A look at the different spots to study on campus
The University of Guelph campus is filled with many unique and interesting places for a person to study. Whether you enjoy silence, proximity to food, or the sounds of students rushing to class, the campus hosts a place to study for everyone.
The most common and resourceful place for studying is the McLaughlin Library. With 7 huge floors stacked with shelves of books, it is no wonder that the library is the most coveted study space on campus. With a newly built Starbucks located on the main floor, the library offers all the resources a student could want in a study space. Everything from printers, comfy couches, computers and study carrels are available at the McLaughlin Library. While this may seem like the clear-cut choice when finding a place to study, during exams and midterms the library is notorious for being crowded. During the busiest times of the semester, it can get extremely difficult to find a place to settle down and study.
If you are looking for a more comfortable and cozy place to study, The Bullring is the perfect place to do so. The well-known student run pub is great place to get some work done on multiple couches and insanely comfortable chairs (beware if you are prone to napping). On top of its excellent atmosphere, The Bullring serves incredibly delicious and affordable food to fuel the studying mind. Hosting live music and open-mic nights every week, there is no doubt that The Bullring is one of the most lively spots on campus. That being said, the space is small and can get pretty distracting if you are not comfortable with a loud atmosphere for studying.
Another great space for studying if you have a group of friends would be in Rozanski Hall. During exams or when there are no classes in session, these enormous and comfortable lecture halls serve as a great place to get together with friends. With swivel seats, white boards, and laptop charger plugs, Rozanski is a vital place to set up for long periods of time. Similarly, the seminar rooms in the MacKinnon Building offer the same kind of study space that Rozanski offers with a few exceptions. The rooms in MacKinnon, located directly across from the library, are a lot smaller but also grant you the ability to speak and practice presentations in a classroom environment. In the Rozanski lecture halls, there may be other students studying quietly in the area so being vocal is not ideal.
Perhaps the most prominently located building on the list, the University Centre (UC) boasts a variety of spaces to buckle down and study. There are many tables available at the food court in the UC with huge windows for great natural light. With Starbucks and Subway just a few steps away, the UC can be great for keeping up with your studies on campus. The UC is full of the hustle and bustle of Guelph students and is often one of the busiest places on campus. If the food court is not your scene, William’s Cafe in the UC will definitely become a favourite. Typically filled with students taking naps on the many comfortable sofas, this cafe is also a cozy, comfortable and perfect for a less intense study session. There are many spots that attract students to the UC, and as you will learn from passing through the UC almost daily, it is one of the most convenient and proactive places to be on campus.
Located on the North end of campus, the Stewart Macdonald Hall is a spacious study spot in a rustic and beautiful building. Also home to PJ’s Restaurant in the Atrium (which was recently voted as one of Canada’s greenest restaurants in 2014 by LEAF), the Stewart Macdonald Hall offers a place for students living in Northern residence’s to come and study. If you are looking for a quaint and approachable study space, the lounge in Stewart Macdonald Hall is a great alternative to some of the central campus locations.
Unless you are distracted by the smell of delicious food, Creelman Hall is a great and efficient place to study. While Creelman Hall serves primarily as a marketplace, its recent renovations and ample seating has made it one of the favourite places to study on the North end of campus. Creelman Hall has a variety of restaurants to fulfill your culinary cravings. Perfect for early mornings or long nights of studying.
Another popular location for studying on campus is the Summerlee Science Complex. While it is home to the College of Biological Science and College of Physical & Engineering Science, the newly built complex is open to students of all majors. The beautiful and spacious atrium is the perfect place to set up camp during mid-terms and exams. Always open late and filled with students studying or relaxing, the Science Complex atrium has some of the most comfortable seating on the entire campus. If you are looking to post up for long periods of time, the atrium is one of the most quintessential study spaces available.
As your first year progresses, you will no doubt find multiple places to study which best suits your needs. There are many places I haven’t listed which would be ideal for all kinds of studying, half of the fun is uncovering the lesser known spots and exploring the wonderful campus with the aim of academic success.