As a senior approaching my last few months at Swarthmore, I started reflecting more on my time at this college. More importantly, I decided to reflect more on one of the most important aspects of being a college student, and something critical that I think everyone here needs at some point or another: the perfect study spot. Over time, I learned that the search for a perfect study spot says just as much about me as it does about these unique, liminal spaces on campus itself. Throughout my time at Swarthmore, I’ve rotated through reading rooms, basements, libraries, and even dining spaces, chasing that ideal but evasive mixture of focus, community, and even background noise to help my brain feel more wired and focused. Each place I have studied in has uniquely shaped a different chapter of my academic journey here, and I wanted to share my progression from place to place as a student here in hopes of sharing these treasured nooks and spots with others.
For the longest time, Cornell Library’s third floor has served as the main anchor in my study routine. Ever since discovering this floor in my freshman year, I instantly gravitated toward its quiet, oasis-like feel. When I settle into a desk on this floor, I know I either am about to get serious work done or am reaching a level of peace and solitude that is rare to find on this campus outside of my own bedroom. Hours can slip by without interruption, and I have found myself accomplishing everything from banging out 10-page essay drafts to completing laborious Macroeconomics problem sets up here. At the same time, that same kind of intensity can feel suffocating when the silence stretches on for too long, and on certain afternoons, I start to feel tucked away from the rest of campus. Still, Cornell’s proximity to the Science Center Cafe has saved me more times than I can count; I can pop out for a quick snack, refuel, and head right back upstairs. Even better, many of my friends have claimed Cornell as their primary study spot, and it’s always a welcome sight for me to come downstairs and see one of my friends lounging at a nearby table. I’ll take a short detour during a break, chat with them, and then return to my seat feeling emotionally and mentally recharged.
When I crave light and openness, I typically head to Underhill. Few places on campus rival the gorgeous view overlooking the forest. Sunlight floods the entire room throughout the day, and the trees in the distance create a calm, green background that reminds me of one of the main reasons I found Swarthmore so alluring all those years ago: the nature and greenery. In Underhill, I feel wrapped in warmth, and you’ll usually find me parked at a table, where I spread out my textbooks, grab a cup of tea or coffee, and settle into a steady rhythm of reading and writing. Natural light keeps me awake and feeling energized, and whenever my eyes start to strain from staring at my screen for too long, I always pause and crash in a chair next to the window, taking in the view and reminding myself of the lush world beyond my to-do list. On nights when I need to dig deep and focus (usually the night before a midterm or exam), I head downstairs to the basement and claim one of the private rooms. I close the door, silence my phone, and immerse myself in the work at hand, and I often emerge late at night, tired but deeply satisfied, ready to head back to my room and get a deep night of sleep.
Of course, no reflection on my life as a student would feel complete without McCabe Library. For much of my junior fall semester, especially during midterms and finals, you could almost always find me there, whether I tucked myself away into tiny cubicles or reserved a room on the second floor and invited friends to join me. We worked quietly side by side, occasionally pausing to compare answers or rant about something on our minds. I love McCabe not only for its familiarity but also for the ritual of studying there. Because it sits a good distance away from the Science Center, I treated every snack break as a small adventure, and during pockets of nicer weather, I loved to step outside, breathe in the fresh air, and make a quick run to the Science Center café to grab something to nibble on while studying. Those brief walks clear my mind and reset my focus. McCabe is a space that carried me through some of my most academically intense weeks at Swarthmore, and I’ll always appreciate the stories it gave me.
My pursuit of a new study spot continues, but on a campus as dynamic as Swarthmore’s, I’ve found that I can shape my environment to match my goals and mood whenever I want. And in doing so, I’ve discovered that the best study spots, for me, are usually where I can make myself comfortable, depending on the day: sometimes I like to be surrounded by friends, other days working quietly in my own isolated nook; sometimes I prefer the dark privacy of a study room, and other days I crave the warmth of the sun and trees around me.
