Study Spots on Campus

We’re halfway through the semester, and that means that we are deep in midterm season and finals are fast approaching. Naturally, that means loads of studying. Like the noise levels of the floors of Swem, in this article, I will go over the best (in my opinion) study spots on campus from the most casual settings to the most focused spaces to do work.

Muscarelle Study Room

William & Mary’s art museum doesn’t only have stunning exhibits, but it also has a relaxed study space. Located on the first floor of the museum, there is a large study room (think ISC large) with long tables and a floor-to-ceiling window allowing for lots of natural light. Situated in the far reaches of New Campus, Muscarelle doesn’t get too much foot traffic as a study spot, so it is relatively quiet and less busy than other spots on campus. Bonus points for the cafe that is just outside the study room which is perfect for study break refreshments.

The Slice

The Slice is a classic study spot. Housed in Sadler, the ambience of The Slice depends mainly on the “vibe” of everyone else. In other words, if the Slice is silent you’ll probably want to be quieter too, but if people are chatting, then feel free to join in. The Slice often has soft music playing from the speakers, so if you’re a fan of a more relaxed study environment, the Slice is a good choice. Like Muscarelle, The Slice has quick access to food via the Sadler dining hall, making it perfect for long study sessions.

Swem Basement

The Swem basement is a hidden gem. Furnished with comfortable chairs and couches, the Swem basement has a comfortable atmosphere. I put it lower down the list in terms of casualness because it’s generally pretty quiet and I’ve mostly seen people study alone here more often than as a group. That doesn’t mean that you can’t chat here, though! Unlike the main floors of Swem, there is no volume expectation in the Swem basement. The Swem basement floor also houses the Reeder Media Center which has nine iMacs that are perfect if you want to use a larger monitor or use programs like InDesign.

Business School

The Business School is located in the far reaches of New Campus. Although I haven’t explored much of the Business School, I have studied in the Boehly Cafe. The times I have studied at the Business School, it hasn’t been too busy, making it a good spot to do work.

An Academic Building

If all the conventional study spaces aren’t conducive to doing work, I recommend doing work in an academic building—bonus points if it’s where you have a class. I find that if I’m where I usually have class, I can trick myself into the mindset of doing work.

Honorable mentions that aren’t on main campus

Wolf Law Library: Located in Colonial Williamsburg and five-minute walk from the Graduate Complex, the Wolf Law Library is a perfect space for studying. Furnished with comfortable booths and different seating arrangements, the Law Library is a good place to do work if you don’t mind walking a bit further.

Williamsburg Regional Library: The Williamsburg Regional Library is just down the street from The Bake Shop and has a lot of tables to do work at. I’ve found the Williamsburg Regional Library a good alternative to Swem since it is similar to the atmosphere of the first floor of Swem, but is quieter because it is a smaller space.