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As the semester has started ramping up, I have gained a new appreciation for the study spaces around campus. Last year, my default locations for doing work were my room and my floor’s common room: I took most of my virtual classes from my building, so it made sense to knock out my homework in the same area. This year, with many classes switching to in person and dining halls opening up again, I thought it would be fitting to test out the different working areas. 

Science and Engineering Complex (SEC)

Vibe: Stark Industries project center

Advantages: The balconies, modern rooms, big windows, clear whiteboards, and projectors make you feel like Tony Stark while doing any type of STEM homework

Disadvantages: Every engineer on campus wants to feel like Tony Stark

Availability: The SEC is pretty ferociously crowded, the best chances to get a table or reserve a study room are to go in early (pre 10 AM) or late (post 8 PM).

Productivity: High. When I first arrive I get distracted because there’s a lot of windows but once I lock into focus, work flies by

Warning: The atrium splits the third floor in half, and the front half cannot access the back half. If you mess up while navigating, you will have to deal with a lot of stairs. 

Tisch Library

Vibe: Infinite Shelf Labyrinth

Advantages: Tisch is a great and quiet place to go ham on some homework. You have tons of options across multiple floors of study rooms, conference rooms, computer labs, and open tables

Disadvantages: Study room reservations are competitive, so it’s not the ideal place for collaborative group work

Availability: Tisch is massive, so even though a lot of people work here, there is always space. You may not be able to rent a study room, but you can almost always count on getting a table.

Productivity: Extremely high. The last time I was here I cranked out like 500 lines of code in one sitting

Warning: The sliding bookshelves are no joke- trying to Indiana Jones out of them is not advised. 

Eaton Lab

Vibe: Arctic Internet Cafe 

Advantages: Eaton is usually open very late and is a nice and peaceful place to work uphill

Disadvantages: Its freezing. Absolutely frigid. 

Availability: There are usually plenty of seats available, both individual places for solo work and nice tables and comfy chairs for group projects.

Productivity: Surprisingly high. It’s very quiet and the temperature activates some sort of primal response that kicks your mind into high gear. 

Warning: Bring a jacket.

Campus Center

Vibe: Thriving Metropolis 

Advantages: Commons, Hotung, and the Sink are all cafes inside the building, so food is extremely easy to get while you’re working. 

Disadvantages: Between the eating areas and the recreation rooms, it can be hard to stay focused Availability: The tables and study rooms are often crowded so it’s often difficult to get a good seat, but you can almost always find some sort of spot, depending on your cramp tolerance

Productivity: If you can get a study room then you will go absolutely hog wild. Working in the public areas is more difficult because there is usually a lot going on.

Warning: Remember to renew your room reservations, getting kicked out of a room because you forgot and your time ran out is devastating. 

Barnum

Vibe: Fourth Dimensional Conference Center

Advantages: Plenty of high quality rooms, very peaceful environment

Disadvantages: This building does not obey the laws of physics

Availability: Very high, not many people use the classrooms and study rooms so you will have plenty of options. Great for both solo and group work.

Productivity: High, very serene, nice views out the windows, fun rolly chairs. 

Warning: I once entered Barnum, went up two flights of stairs, went down one flight, and then left from the same door I entered through. My friend has described this building as having “Three floors per floor”. If you get lost you may not leave so be careful.