Top 5 Places To Study at NYU
With finals underway, students have been scrambling to find their ideal study spot. Whether it’s at Bobst, local cafés, Kimmel or other NYU buildings, campus spaces are filling up with laptops, flashcards, notes and plenty of stress. Finding the right place to work isn’t easy. It takes the perfect combination of comfortable seating, outlets, low noise levels and open space.
While everyone’s taste in study spots differ, here are my top five places to study during a time when searching for a spot can feel more stressful than the studying itself:
5. Kimmel
Starting this list off is Kimmel, NYU’s student center. More specifically, the seventh floor is a great space and has a gorgeous view of Washington Square Park. It also has a lot of seating options and serves as a great alternative to Bobst, which is typically busy around this time of year. If you want an even quieter study spot in Kimmel, just one floor up is a quiet room with the same view. Even when full, the room is really quiet— perfect for writing the paper you forgot was due at midnight. Kimmel is also equipped with both a coffee shop and dining hall inside, which is incredibly convenient during the winter months when you don’t want to go out in the cold for a coffee.
4. Coffee Shops Around Campus
Like many others, I really enjoy studying in coffee shops around campus. My personal favorites are Spring Aspen Cafe and Pura Vida Miami. With free WiFi, delicious food and other students working nearby, these spaces allow me to be especially productive in completing my work. The people watching is entertaining for a little study break (especially when an interesting conversation is happening next to you), you’re surrounded by others studying and you can stay for as long as you want (unless the establishment is closing).
3. Paulson Chairs
Paulson, the newest NYU building, is not technically intended to be a study space, but the rows of chairs that face Mercer Street make for a great spot, in my opinion. They can be found on floors 2-5 and are really comfortable. The space is relatively quiet (except during the 15-minute period when classes end and begin) and you have a nice view for when you need a break, with plenty of outlets around so you can stay for a while. The only downside is that there are very few of these seats, so it can be difficult to find an empty one.
Pro tip: you have the best chance of snagging a chair when classes are in session.
2. Bobst Fourth Floor
If you need complete silence to work, the fourth floor of Bobst is where you’ll likely be the most productive. On this floor, many students work diligently, typically with headphones on, and focus solely on what they need to get done. This creates a highly conducive, productive and focused environment.
1. Bobst First Floor
This may be controversial, but I find myself being the most productive on the first floor of Bobst. Since this is not a quiet space, it’s not completely silent and personally, I feel less intimidated. Without the pressure and intensity of total silence, I can truly focus on my work without worrying about being too loud or disruptive if I take even a sip of my water. I especially love the large seats all the way in the back of the first floor, along the columns directly in front of the last row of tables. They’re comfortable, surrounded by outlets and charging ports, and feel like my own personal workspace.
No matter where you choose to study, the true key is finding a space where you can focus, feel comfortable and best prepare for finals. Wishing everyone the best of luck on their finals and happy holidays!