For this location, I chose a spot where I, personally, would never choose to study due to what I thought would be a loud atmosphere and close proximity to food (a major distractor of mine). However, every time I enter Redifer Commons there are dozens of students scattered around the tables eating, studying, and socializing so I figured I owed it to myself and my fellow students to explore this popular study environment.
Redifer Commons, aka South Dining Hall, is known for its real-world type
of dining experience, offering five to six different possible places to eat a-la-carte at a given time, which differs from other dining hall’s buffet’s and occasional coffee shop and grocery store. Redifer typically is very busy around standard lunch and dinner times (think 12-2 and 5-7, with a bonus late-night meal from 8-11) and it is therefore difficult to find a table to yourself that is undisturbed by the hustle and bustle of the eating students. During these times Redifer remains in a perpetual uproar, the clamoring din caused by hundreds of hungry students waiting in lines and eating their meals.
Even so, between meal times Redifer is a relatively laid-back environment with scattered students studying and dining hall workers restocking the food areas. Personally, this is the time when I would choose to study at Redifer. It feels relatively secluded and yet still open and not like you are hiding, unlike most other study environments.
Like all the dining halls, Redifer offers numerous different types of
available seating, from booths to regular tables to bar tables and from tables out in the open to tables tucked far in the back. For my study spot, I chose the green study area that overlooks the actual dining hall, a kind of secluded study area that houses only a couple of booths to do homework in but still allows you to feel included in the busy environment of the dining area it overlooks.
I would recommend Redifer Commons to people who like to be around a buzz of other people when they get their work done or to people who enjoy snacking during their study sessions (because you can buy snacks here, obviously). This area would work best for people who have odd times off in their schedules if they want to study to avoid the crush of mealtimes.
Overall, Redifer Commons is fairly conducive to studying in my opinion, however I tend to prefer areas more secluded and away from the rumble of people. Even up in the green study space, there are still people conversing usually, making it hard for me to put my entire focus into my work.
Living in East Halls, I rarely ever make it down by South, so I appreciate the insight into locations I do not spend a lot of time in. My typical studies areas are my room, the lobby of my dorm, or the library, so I also tend to prefect more quiet areas. However, Redifer does seem like a nice hall, comfortable for socializing with friends, so I could definitely see myself meeting friends here for lunch or meeting together for group assignments!