Review of study spots on campus

This article is my subjective opinion of different study locations on campus, and is not a comprehensive guide to all of the available locations. The locations will be reviewed based on overall ambience, WiFi speed, power outlet accessibility, proximity to refreshments and noise level. Each section score will be added for a total out of 50 per study location.

First up, the Consortium Library main room with the big windows. This spot has immaculate lighting and a great overall vibe. The large windows allow for plentiful natural lighting — which is a welcome reprieve from the standard fluorescent lights. The desks and chairs are comfortable for long study sessions. Be cautious of the glare on computer screens if facing away from the windows on sunny days as this can hamper study efforts. The overall ambience for this part of the library receives a 9/10.

This section of the library is a short walk from Kaladi Brothers Coffee. This spot receives a 10/10 for proximity to refreshments — just be aware of the cafe’s hours.

The WiFi download speed in the open area of the library is 23.97 Mbps and the upload speed is 15.65 Mbps. This is one of the best upload speeds of the spots tested for this article. Optimal WiFi speeds vary, but according to Business.com, a good download speed for a work setting is at least 25 Mbps and a good upload speed being at least 3 Mbps. Both of these speeds in this part of the library are satisfactory — though somewhat slow on download speed. This location receives a 7/10 for WiFi.

This location’s noise level is negligible as it is one of the quietest study spots despite being quite populated with studiers: 10/10.

The outlets in this part of the library are less than stellar. While they worked during this excursion, I have had trouble with them in the past. The outlets are housed in a dark, dusty hole that is insufficiently sized for a MacBook Pro charger. A standard iPhone charger is at its length limit if plugged in with the phone resting on the desk. These outlets are serviceable, but nothing special: 5/10.

Overall, the open section of the library downstairs with the windows receives a 41/50.

Next are the private study rooms in the Consortium Library. These are located on the second floor by the government documents section. The ambience in the private study rooms is reminiscent of prison cells. Despite having a whiteboard — sans dry erase markers — they are cramped and have a mildly unsettling vibe with different shades of yellow and beige in the interior. The furniture is not bad, though the desk was somewhat sticky and the window in the door behind the desk evoked a feeling of being watched: 5/10.

There are vending machines in the library and Kaladi’s is a short walk downstairs. For refreshments, this location receives a 5/10.

The WiFi download speed in the private study rooms was 12.85 Mbps and the upload speed was 14.13 Mbps. This is not great: 3/10.

This location was great in terms of noise level. The private study rooms are quiet and isolated from other studiers, facilitating intense focus: 10/10.

The outlets in the private study rooms are conveniently located above the desks and are functional: 10/10.

Overall, the private study rooms in the library receive 33/50.

The next study spot is the entry hallway in Beatrice McDonald Hall — specifically the booths. The ambience of this spot is great — the mix of natural and artificial light and calming interior decor are reminiscent of a Holiday Inn Express hotel lobby in the best way possible. However, the booth seats are quite low to the ground, making the setup uncomfortable for long study sessions. The vibe of the Beatrice Mcdonald Hall downstairs area receives a 6/10.

Down the hall from this spot are several vending machines as well as being a short walk from Cafe Delgga in Lucy Cuddy Hall, earning it an 8/10 for refreshments.

The WiFi download speed downstairs in McDonald Hall was 25.8 Mbps and the upload speed was 6.73 Mbps. These speeds are above the minimum requirement: 8/10.

The outlets under the desks are easily accessible and functional, making them worthy of a 10/10.

The noise level was low, though it varies based on traffic as it is located in a main hallway: 8/10.

Overall, the booths in the first floor entryway of Beatrice McDonald Hall receive a 40/50.

The next study spot is the area on the second floor of Rasmuson Hall by the doors into the Spine. The ambience of this spot is pretty good. The color palette is soft and the lighting is a combination of warm fluorescents and natural light from the many windows. The chairs — which are attached to the desks — are comfortable and in correct proportion to the height of the desk. There are plants in this area as well. The ambience of the spot receives a 10/10.

There is a room downstairs in Rasmuson Hall that houses many vending machines. For refreshments, this gets a 6/10.

The WiFi in this area had a download speed of 25.62 Mbps and an upload speed of 2.49 Mbps. The WiFi score of this spot is 7/10.

The outlets in this location are incredibly difficult to access. With the chairs attached to the desks it is near impossible to access the outlets without crawling under the desk: 4/10.

The noise level of this spot in Rasmuson varies, but it is not bad — with exception of being open to all of the other floors in the building and next to the high-traffic entry to the Spine. This gets a 7/10.

Overall, the area on the second floor of Rasmuson Hall by the Spine receives a 34/50.

Next is the part of the Spine connecting the Student Union to the Engineering and Computation Building. This area has a nice ambience with a view of Chester Creek out of the windows and many plants. The furniture is fine in this location as well. It should be noted that the floor shakes when people walk past — which happens a lot. All in all, this gets a 9/10 for its vibe.

Being attached to the Student Union, this location is great in terms of proximity to refreshments from Subway, the Seawolf Grounds and the Seawolf Marketplace — in addition to vending machines. This earns this study spot a 10/10 for refreshments.

The WiFi download speed in this part of the Spine was 24.9 Mbps and the upload speed was 8.41 Mbps: 7/10.

The outlets in this part of the Spine are few and far between, though the ones I tested were functional: 8/10.

The noise level for this area varies, though expect some distraction as this is a main thoroughfare for students and is a common place for groups to congregate: 7/10.

Overall, the Spine from the Student Union to the Engineering and Computation Building receives a 41/50.

Finally, I investigated the second floor of the Fine Arts Building. This area has a good ambience with a mix of concrete walls, good furniture, and both soft fluorescent lights and natural light. This building also gets hotter than some other buildings on campus. This spot gets an 8/10 for its ambience.

This spot is located near several vending machines, and receives a 6/10 for refreshments.

The WiFi download speed was 9.34 Mbps and the upload speed was 7.15 Mbps. This spot receives a 1/10 for slow WiFi speeds.

I did not see many outlets in this area: 4/10.

The noise level was not great as it is open to the downstairs and the stairwell, in addition to music practice and performances that can occur within earshot. The vending machines garner groups of students making this spot a bit distracting: 4/10.

Overall, the second floor of the Fine Arts Building receives 23/50.

The best study spot in my opinion — out of the ones I investigated according to my criteria — is a tie between the Spine connecting the Student Union to the Engineering and Computation Building and the first floor area with the windows in the Consortium Library. The worst in this lineup was the Fine Arts Building.

When it comes to an area that fell flat across the board, WiFi is a detrimental factor of many study spots around campus.

These rankings reflect the criteria I personally value when looking for a place to engage in concentrated studying. The place you choose to study is heavily reliant on the buildings you frequent and your individual study habits.

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