Over the past few months, I’ve been on a mission to find some of the best study spots on campus (other than the Library, of course). Throughout this semester, I’ve discovered some great spots to get my work done, and I wanted to take the opportunity to recap some highlights from those experiences. Like the rest of my passion blog posts, I’ve taken into account major factors like ambient noise levels, food and drink amenities, seating arrangements/availability, location, and smaller details like great views or natural light.

Starting with the HUB, some of my favorite aspects from the HUB included the variations in seating options throughout the building, as well as the plethora of food and drink amenities. Living in South campus, the location of the HUB was extremely convenient as well. My largest complaints included not being able to find many open seating areas with desk space, as well as the high ambient noise-levels.

The following post, I decided to take a trip across HUB Lawn to the Biobehavioral Building, where I found the ambient noise to be almost non-existent. In addition to this near-silent environment, I found a plethora of seating arrangements with table space, allowing me to get all of my work done in one area. Some other major pros included the great views of South campus, as well as lots natural light in the space. The only major drawback of the space was the lack of food and drink amenities (which wasn’t a dealbreaker considering the HUB is less than a minute walk away).

Next I journeyed West to the Westgate Building. There, I found great seating arrangements with plenty of desk space, relatively-low ambient noise levels, food and drink amenities, great views, and plenty of natural light. The largest drawback, however, was the location of the building. Being in far-West campus, the aptly-named Westgate Building is out of the way for many students.

After trying to study in Westgate, I decided to try the brand-new Bellisario Media Center in the Willard Building. There, I found myself enjoying the seating arrangements and low ambient noise levels, however I noticed the distinct lack of natural light and food/drink amenities. One major positive for the media center was it’s extremely-convenient location, especially for students with classes in Willard.

Next, I tried journeying North to the Business Building, where I found great food and drink options. The seating are I chose was filled with natural light, and there was an abundance of seating options. However, one of the largest drawbacks of the space was definitely the high ambient noise levels.

Finally, to finish-off my quest for the best study spot on campus, I tried studying in the Chambers Building. Although the building didn’t have any food or drink amenities, I found myself being extremely-productive in my study spot on the “bridge” of the Chambers Building. The seating was comfortable, however I could definitely see how the seating area could get filled up rapidly.

All in all, I can confidently say that I would recommend all of the study spots I tried out. However, I did find myself repeatedly-visiting a couple of study spots in particular. Namely, I found myself going to Westgate (whenever I was in the area) and the Biobehavioral Building. In fact, I were to choose a favorite study spot, I would have to decide on the BBH building. The BBH building has the perfect mix of all of the factors I was looking for, with the convenient location being a huge plus! I would recommend the space to anyone, especially if you’re looking for a new spot to get work done.

Last week, I decided to venture to North campus to try getting some work done in the Smeal College of Business’ Business Building. While I was pleased with the plethora of seating options, conveniently-located food and drink amenities, and the natural light in the space, one of the largest downsides I noticed were the relatively-high levels of ambient noise. This week, I decided to stay in North campus and try studying in the home of the College of Education, the Chambers Building. Last semester I had some classes in the Chambers Building, and I ran into some study spots with high-potential in the building throughout the semester. While I never got the chance to try them out in the Fall semester, I was glad to re-visit Chambers and try getting some work done.

 

 

I reached my study spot at around 3pm on a Wednesday. The area where I eventually settled on for getting some work done was on the second floor of the building, in a “bridge-like” section of the building. It was a narrow hallway with a couple of booth seating arrangements. Being that classes were still going on at the time, I was surprised to see that this seating area was relatively-empty, meaning that there were seating options to choose from. One of the first things that I noticed after getting settled in the area was the low amounts of ambient noise. Since the seating area was in an isolated hallway, I found that there was extremely little noise in the area, even when classes were changing. In fact, the noise levels were comparable to those in the pin-drop silence environment of the Biobehavioral Health Building.

In terms of comfort, I found the seating arrangements to be great, allowing for me to work for long periods of time. In addition, with each of the seating arrangements containing desk space, getting all types of work done is extremely convenient. One consideration, however, is the small nature of the space. While I was able to find a booth to work in, there are only 4-5 booths available, meaning that the space could be filled very easily. Despite the size of the area, this study space is filled with natural light, making it a huge positive point for me.

