The learning experience at the college level is different from the high school level in a number of ways - but one major way is that you don't spend all day from 8:00 to 3:00 in the classroom. Some classes at PC meet three times per week, others for longer sessions but only once or twice per week. This type of class schedule means that you'll be responsible for working on your own outside of the classroom - studying, completing assignments, writing papers, and the like.
So, I'm sure you want to find out about the places available for you to study - outside of your room in your residence hall (you certainly can and will study there, but when I was a student I found myself more productive without the distractions of my room - like IM, Facebook, the TV, roommates, etc...).
The closest place to go from your room is right inside of your residence hall - each residential building on campus has a study lounge, a place you can go in your pajamas and flip-flops to study by yourself or in a group... couches, tables - it's comfy!
There are many places outside of your residence hall where you'll be able to get some work done, with the library being the most obvious...
The Phillips Memorial Library has study space for over 800 students (yes, at the same time) and offers both individual and group study areas:
In addition, the Campus Ministry Center, located on the lower level of St. Dominic Chapel, provides a great study area - and our chaplain, Fr. Blau, is well-known for having all sorts of food, candy, and coffee available at all times!
When I was a student, I spent time studying in the library, in the Campus Ministry Center, and in my residence hall - but sometimes, these places were too quiet (I will admit to falling asleep at a table in the library on more than one occasion!). If I needed a little more active environment to stay awake, I would head to our student center, Slavin Center, which always provided a little more background noise to go with my studying (and easy access to food at Alumni Dining Hall!!):
And finally, what many college students will tell you is the best place to study (during the warmer days of the fall and spring, at least!): outside on the lawn! I don't know how much studying really gets done outside - there are always wiffle ball games to join and frisbees flying around - but it can be a nice escape to take your textbook and find a spot under a tree or at a picnic table:
Our Office of Academic Services has also compiled a list of places to study on campus - who knew that residence hall laundry rooms were popular study spaces??
Study Spots On Campus:
(list provided by the Office of Academic Services)
Are you easily distracted by food, music, your computer and everything else unrelated to school when you try to study in your room? Here are some alternative places to study:
Phillips Memorial Library - One of the most popular places to study on campus, and certainly one of the quietest. You have a number of options once you walk through the doors – a carrel, a large table on the lower level (a fairly loud area at night since many people work on group projects there). You can also choose (during the week, 9:00 am to 9:00 pm) to use one of the tables or carrels in the Office of Academic Services.
Alumni Cafeteria - This busy cafeteria, like the library, is another popular place to study, especially if you work best with background noise. Many people suggest headphones (if you are not distracted by music) to drown out the loudest of the distractions. If you need an outlet for a laptop, the booths along the walls are your best bet.
Quiet Dining - Located right inside the door of Alumni Cafeteria, this large room has comfortable chairs and tables, and, for being next to the cafeteria, is usually quiet. Just be aware…sometimes lunchtime meetings of small groups are held here.
McPhail’s - This is actually a very comfortable place to study, especially if you like the ability to spread out over a table. McPhail’s, however, does not open until 2:00 pm during the week, so it is best for nighttime studying. If you plan on being there later in the evening, be sure to check the schedule of events to make sure that your study time does not interfere with an event such as a BOP Coffeehouse.
Classrooms in any academic building - Before they get locked in the evening, most of the academic buildings have empty classrooms. Feinstein and Accinno are especially useful in this instance, since Feinstein is the home of many evening classes and Accinno is the home of the computer labs. Feinstein remains open until 10:00 pm or 10:30 pm due to the Audio Visual Lab and Accinno is open until 12:00 am, as long as the computer labs are open.
Aquinas Lounge - Again, your options are varied. Choose a couch for reading or a table to get written work done. Some of the tables have access to electrical outlets where laptops can be plugged in. During midterms and finals, it is important to get to the lounge early to assure yourself a spot. Also, a word to the wise: Aquinas is a residence hall only accessible by a swipe card to those who live in the building, make sure that you arrive early in the evening so you do not stand outside waiting for someone to open the door.
Your dorm’s laundry room - As crazy as it may sound, the laundry rooms are popular with many students, especially those who live in dorms with basement areas. Many people find that staying with their clothes while they are being washed and dried actually forces them to get some work done in a relatively quiet environment.
