BY MEGHAN BAEHL, OPINION EDITOR
On a campus like St. Bonaventure University’s, there are many lovely places to shamelessly hunker down for numerous hours and complete your to-do list. The most obvious place is the Friedsam Memorial Library, but not every spot is created equal.
If you asked me about my freshman year, my favorite place would have been the library’s main floor where the most action is. The main floor is noisy and chaotic, and I cannot remember the last time I was productive there.
But now that I’ve matured and no longer like socializing too much, I prefer the third floor, which is reserved for quiet study only. The third floor arguably has the best furniture, and it is not as creepy as the stacks, so it is optimal for studying, or at least pretending to study.
Not the library type? Café La Verna is the perfect place for you. It is a lot less intimidating than the library on size alone, and you can have a delicious little treat while studying (You deserve it!) The fireplace is lovely now that it is November, and La Verna even has a little nook with a couch and a couple of comfy chairs where you can take a break or a nap. I also have some insider information that it isn’t too crowded later at night, and they are open until 11 p.m. If you fear crowds, this might be the place for you.
Not feeling the main campus? My roommate swears by the San Damiano room, aka ‘Great Room,’ in Francis Hall. It is vast, with plenty of study space and normally not too crowded. It’s a hidden gem on campus because most students don’t venture that far east unless they live there or have a class in Francis.
This is a helpful study spot that more students who live on east campus should utilize because it is more geographically desirable than the library or Café La Verna. Plus, Freshens is just down the hallway, so you can get some brain food without being too far removed from studying.
Okay, so none of those tickle your fancy. Feeling a little unhinged? Why don’t you try the Hickey Dining Hall!
I know it sounds crazy, but hear me out. I get my best articles written when I’m “Hickey bumming,” or setting up camp in the dining hall for an extended period of time. I have also heard the upper level is a pretty-solid study space. And if you bum long enough, you can be there when they switch from lunch to dinner — which ensures the freshest food for yourself.
With finals quickly approaching, it’s a great time to lock down your favorite study spot. Not sure what works for you yet? No worries! Week 12 is when it actually gets real.
baehlma21@bonaventure.edu