In terms of food and drink amenities, the Chambers Building doesn’t have any Starbucks, Paneras, or even Saxby’s. However, if you are looking for a spot nearby to find mid-study refreshments, the Starbucks in the library is always a great option. Another drawback, similar to buildings like Westgate and the Business Building, is the Chambers Building’s location. Living in South, I found myself having to walk a considerable amount to get to and from my study spot.

Overall, I would consider my experience studying in the Chambers Building to be positive! While the location and the lack of food and drink amenities in the building were some of the main drawbacks of the space, I really appreciated the natural light and the seating arrangements in the space. If you’re in the area and want a different study spot from the library, I would definitely recommend trying out the Chambers Building!

In the previous post, I found myself getting some work done in the Willard Building’s brand-new Bellisario Media Center. I really enjoyed the experience, as the low levels of ambient noise and the plethora of seating options, combined with Willard’s convenient location, all contributed to a close-to-ideal studying experience. However, some of my main criticisms of the space included the lack of natural light and food or drink amenities. In the next stop on my journey to find the best study spot, I decided to take a trip to the Business Building. Home to the Smeal College of Business and situated in the Northern side of campus, the Business Building seemed to have the makings of an appealing study spot just from its initial impressions.

 

 

I reached my study spot around 2pm on a Wednesday. I decided to get settled in the main seating area on the ground floor of the building. Classes were still going on at the time, and the business building seemed to be full of students looking to get some work done. As a result, seating options were definitely limited, however there were still enough spaces for everyone. Interestingly, in terms of ambient noise, I found the Business Building to be in between Westgate/Bellisario Media Center and the HUB. This meant that while I didn’t find the noise to be particularly-distracting, I definitely noticed the environment to be louder than my previous two study spots.

In terms of comfort, I found the seating options to be excellent, allowing me to complete my work for long periods of time undistracted.  While my options might have been limited for seating, there is a plethora of seating arrangements available in the Business Building, making the space great for both individual and collaborative work. Like Westgate, I found the business building to have a large selection of desks, making it convenient to get all types of work finished.

In my previous review, some of my biggest cons for the Bellisario Media Center included the lack of natural light and the lack of food and drink amenities. To my satisfaction, the Business Building had plenty to offer for both these considerations. The Business Building has large multi-story floor-to-ceiling windows, letting in an abundance of natural light. While the views might not be as eye-catching as those from Westgate or the Biobehavioral Health Building, the natural light is a welcomed feature of the space. In terms of food and drink amenities, the Business Building is home to a conveniently-located Saxby’s (it’s located on the ground floor, right in front of where I was studying). Other than the higher ambient noise-levels, the only other major drawback that I found for the Business Building was it’s location. Living in South campus, the Business building was a long walk for me, however students living in East campus (or with classes in the area) will likely enjoy the relative-convenience of the Business Building.

Overall, my experience at the Business building was excellent! Other than the noise levels and the location, I would consider it a near perfect experience, as it combined many of the major elements I look for in an ideal study spot. If you’re in the area (or if you’re willing to make the long walk), I would definitely recommend checking out the Business Building!

In the previous post, I decided to venture West to get some work done in the appropriately-named Westgate building. It’s safe to say it was one of my favorite study spots so far, especially since it’s a great middle ground between the HUB and the Biobehavioral Health Building. The low levels of ambient noise and the seating arrangements, paired with the views and amenities, contributed to the great study environment that Westgate offers. One of my biggest drawbacks for the building, however, was its inconvenient location for most students. As a result, I decided to try out a study spot which might be a bit less of a walk, namely the Willard Building. In particular, I tried studying in the newly-opened Bellisario Media Center.

When most people think of the Willard Building, the first words that come to mind likely aren’t very positive. The older classrooms and lecture halls, paired with the uncomfortable wooden benches in the hallways, probably doesn’t scream “great study spot” to most students (myself included). However, on the other side of Willard, beyond the classrooms and wooden benches, lies the recently-opened Bellisario Media Center. I accidentally discovered the Media Center after accidentally taking the wrong entrance into Willard, but I’d definitely say it’s a mistake I don’t regret. My main study spot was by the main entrance in what was intended to be a collaborative space. I arrived around noon on a Tuesday. While students were going in between classes, I found the area to be relatively-quiet, and it was far less-occupied than I expected. While I decided to set up camp at a bar-like seating area, there was a plethora of different seating options, giving students the flexibility to choose the best option for themselves. In fact, one of my favorite aspects of the Media Center in Willard was the versatility of the space, making it great to get all types of work done.

