The Best Spots to do Schoolwork at BU
Anonymous
We’ve hit that part of the semester again where courses start to get serious. First tests and assignments are popping up left and right, so I thought I would share some of the spots to do schoolwork at BU and rank them based on how helpful I think they are. When considering the ratings for these study spots, I looked at their comfort, noise level, space, nearby resources, atmosphere, and unique features.
The Music Lounge: overall, the music lounge is one of the nicest places at Brandon University for students. There is a kitchenette, comfortable couches, plug ins, and lots of space. However, with the dim lighting and couches, sometimes its easier to relax than study or complete assignments. And, be warned, you will be serenaded by the distant sounds of music students practicing and performing. 7/10.
Library: As the designated study spot for students, the library has the most space and the best nearby resources with the skills center, study rooms, and librarians. There are comfortable places to sit, good sources of natural lighting, and lots of silence… almost too much silence. Obviously, the library is one of the best spaces for completing schoolwork as it’s designed for this purpose. 9/10.
Music Library: I will admit, I have spent very little time in this study spot, but it does have a lot of plants, a considerable amount of space, and it’s not as mainstream as the main library. The few times I have been to the Music Library, though, it has been incredibly warm. 8/10.
Clark Hall Second Floor Hallway: Clark Hall does not have a lot of space for students to complete schoolwork, and the second-floor hallway that faces the courtyard is the largest area for students in the building. There is very little space, lots of noise from students moving from class to class, and the windows lack privacy and make the hallway hot when the sun shines in. There are a lot of plants, though, and this study spot is nice during the quieter times at university, such as the morning and evening. 6/10.
McKenzie Building Main Area: I don’t know if this space has another name, but I’m referring to the assortment of couches right outside of the library. This space has a good amount of natural light, comfort, and space. However, it is very busy, often loud, and the sun will blind you through the windows at certain times of the day. 6/10.
Brodie Building Benches: the benches lining the hallways in the Brodie Building have a great view and a lot of space, but they are extremely uncomfortable. If you bring a cushion to sit on, this spot to do schoolwork is okay. Even with a cushion, though, the noise and smell of the place are not great, as students will be passing by to go to or from classes and certain studies use chemicals that make the smell of the building less than desirable. 5/10.
McMaster Foyer: this spot is comfortable and has a considerable amount of space, but the noise from students passing through can be distracting. Plus, most of the couches are waiting spaces for the Ancillary Office, so they are often occupied. 4/10.
BUSU Student Lounge: the BUSU student lounge, located beside Baileys, has a fair amount of space and comfort, plus there are microwaves. The printers are also located in this room, so you can print any assignments right away. The printers and microwaves do make noise, but for the most part the space is quiet. The lounge is closed for special events from time to time. 8/10.
John Knowles Building Mingling Area: right outside of Baileys, the few couches set up in this space are a decent place for relaxing or meeting friends, but a horrible place for studying. With the noise of students passing through combined with the limited space, I would not recommend this spot as a first (or even tenth) choice for completing schoolwork. Plus, this space is often used for events and the couches are taken away. 2/10.
Random Couches and Seating Areas: throughout the university there are a variety of couches and seating areas. All of these areas are located in hallways and are subject to the noise of students passing by, but most are in smaller parts of the university that don’t see a lot of traffic. If you can find a nice seat in a corner of the university, these spaces can be great for completing schoolwork. However, their atmospheres vary from place to place and day to day. 5/10.
The Downstairs Cafeteria – located below Harvest Hall is a massive cafeteria-esq space with lots of tables and chairs for eating or studying. This space is usually quiet and empty, but sitting in the plastic chairs for long periods of time can be uncomfortable. It also has a strange atmosphere, and there has been a lot of renovation near the area recently. 6/10.
The above list is not a complete list of the areas to do schoolwork on campus, as I’m sure I’ve missed many of the smaller study spots throughout the university and I did not include the Education or Health Studies buildings. Also keep in mind that these ratings are my opinion and not everyone will agree. I encourage you to look at the descriptions over the number out of 10 to see if you think the study space will work for you. Despite the missing locations, I hope this list helps you find a good place to hunker down and study or complete assignments for the rest of the term!