The University of Guelph offers a beautiful campus with a large variety of study-friendly spaces for its students. Here is a list of a few great study spaces on campus.
The Library
I know this is kind of a given, but the best part about the McLaughlin Library is that you can eat in the library. Mind you, sometimes it gets a little annoying when the person next to you is crumpling a chip bag, but it’s really great to be able to bring a packed lunch and eat it while you study, no matter where you are in the library. This is not the case for most libraries as a strict “No Food” policy is common in those spaces. To me, this leniency just shows how much U of G trusts their students. The library has many quiet floors, so if you need a silent space to study, one of those floors is your best bet.
The Bullring
The Bullring is one of the most popular places for students to study on-campus. Supplied with an abundance of outlets for your laptops, there are a variety of comfy couches and tables to choose from, and you’re bound to make a few new study partners while you’re in there. It is not a place of silence, so if you’re comfortable with a steady buzz of people coming and going, or if you think you’re going to lose all social capacity after one more day on a silent floor in the library, The Bullring is the perfect spot for you. It is also a restaurant, so you can have a cup of coffee or a sandwich while you’re at—even a beer for those of you who are of legal drinking age.
Brass Taps
Similar to The Bullring’s vibes, minus the couches and comfy chairs, Brass Taps offers an abundance of study space. Students are welcome to seat themselves, and most tables have an available outlet for chargers. Like The Bullring, Brass Taps is not a place to go for silence, so expect a steady buzz of talking, as well as some music playing over the radio. Brass Taps is a common place for students to find sanctuary, and you can usually see people studying at all hours of the day, even during Trivia Night.
The University Centre
With tons of tables all over the UC, there are constantly students coming and going for study sessions. The UC is more of a study-between-classes sort of location, so many students are in and out. The only downfall to the UC is that it is not equipped with an abundance of outlets for laptops, so save your study sessions for when you don’t need a laptop, or when yours is fully charged.
Nooks and crannies
Aside from the designated restaurant and pub spaces, campus has a lot of study spaces hidden in all sorts of corners. If you want to enjoy the nice weather, there are many places to sit outside the UC—even if you need outlets! If you’re ready for complete silence and the outdoors, go to the Arboretum. There won’t be outlets, but there are tons of picnic tables and places to sit. Finally, check out lecture halls. For example, the Engineering building just put in a bunch of study spaces that are quite popular, and MacKinnon usually offers silence and a few comfy couches. As you continue through your stay at university, you will inevitably become more accustomed to the various on-campus spaces available. While each person will find the type of study space that works best for their individual needs, it is important to explore and adapt to different spaces as your study habits change and grow.