 

 

 

The ambient noise levels were extremely-comparable to Westgate, as I never found the background noise to be disturbing. The comfort of the seating arrangements was excellent, allowing me to get work done comfortably for as long as I need. One of my biggest challenges throughout my search for the best study spots on campus has been finding open desk space. However, similar to Westgate, finding ample desk space is far from a problem. As I mentioned before, there was plenty of space available throughout my time at the Media Center.

One of the biggest drawbacks for me was the lighting in the Media Commons. While it seems to be by-design, I noticed the distinct lack of natural light in the area, and some areas felt dimly-lit. In addition, the lack of amenities in Willard (like Panera or Starbucks) might make it difficult to study for long-periods of time if you’re in the mood for a snack break.

Overall, however, my experience at the Bellisario Media Center in the Willard Building was great, as I found the study environment to be on-par with Westgate. While the lack of natural-lighting and food/drink amenities was noticeable for me, I found the location of Willard to be extremely convenient, especially given that many of my classes are in the building anyways (like RCL). Given these consideration, I would definitely recommend checking-out the Media Center next time you’re in the area looking for a study spot!

In the previous post, I took a trip to the Biobehavioral Health Building to try and get some work done, and I was extremely pleased with my experience. I appreciated the BBH Building’s convenient location, near-silent environment, and great views. In fact, one of the only drawbacks was the lack of amenities in the building itself. With these observations in mind, I decided to take a walk to West campus to try out a new spot; namely, the Westgate building. Home to the School of Information Sciences and Technology (and known for its extremely-windy walking tunnel), Westgate contains a plethora of study spots. The area I chose in particular was a seating area right next to the building’s Panera Bread.

 

 

I reached my study spot at around 4 pm on a Wednesday. While there were classes still going on at the time, the area was relatively-empty, with many seating options to choose from. While my experience at the HUB was characterized by high levels of ambient noise and my experience at the BBH Building was characterized by near-silence, my experience in Westgate was somewhere in between. While I couldn’t describe the seating area as being extremely quiet, I never found myself distracted by the ambient noise. As expected, the noise levels peaked in between classes, as students walked to and from their classes.

In terms of comfort, I found the chairs in seating areas around Westgate to be extremely comfortable, allowing you to work for long periods of time undisturbed if needed. The seating arrangements themselves were extremely convenient as well, as an abundance of desks was always available. This means that, unlike the HUB, you can finish all of your work in one area, rather than always having to look for open desks. One other consideration I made sure to take note of was the views from all around Westgate. For example, the seating area by the Panera Bread lies right above North Atherton Street (Westgate acts as a bridge over the street), giving you fascinating views of West campus, as well as the campus golf course. The sunset in particular was breathtaking through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Also, with these views comes another pro: an abundance of natural light which fill the rooms of Westgate.

Finally, while I’ve mentioned it briefly throughout this post, the Westgate building also has a Panera Bread conveniently-placed at the center of the building. The Panera makes grabbing mid-study refreshments extremely easy, as the amenities are located in the building itself. In addition, the excellent seating area adjacent to the Panera makes it a great location to both eat and study.

Overall, my study experience at Westgate was excellent, and in terms of environment I found it to be an appealing “middle ground” between studying at the HUB and the Biobehavioral Health Building. Noise levels remained low, and seating arrangements were extremely convenient and comfortable. In addition, Westgate has dining options and amenities in the form of the Panera Bread. One of the biggest drawbacks, however, is the location. Being in far West campus, Westgate is out of the way for many students. However, if you’re in the area (or willing to make the walk), I would definitely recommend checking Westgate out!

Last post, I kicked-off the search for the best study spot by visiting the HUB-Robeson Center. While the HUB has some great spots to get work done, some of the biggest negatives from my experience were the high ambient noise and the relatively-small number of desks available around the building. This time around, I decided to try out a spot on the other side of the HUB Lawn––the Biobehavioral Health building.

