Back to school means back to classes, and whether you’re a freshman used to studying alone in your room on school nights, or a returning Terrier who’s finding it hard to get back into the swing of things with so many exciting distractions around, it can be tough to know where to get started on those of hours of homework.
For those times when your roommate’s chatting on the phone with her boyfriend at full volume or when you can’t ignore the sound of the new Taylor Swift single blasting from the common room, here are a few locations to escape to in order to actually get some work done.
Library Study Session
Of course a library is the go-to place that comes to mind when people are looking for somewhere to do their assignments, and BU offers many options with over 12 different campus libraries to choose from. One lesser-known recommendation is the Stone Science Library, located on the top floor of CAS, which is cozier, and typically less busy than areas like Mugar.
Soak Up the Sun
While libraries are great for serious study, some people may find them too quiet or restricting. One of the best ways to reenergize when you feel like your head is going to burst at the seams from trying to memorize Calc equations, is to take the work outside. Studies have shown that sun exposure causes an instant endorphins rush, so it’s absolutely essential for feeling better on those ultra stressful days when you have what seems like a million pages of reading to finish.
Luckily despite being located in a thoroughly urban environment, BU still boasts a decent amount of grassy campus that’s perfect for sprawling out to take notes or for flipping throug a heavy, leather-bound novel. The affectionately named “BU Beach” behind Marsh Chapel offers a lovely stretch of land along the Charles River, and both the COM lawn and courtyard outside SMG also provide nice amounts of the great outdoors.
A Room With A View
Of course as the weather begins to get colder, outside spots may not seem like the most practical option. However being inside doesn’t have to mean sacrificing a great view. Check out these places when you want to see something beautiful during those brief moments when you manage to lift your nose out of the books.
Two of BU’s most well known sightseeing areas are the study lounges located on the top floors of Stuvi2 and Kilachand Hall. Located at 33 Agganis Way Stuvi2 is known for it’s breathtaking 26th floor view of the Boston skyline. If you don’t find this too distracting of a sight, then this is a perfect place to be productive while still enjoying the benefits of city living.
The top floor of Kilachand Hall is also a study lounge that possesses an excellent Boston view through glass-paneled walls as well as a strange bit of history. The hall used to be the location of the popular Sheraton Hotel where famous playwright Eugene O’ Neill died in 1953.
To this day there’s a legend that O’ Neill’s ghost still haunts the halls, so if you aren’t too spooked by spirits check it out and maybe some of that writing genius will rub off and inspire genius of your own.
Get Off-Campus
If you’ve tried all of these options and still find yourself utterly unable to focus, sometimes one of the best things to do is to take a break from the campus atmosphere and go somewhere to take advantage of some delicious food and some free WiFi.
Boston is full of endless restaurants and cute cafés to check out, so why not take advantage of going to school in the biggest college city in the world and grab some coffee and pastries while you flip through the pages?
One fun suggestion is the Paris Creipere located in nearby Brookline, which is open from 8am to 11pm and offers many tasty options such as specialty crepes, smoothies, and even homemade Nutella hot chocolate! If you’re feeling especially unmotivated one day, try rewarding yourself with a special treat for finishing that last paragraph of your essay or for getting through those last three chapters.
BU is truly a place where you don’t have to feel confined or limited when it comes to academics, so mix up your normal routine and check out some new places in order to get those creative ideas flowing!