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Stop Studying in Your Room: 5 Most Underrated Study Spots
Sydney Anderson
She/Her
Staff Writer
10/20/23
Believe it or not, there are many students here at Plymouth who dedicate much of their time to schoolwork and studying. Getting a degree is hard work, and takes a lot of time, focus and effort. That being said, many PSU students spend their academic time hunched over their stiff wooden dorm desks. If you’re anything like me, more than an hour of sitting in those chairs is a guaranteed backache. But, alas! Fear not, good students of Plymouth, for I am here to tell you of the 5 most underrated spots to study on campus.
1. The Mary Lyon Basement
If you’re familiar with the tale of “The Backrooms,” the halls of Mary Lyon’s basement aren’t far from it. However, hidden amongst the eerily blank and sterile halls is the gem that is room 034. This consists of a large room equipped with a table and chairs, comfortable sofas, and a kitchenette featuring a microwave, sink, keurig, and snacks. The official hours are posted on the door, but I’ve yet to walk past and see the door closed. Typically, the basement of Mary Lyon is either empty or so quiet that you’d think so. If you’re in need of some studying-related isolation, this might be the perfect place for you.
Photo by Sydney Anderson
2. Lamson Library’s Third Floor
As students at PSU, we all have access to our university’s library. Still, many students don’t take advantage of it, particularly the third floor. At Lamson Library, there are three stories: the first floor, featuring classrooms and a cafe (more on that later), the second floor, an open-study room that’s ideal for group work or classes, and the third floor. The elusive third floor is Lamson’s only silent area. There you’ll find the archives, spacious desks, and large, plush chairs. In my very humble — and very correct — opinion, there’s no better equation for working than a loveseat and a gorgeous view. Additionally, the third floor is home to the tower room. The tower room’s business-style furnishing is a great place to pretend that you’re making six figures a year and waiting for your secretary to bring you a coffee. Overall, the third floor is a peaceful place that’s great for focusing.
Photo by Luke Young
3. The HUB Tower Room
The Hartman Union Building, commonly referred to as the HUB, is the central building on campus where you’ll find the gym, esports, WPCR, the bookstore, the Daily Paws cafe, and the Union Grille. It’s generally a buzzing atmosphere where you can find many students picking up their mail, grabbing a bite to eat, or playing basketball. However, located on the upper floor of the HUB is a rounded room that overlooks the walkway below and the Pemi the Panther statue. In this room you’ll find comfortable chairs, a sofa, and a microwave which is typically vacant. There’s been rumors across campus that this room is exclusive – it most certainly is not, and if it is, there’s no official rule known by the employees of the HUB saying so.
Photo by Sydney Anderson
4. The Commons Cafe
As mentioned earlier, Lamson Library features a cafe on its first floor. The Commons Cafe is your typical coffee shop that sells Starbucks drinks and pastries. Alongside the much-needed caffeine, you’ll find tables, loveseats, and plush chairs in the cafe. If you’re someone who needs a bit of background noise or a tasty treat to be productive, this is the right space for you.
Photo by Katherine Rosa
5. Dorm Study Rooms
One lucky feature of the residence halls at PSU is the study rooms. If you’re an underclassman, you likely live in Grafton, Geneva Smith, Blair, Pemigewasset, Belknap, or Mary Lyon. In these halls, there are community spaces with tables, comfortable chairs and sofas, and vending machines. There are also lounges in the upperclassmen dorms. Some of these community rooms are specifically labeled as study areas, where students are to be quiet and dedicate the space to academics. These group rooms are typically empty, and are a spacious and comfortable alternative to studying at your desk, but are found within your building if you’re not feeling up for a walk.
Photo by Sydney Anderson
Since we have reached the six-week mark of the semester, classes are piling the work on and it isn’t getting any easier. If you’ve found yourself swamped with assignments as of late, try out a new study location for a change of pace.
I just read stop studying in your room by Sydney Anderson. I’m not a student any longer, but if I were I certainly would want to study in the third floor Lamson Library or the Commons Cafe. Thanks for the tour.