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Top study spots on campus

October 1, 2024

Updated By: Laeba Haider, October 2024

As we approach the start of the new year, studying has become more important than ever for preparing for those upcoming midterms, finals, and projects. With my schedule giving me optimal free time in between classes (ranging from 3-5 hours of free time between classes), finding the perfect place to study during this time can change my productivity and focus levels. 

If you’re in the same boat as me and are looking for a place to study, I have purposefully searched and discovered optimal study spots to get you up and ready to read through those textbooks and review your notes. Here are my top paces on the North Oshawa campus for you to explore!

Library Study Rooms

Honestly, you wouldn’t believe how many students are unaware of these absolute gems! For anybody looking for a place to study, the library study rooms are perfect if you’re like me, and the quiet can be a little too much. Located in a secluded area yet still having access to the library’s resources, these rooms are equipped with whiteboards, a table, and chairs, making it comfortable to work alone or with a group of people. And, as the cherry on top, these rooms are not restricted to the library’s volume level, so practicing presentations or speaking to friends is allowed without the need to whisper! To access these rooms, you can book one for yourself or your friends through the library’s website by choosing a room and adding an access password. For group rooms, a minimum of 2 people are needed to confirm the booking, and individual rooms need one person to book and confirm the room.  

 

Library Individual Study Areas

I love studying here during my midterms and finals aka when I need to LOCK IN. The area is completely quiet and you have a private little cubie! Seeing everyone study and work on this floor helps me stay focused. You guys should definitely give it a try when you need to finish a task! You will probably see me studying there too- I prefer the 4th-floor study area.

Individual Study Area, 3rd Floor Library

Library First Floor: Group Study Area 

This is a great place to work on group projects, quiz your friends, or just 'study' with your friends (yap while having your laptops open). This area is a big open study space where you can talk! There are comfy little booths and large tables. 

SIRC

That’s it, just SIRC. I’m kidding, but seriously, the SIRC building of the North Oshawa Campus is underrated. Not only is it slightly secluded from the other areas of campus, making it slightly less common to see students there, but they also have comfortable seating on the bottom floor lobby and additional seating on the upper levels. The SIRC building is generally quiet as well, so if I can’t find a spot in the library (as it is usually busy after the morning hours), SIRC’s seating areas are a great alternative to get the peace and quiet I sometimes crave while waiting for my next class.

Study area on SIRC 2nd floor

Study area in SIRC (2nd floor)

Lunch tables around campus

In the summer these lunch tables are the perfect areas for studying in groups. Not only are they situated everywhere around campus (and even between Durham College and OTU), but there’s a likelihood that they are empty and free to use! Additionally, since these tables are outdoors, nibbling on snacks from the UB Cafeteria while a calm breeze cools you down is a great combo for hyper-focused studying. However, I would be careful of what I bring to snack on since the bees tend to get hungry too!

Lunch tables outside UB

UA Fishbowls

In all seriousness, are these actually called fishbowls? Anyway, this study spot is located in the UA building, with two separate areas next to the entrance doors where students can study while using the provided computers (if you’re in UA, this is the area surrounded by large windows, so it’s easy to peep inside and notice if there are any free spots). This area is generally similar to the library, with the slight difference only being that there’s more background noise, which is perfect if noise is a must for optimal focus.

Engineering Building Tables 

Is it just me or does everyone seem to forget about the engineering building? Well, not this time. There is actually a comfy little area on the first floor where you can study individually or with your friends! 

UB Second Floor Tables

This area used to be my favourite place to study in my first year! It's super close to lecture hall UB 2080 and a perfect place to review things before and after class. Not to mention the huge windows let in the best sunlight! 

UB Second Floor Balcony

Speaking of sunlight why not study outside with a beautiful view? Studying outside can improve your focus and give you the fresh air you need. Just make sure to bring your sunscreen, and get ready for a fresh breeze. 

ERC Second Floor: Comfy Couches!

This study area is such a hidden gem. The couches are SO COMFY! This is a private study space to revise concepts with your friends and maybe even lie down for a little nap. 👀

ERC First Floor

This area is perfect for group projects, with the large tables and tolerance for talking it's a great place for a last-minute study sesh! 

That's all the study spots I have for your folks! Check some of these out!

Happy studying! 🙂

By Shrena Khedun