms to be the most efficient study spaces on campus.
INFP: “The Idealist” or “Mediator”
You are kind, thoughtful and poetic. You tend to have values and causes you strongly believe in and would defend until the end. Grab a blanket and your books and head to the infinitely beautiful Tisch Library rooftop where you can study with the breeze gently caressing your face and contemplate life watching beautiful sunsets overlooking a tranquil Boston skyline. (I’m trying hard to be poetic here.)
Jumbo tip: There are outlets up on the Tisch rooftop!
ENFJ: “ The Giver” or “Protagonist”
You are the social butterfly with people always around – you really don’t like being alone! Exceptionally good at group discussions (especially if you’re the leader!), you like resolving disputes between people. A big table at the busy, nearly-as-popular-as-you-are dining hall Dewick MacPhie, where you can study with your group of friends and have unlimited access to great food (just think about it) and coffee, is where you would work most efficiently.
Jumbo fact/tip: During finals time, some people swipe into Dewick in the morning and stay there until it closes at night, allowing them to have unlimited food (waffles, chicken parmesan, grilled steak and General Tso’s Chicken to name a few) and a great study space at the cost of only one meal swipe. Just some people I know. Not me.
ENFP: “The Inspirer” or “Campaigner”
You are the one who always has a story to tell, aren’t you? You have a wide range of interests and are infinitely enthusiastic about all of them. Exploring new concepts, ideas and talking to people about them is your greatest hobby. As a (very) talkative person, you tend to be a great communicator. The Tower Café, where you can chat and be exposed to the lively exchange of ideas with unlimited access to magazines, books and great snacks in the Tisch Library is where you should spend those long hours studying!
Jumbo fact: If you go to the Tower Café with a professor, the drinks are on the house!
ISTJ: “The Duty Fulfiller” or “Logistician”
You are a quiet, organized and goal-focused hard worker. While your friends are occasionally checking YikYak on their phones, you’ve already crossed numerous things off your to-do-list and have moved on to the next task. The Ginn Library in the Fletcher School of Business, where there are many beautiful and (extremely) quiet study spaces is perfect for your long, perfectly-efficient study sessions.
Jumbo Fact: “A few days ago I overheard at the Ginn Library…” said no one ever. Well, maybe someone did if they heard someone’s heartbeats or calculator clicks.
ISFJ: “The Nurturer” or “Defender”
You’re introverted and quiet, but are always highly aware of others’ feelings. Being the ideal friend, you are always ready to help anyone in need. As you like to be in familiar places, your dorm room is the ideal place for a cozy, secure study session. This way, you can also make sure you’re always there whenever your beloved roomie needs someone to talk to!
ESTJ: “The Guardian” or “Executive”
You’re practical and hard working with strong organization skills. Your “executive” label is no surprise – you like being in charge of activities and projects. You’re probably constantly running from one student group meeting to the other, all in which you are in an administrative position. The upper level of the Mayer Campus Center, where there are tables and rooms usually reserved by student organizations and study groups, is where you can do your readings and finish homework without worrying about being late to your next meeting.
Jumbo fact: The Campus Center is built so that all the noise from downstairs is transferred up to the roof without reaching the study area upstairs.
ESFJ: “The Caregiver” or “Consul”
You are popular and sensitive, tuned into others’ feelings as well as yours. You like serving and taking care of other people. Traditions and familiarity are crucial to your mental well-being. Carmichael Dining Hall, the less crowded, go-to dining hall of uphill devotees is where you can study with your close group of friends and feel secure in your comfort zone (of course, with lots of comfort food.)
Jumbo fact: Carmichael, while being less preferred, hosts great special events such as Fondue nights, pajama parties (which means you get to have breakfast – unlimited chocolate chip pancakes anyone? - for dinner) and around-the-world themed dinners.
ISTP: “The Mechanic” or “Virtuoso”
You like to learn how things work and have great mechanical skills. You’re also great at solving problems in practical ways and like to experiment. Whether you’re an engineer or not, the Engineering Project Development Center (EPDC) in Anderson Hall is your place to be! You can never go wrong with this huge lab that stays open until late at night and has computers equipped with all kinds of design and product development software, waiting for you to turn your great ideas into real-life projects!
Jumbo fact: The EPDC has the “VisWall,” which is a very cool, high technology 3D visualization display.
Source: https://wikis.uit.tufts.edu/confluence/download/attachments/2884862/IMG_0197.JPG?api=v2
ISFP: “The Artist” or “Adventurer”
Whether you like art, music or mountains – you are the artsy type! Being introverted, you like calm and quiet places, but also enjoy having people around you. You have the eye of an artist - you are always tuned in to the things happening around you. A café nearby (Tamper, Danish Pastry House, Brown and Brew in Medford or Starbucks, Diesel Café, Mr. Crêpe in Davis Square are just a few of your many options with free Wi-Fi!) with a calm coffee house music playing in the background will help you focus and get those creative juices flowing!
Jumbo fact & tip: Danish Pastry House, founded by a Tufts graduate and my favorite among these locations, has heavenly almond croissants and red velvet cupcakes.
ESTP: “The Doer” or “Entrepreneur”
You are a great communicator, and know how to get things done. As your label suggests, you are the ultimate entrepreneur – a fast, forward thinker not afraid of taking risks. The collaborative workstations at the Tisch Library is where you can lead your group projects and reach your full creative potential while getting everyone around you to work efficiently.
ESFP: “The Performer” or “Entertainer”
Lights, camera, action! As your label suggests, you are the ultimate performer and like to be the center of attention. Having YOLO as your life motto, you like to be in the moment. The Hotung Café at the Mayer Campus Center is where you can have all your fans around you while you study so you can crack up a few good jokes and make everyone laugh. Plus, there are many performances (dance, music, drama, etc.) that take place at the Hotung Café – if you’re not already performing (though you probably are) you can always catch a generous number of events here!
Jumbo fact: The Hotung Café itself has great food, but there is also the Commons, the Rez (student-run coffee shop) and the Pax Et Lox Kosher deli (amazing sandwiches!) right next to it, so you’ll never go hungry working here!
Even if you really like your study spot a lot, make sure you explore different areas on campus – there are so many great places here!
Sources: