Looking for a break from studying in your dorm? Our study spot guide has you covered
Photo via University of Victoria website.
Have you decided that the corner desk you’ve been haunting since first year isn’t cutting it anymore? Maybe your upstairs neighbour insists on moving furniture around at odd hours, or hosts a weekly at-home bowling night. Or you may be new to campus and don’t want to go through all the trial and error just to get some quality study time.
Either way, the Martlet has you covered with the latest and greatest in study spot recommendations.
McPherson Library
No list of study spaces can be complete without McPherson Library. With the main floor renovations now completed, it’s never been a better time to be a library enjoyer. McPherson is open late, and offers numerous study rooms and Tek Booths which you can book online.
If silent study time is your thing, McPherson also has you covered. The basement and third floor are both designated quiet floors, which are perfect for those who need a peaceful environment to concentrate.
Student Union Building (SUB), Vertigo Lounge
Hear me out; with its lack of windows and odd layout, Vertigo doesn’t exactly scream “relaxation.” But when you need to crush out a study session, Vertigo is no slouch. This former nightclub has plenty of booths, which are comfortable and great for privacy, or groups of friends. It’s also fairly spacious, and usually not too crowded outside of peak hours, which tend to be in the afternoon.
Another plus is Vertigo’s proximity to the SUB’s food and coffee outlets. From Felicita’s Pub (19+) to the Munchie Bar, study snacks are just a few steps away.
Departmental Reading Rooms
Many departments, including Fine Arts, Philosophy, and Geography keep a small “reading room” for undergraduate students to use. In addition to a great study space, these are an amazing way to meet people in your department and make new friends!
The only downside of these spaces is that they’re often very small and fill up quickly. Check if your department has one, but have a backup spot in mind just in case.
Classrooms after hours
As long as you aren’t put off by the occasional visitor popping in, a classroom — provided you go outside of class hours — can be a great study spot for yourself or a group. Campus buildings do eventually close, so don’t expect to pull an all-nighter with this option, but some are open late enough to make it worthwhile.
Due to its size and number of rooms, the Clearihue building is a classic choice, and is open until 10:00 p.m. The Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) building is a great option too thanks to the after-hours keycard, which is available for Engineering and Computer Science majors.
Elliott Building
The Elliott Building, which houses the Chemistry and Physics and Astronomy departments as well as the Faculty of Science, is also home to some pretty decent study spots! The main floor of the building has a nice lounge space, and the upper floors also have lots of tables to study at — they are conveniently located near the staircase, so you don’t have to hunt for them. One bonus to these spaces is the nearby windows, which let in plenty of natural light.
If a dungeon devoid of human life is more your study vibe, the basement of Elliott is also a viable spot. There are a couple tables here, but the real draw of this location is cubicle desks (also seen in the library), which give you reliable privacy while studying.
Bob Wright Centre
A classic and uncontroversial spot, the lobby of the Bob Wright Centre is spacious and well-lit, with plenty of tables to sit and work at. Although it gets a lot of foot traffic, the lounge is a bit removed from the main entrances, so you should be able to study without too many distractions.
Bob Wright is also home to the SciCafé, for those who need a pick-me-up but don’t want to trek all the way over to Bibliocafé for their sweet treat.
Moka House / Cadboro Bay
Okay, this one isn’t technically on campus, but it’s only a short hop down Sinclair Road. Sometimes time away from campus in a cozy, vibey café is just what you need to get the academic juices flowing. Moka House has an added bonus of being steps away from the beach, if you need to take a walk or want to study in the great outdoors.
