It's Almost Finals Week! Help! Where do I Go?

As finals roll around, and TNC turns into TNAN (Thursday Night All Nighter), finding the ideal study spot becomes more important than ever. With Poppa filling up faster than ****, and the idea of spending another minute in the stacks will make  you go crazy, changing up your study environment is key. Here’s a guide to finding that perfect place to figure out how to turn 5 pages of material into a 30 page paper:

The Honnold-Mudd Library: The library is great, because there really shouldn’t be any reason you walk all the way down there for any reason but to study. The library gives you everything you need: great research materials, a variety of noise levels depending on floor, and most importantly, food and caffeine abounds right there in the cafe.  Beware of trying to stay there too late, though: at 12:45 am the "get out" siren blares louder than a tornado drill, and if it catches you unaware it'll leave you deaf for the rest of the night (but maybe give you enough adrenaline to get through finals week).  Set your own alarm for 12:43 and get out of there before it gets you.

Hours:  Starting today it is open 24 hours until the end of finals week. Normal hours are Mon-Thurs, 8am-1am; Fri, 8am-10pm; Sat, 9am-10pm; Sun, 11am-1am.

The Motley: If you’re looking for coffee and can’t haul your butt all the way down to Honnold, the Motley is always a great choice. The noise level is moderate, but there are enough people that it all almost sounds like white noise. But beware: the seating is limited, and there are paper mache boobs on the wall.  The drinks and food are well worth it, though, and on these cold nights the Motley is always toasty and cheerful.

Hours: Mon-Thu, 8am-12am; Fri 8am-5pm; Sat, 11am-5pm; Sun, 11am-5pm, 8pm-12am

The Living Room: The most novel place to study on campus. The Living Room has cool new furniture that’s surprisingly comfortable – however, the tables are low, so all you can really do there is read.  Plus, be ready for the "new car" smell that permeates the whole room, a bi-product of those fancy new leather couches.  Always look to see who is studying in there. And a final reminder: When you’re in there at night, even if you can’t see everyone outside, creepily enough – they can see you.

Hours: Mon-Thurs, 8am-12am; Fri, 8am-10pm; Sat, 12pm-10pm; Sun, 12pm-12am

The Reading Room: Probably the most popular place on campus to study this year, the reading room offers two floors of absolute quiet. It’s like taking the 4th floor of the library and putting it in Bauer. While there’s no food available, the short walk can’t be beat.  However, if you need to study in groups or like that "white noise" aspect of a study room, this may not be the one for you.  For those who need utter silence: you have found your haven.

Hours: Mon-Sun, 10am-1am (extended during finals week)

The Coop: If you’re like me, and the presence of anyone you recognize is the perfect way for you to procrastinate, take a walk to the Coop. There’s great food and drinks, and you are less likely to know the people there, so you won’t have that overwhelming and urge to talk to everyone you see (although, I’m sure they’re great people too). If you want even more privacy, sneak over to the Pomona Living Room: it has great couches, bright lights, and even a fake fireplace for your wintertime ambiance.  One of the less-known study-spot gems on the 5-C's.

Hours: Mon-Thurs, 9am-12am; Fri, 9am-1:30 am; Sat, noon-1:30 am; Sun, noon-midnight

Off Campus: Drag yourself to Starbucks, The Last Drop Café or Coffee Bean in the village, or even further off campus to Panera or Fruizen, and you might find that removing yourself from the stressful atmosphere of finals makes you less stressed and more productive.  Enjoy the change of scenery and that fresh start might be just what you need to get a kick-start on your studying.

As you make your way to wherever it is you’re studying (everything feels like a trek during finals week – maybe it’s because your textbooks weigh more when you’re actually going to have to read them), just remember to mix it up. You’ll make it through, I promise. Just breathe, switch to decaf, and get some sleep.