Guide to study spaces in the library's absence
By Sarah Clise
For many Santa Clara students, dreaded midterms have arrived. It is likely that the problem of finding study space has arisen -- especially while the library consists of a mound of dirt and a gaping hole outside of Benson, being slowly transformed into a haven of educational resources.
In the meantime, there is a shortage of space on this post-Orradre campus to support everyone's studying needs during midterm madness.
So where should we go? Dorm rooms are notoriously full of distractions: television, friends, music and Facebook.
However, there are still a number of places both on and off campus to satisfy the need to cram and stay caffeinated.
* On campus
All of the dorms have created lounges on every floor to accommodate the residents.
However, these are probably last resort study areas due to the frequent foot traffic and the temptation of the television sets.
An exception to the noisy dorms is the Graham basement, located underneath Graham 100. Open only to the Alpha Residential Learning Community, it is a quiet, isolated room that is perfect for late night study sessions.
There are similar facilities in the basement of Dunne, McLaughlin and the top floor of Swig.
The best on-campus places to go are Nobili Hall, which has recently opened a study area with a computer lab, and the official Interim Library, which is located in the trailers next to Buck Shaw Stadium.
The newest additions to on-campus study areas are already popular for their intellectual atmospheres and access to computers.
A little known computer lab has just opened on the second floor of Benson and rarely has more than a handful of students. This location is ideal, however, it currently lacks a printer.
If those are full, the next best bet is the great outdoors. If the weather is nice enough, there is more grassy lawn available on campus than there are students to cover it.
The strategically placed benches, like those outside of Kenna Hall, the de Saisset Museum and Bannan, are ideal for catching some sun while trying to memorize study guides.
While very crowded and noisy in between classes, Market Square's central location and ready internet access earn it some credibility.
Downstairs, across from Cellar Market, are a number of couches and tables, along with drop-in tutoring from 7 to 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Unless an event is taking place, it's a good deal quieter than the social atmosphere upstairs.
* Off campus
Ready access to caffeine seems like a must-have for a study spot, and there are definitely some great off-campus coffee joints around Santa Clara.
There are a couple of Starbucks near campus, which are usually the most quiet in the late afternoon. In both cases, you're able to have delicious food fueling your academic endeavors.
The one on El Camino Real by the Caltrain station is next to Quizno's Subs and Cramer's Bagels. The Starbucks on Washington Street, across from Normandy Park Apartments, is down the street from Jao's, a restaurant that serves amazing Brazilian cuisine.
Perhaps the study spot with the most character is the Mission City Coffee Roasting Co. Located at 2221 The Alameda, Mission City serves food along with its great coffee and has a large lounge area with tables, chairs and outlets to plug in laptops. Its atmosphere makes it an ideal place for studying and get away from distracting campus life.
However, if studying is your goal, make sure that you don't go on an open mic night or when a band is playing.
While the stress of midterms may be upon us, don't let the stress of finding an ideal location get you down. Identify important factors for a prime studying location and use this guide to counsel you.
Contact Sarah Clise at sclise@scu.edu.