Midterm season is upon us. It’s time to finally catch up on all that reading you didn’t feel like doing a few weeks ago. You’ve got your books and endless pages of notes, and now all you need is a quiet place to settle down and study for the next 48 hours or until your brain explodes (whichever comes first).
If you’re like most other people at BU, you’ll probably end up in the dungeon that they call Mugar Library. But if you’re like me, you’ll avoid Mugar like the plague. It’s crowded, freezing one second and scorching hot the next, and the tiny cubicles make you feel like the walls are constantly caving in on you. Why endure days of suffering when you can study somewhere else and still ace your midterms? There are plenty of other on- and off-campus places where you can hide out for days with your books and somehow keep your sanity intact.
Study Lounges- If you don’t mind a little bit of background noise, study lounges are a great option. There might be a TV on so students can watch the news, but if you’re like me and need some noise to concentrate, this is the perfect place to bury yourself in your work. You can plop down on a big comfy couch or spread out at a big table. The best part is that you can find a study lounge practically anywhere on campus. Most dorm buildings have at least one. Some of them (like StuVi 2 and Shelton) are on the top floor and give a beautiful view of the Charles River and the Boston skyline. Many of the academic buildings have study lounges too. So if you’re in COM and have a short hour-long break between your classes, the COM study lounge is a great place to get some quick studying done. Whichever lounge you find, you’ll have a comfortable, laid back environment to get your work done.
Other On-Campus Libraries- Although Mugar is the biggest and most well known library on campus, BU has plenty of other libraries for students to use. There are twenty-three libraries span throughout the entire campus, so there is sure to be one close to you. Some of these libraries include the School of Theology Library, Science and Engineering Library, and Astronomy Library. Because most people flock to Mugar or don’t know that these libraries even exist at all, they are usually pretty empty. Another bonus is that most of the libraries are a lot prettier on the inside than Mugar, so when you take a break to daydream you’ll have something nicer to look at.
Boston Public Library- One of the best parts about living in Boston is being so close to the Boston Public Library. If you want to study somewhere that won’t be crowded with noisy and stressed BU students, this is your best bet. The huge building with multiple floors has endless rows of books on every subject imaginable to help you with your studies. There are desks, tables, and computers throughout the library available to anyone who needs them. The beautiful library is famous for its history and beautiful design and architecture. It’s the perfect change of scenery and a great, quiet atmosphere to get in the studying zone. To get to the Boston Public Library, just take the T or walk to Copley and you’ll be right outside the entrance.
A study tip for wherever you end up: Wherever you choose to study, remember to bring a few essential items that will get you through the torture: headphones to help block out any noise, a drink and snack to curb your mid-studying munchies, and a computer charger so you don’t have to run home when your laptop dies. Most importantly, bring patience and focus and remember you can do this, midterms will be over before you know it!