My Favorite Study Spots at Barnard

I’m the type of person who needs to study outside of their dorm room. Fortunately for me, Barnard has an array of dedicated spaces across campus as well as some hidden-gem nooks and crannies to study in. Here’s a list of my favorite spaces that I have discovered during my time at Barnard.

1. Liz’s Place

Liz’s place on a Sunday morning is the best place to study, bar none. It isn’t as stifling as being in a quiet library, and I feel like Liz’s provides me the right atmosphere to attack whatever assignments are up next on the docket. With a cup of coffee in my hand and the morning light streaming in from the floor-to-ceiling windows, Liz’s Place can turn even the most arduous assignment into an enjoyable experience.

2. 3rd floor of Barnard Hall

This one’s a wacky one. If you ever have classes in Barnard Hall and need a nearby spot to do a quick assignment, there’s a bench right outside the dance studios on the third floor of Barnard Hall. The bench can seat about three people, so it’s the perfect place to set your bag and books down. While this bench is near dance studios which will have music playing, if you go outside class hours, the area is usually very quiet and deserted. If you ever want a place to sit and be alone in the quiet, this is also a great place for that. 

3. Milstein 2nd floor computer classroom

While there are many great places to study in Milstein, my favorite is the computer classroom on the second floor. Because it is technically a classroom, a schedule is posted outside the door indicating when students can use the room for general study. My favorite parts of this room are the chairs -- plush, great support, and most importantly, adjustable. As a person on the shorter side, long study sessions in other libraries like Butler can become uncomfortable because the chairs and tables are not suitable for my body. Being able to work at a desk where I can make my eyes parallel to the computer screen instead of arching my back or hunching over is of the utmost importance. 

4. Brooks Study Lounge

It’s like Butler, but much closer to home. There are beautiful red armchairs, curtained windows, wooden furniture and some of those old-timey desk lamps. Richard Gilmore would totally be jealous of this study room. Besides its ambiance, what makes Brooks one of the best places to study is its convenient location for people living in the quad since it is quite literally right inside the Brooks entrance. Although Milstein isn’t too far away, Brooks is the perfect place to hunker down in pajamas for late night studying.