Ryan Reisert

Ryan Reisert

Midterm season is officially upon us. Everyone has a different study style, but sometimes getting into the groove is difficult, especially if the weather is as nice as it was over Thanksgiving weekend. To help get you started (or if it’s the night before your midterm or 10 -page paper), here’s an evaluation of the study spaces at your disposal.

The coffee shop:

Arguably better for writing papers than for studying, your local coffee shop’s value is in its endless supply of caffeinated beverages. Starbucks and Second Cup are expensive, so spend your money wisely if you’re studying here. Some people study better with the background noise of jazz music and chit-chat, but for those of you who need absolute silence, this isn’t the place for you. Also, be warned—studying with friends here is not the most productive, so make sure you have a second study session planned.

McLennan Library:

If individual study carrels are your thing, this is the place for you. With six floors to choose from, use the stairs instead of the tempting elevator to get that much needed mini-burst of exercise during the study season. The fifth floor is more modern than the fourth, but the desks are slightly more communal, so if you’re easily distracted by someone’s Facebook procrastination, stick to the fourth or sixth floor, which have carrels. With 24-hour access, you can pull grueling all-nighters or escape from noisy roommates. Be warned, though; some carrels are reserved for grad students, who may not be too excited about chatty undergrads.

Cyberthèque:

On the bottom floor of Redpath, the Cyberthèque is located next to a Tim Horton’s, great for a cheap caffeine fix. With a variety of computers, desks with plugs, and colourful cushioned blocks, you should be able to find what you’re looking for. That said, bring a sweater as it can get chilly, and be prepared for a sore tushy if you sit on the floor for too long. If you have the sniffles, avoid those annoyed sighs and evil glares by other studiers and take Tylenol Cold before you go (it works wonders), since the Cyberthèque echos more than a canyon. Excuse yourself to go blow your nose.

Other libraries to try:

The Life Sciences Library and the Osler Library in the Medical McIntyre Building are worth the hike up the hill, and their inconvenient location keeps them empty and quiet. The Education Library is rather unconventional when it comes to normal library etiquette. All the faux-pas are permitted: talking, eating, and even playing with puppets.

Your bed:

This study location is very risky. For those self-disciplined enough, or who live too far from campus, it is an excellent place to stay warm and cozy while reading over notes. With all your food and drinks at home you don’t need to pay to sustain your energy. What’s more, you can sniffle all you want and listen to whatever music you like. But to make this as efficient as possible, you should disconnect from the Internet and shut off your smartphone unless absolutely necessary to avoid many forms of procrastination. And whatever you do, don’t take a cat-nap. You will sleep for ten hours, not ten minutes.