When I first came to campus in the Fall of 2021, my math professor was talking with me and a couple of students about his favorite areas to get work done on campus. Interestingly, one of his biggest recommendations was the Biobehavioral Health building. In fact, he mentioned that whenever he didn’t want to be found by his colleagues or students, the Biobehavioral Health building was his refuge. After visiting the building myself to get some work done, I can definitely understand where he’s coming from.

While the HUB had many different sitting areas and study spaces, all of the study spaces in the Biobehavioral Health building are concentrated on one end of the building, and they all offer a relatively-similar environment. I reached my study spot around 1pm on a Tuesday and, to my surprise, nearly all of the sitting areas were open. Speaking of seating areas, the building has three floors of seating, each of which contain 5-6 tables which seat two people (or one person if you like your space). You can see how one of these floors look in the picture above.

As mentioned before, the seating areas in the Biobehavioral Health building are rarely ever full, meaning that there’s almost always space to work. In addition, the study areas are near silent, making them excellent to get any type of work done. The chairs are comfortable as well, allowing you to work for long periods of time (a welcome change after the back-pain from the HUB’s indoor bleachers). In addition, especially on the higher floors, the views and the natural light from the building’s floor-to-ceiling windows are always welcomed.One of the biggest drawbacks of the Biobehavioral Health building is the lack of food and drink options. If you want to get any refreshments while you study, the closest option is making the short walk to the HUB. In some ways, however, the lack of food and drink options in the building itself ensure that the study areas are almost always silent.

Overall, like the HUB, the location of the Biobehavioral Health building itself is relatively-convenient, especially for students in South campus. While there aren’t many amenities inside the building, its close-proximity to the HUB still gives students quick access to all of the HUB’s amenities (HUB Dining, the bookstore, etc.). One major positive for the Biobehavioral Health building is the near-silent environment. That, paired with the abundance of open chairs, tables, and natural light, makes for a nearly-ideal study spot. The Biobehavioral Health building is a “hidden gem” when it comes to the best areas to get work done on campus, and it’s definitely worth checking out if you’re in the area!

To kick off the journey of finding the best study spots on campus, I decided to start off with a popular choice––the HUB-Robeson Center, often just shortened to, “the HUB.” As many students are likely familiar, the HUB is home to a plethora of dining options, a bookstore, many on-campus services, and, most importantly, an abundance of study spaces. Due to the wide selection of study spots, I decided to split my time between studying on the indoor bleachers that are directly above the bookstore, and the sitting area on the first floor in front of Alumni Hall.

 

The indoor bleachers in the HUB (Source: Onward State)

 

The sitting area right outside Alumni Hall in the HUB (Source: Penn Live)

 

I reached my first study spot, the indoor bleachers, around noon on a Tuesday. As expected, the space was filled with students studying and taking lunch breaks, making it difficult to find space to get settled. The first characteristic that I noticed about this study area was the amount of ambient noise. Located in one of the busiest parts of the HUB, the indoor bleachers have a relatively-high amount of ambient noise, potentially making it difficult to concentrate. In addition, the environment is filled with visual stimulants, especially with the close-proximity to the food court and students walking up and down the stairs. One big consideration for studying on the indoor bleachers is the lack of table-space, making it difficult to do any work that doesn’t involve typing on a computer. In addition, sitting on the indoor bleachers for long periods of time can be uncomfortable, as the wooden seating and the lack of back support can put stress on your body after extended periods of time.

When my back had enough of the indoor bleachers, I decided to travel to my next study spot, the sitting area in front of Alumni Hall (this one fortunately had actual chairs). Despite starting studying around 2pm, this area was still far quieter than the indoor bleachers. This, combined with fewer visual stimulants, made the area in front of Alumni Hall far better for focusing. Although there are no desks to work on, there are a couple of coffee tables scattered around the area.

Overall, the location of the building itself is relatively-convenient, especially for students in South campus. In addition, amenities like HUB Dining and the bookstore ensure that you never have to travel far for anything you may need while getting work done. Between the two spots I studied at, ambient noise might be seen as an issue (although personally, I enjoy having some ambient noise when I study), as well as the lack of desks or tables. However, other areas in the HUB, like the second and third floors, offer both quiet working environments and tables to work on. It’s also important to note that I visited the HUB during some of the busiest times of day––going later in the night often means a quieter environment and more open spaces. All in all, the HUB is a great spot to get quick work done in between classes, especially if you’re in the area!