Getting to Work: Your Guide to the Best Study Spots at SMU

Written by Julia Yurchesyn

Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash

Picture it: You’ve bought your favorite study drink, brought your laptop, notebooks and favorite pair of headphones, and you’re ready to sit down and hit the books…

…EXCEPT there are so many people around, it seems impossible to find a place to actually sit. What do you do?

Have no fear—this University Contributor at the SMU Journal has the perfect article for you. This one is going to go through different places at SMU where you can sit down and study, for when you have no idea where to go. Let’s get started:

1. For a Relaxed Study/Work Session:

Loyola, 1st Floor:

If you go when there’s available space, this place is awesome! The seating near the main doors have decent-sized tables and sofa seats that provide enough space for a few students to work together. It’s chill and relaxed, and I especially like it when I want to be around a busier and more stimulating environment.

If you turn down the first hallway, there’s also seating and tables along the wall. While the hallway can be super busy during your typical weekday, I’ve found that the seats are tucked away enough to provide the focus needed for assignments and studying. When I want to get some busy-work done, I always check this spot!

Atrium Lounge:

A classic for everyone at SMU, this lounge is popular for a reason! The sun-roof lets in natural light, and the living wall is a comforting and refreshing presence in the middle of midterms and exams. Not to mention, there is so much open space in this area. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your classes, this area can help relieve some of the claustrophobia that you might be feeling.

Also, can’t forget about the comfy seating options—you can only sit at a desk for so long! The open space and communal tables in this area are perfect for studying with friends or prepping for a group project.

Patrick Power Library, 1st Floor:

The first floor of the library is a hub of students reading, working, and resting. What’s nice about it is the variety of seating: tables that are available in an open space, the reading lounge, computers for printing. Additionally, the bustle of other people can create a hypnotic rhythm that might work for you—people have told me that the first floor helps them to study because of the background activity and more relaxed atmosphere, and to be perfectly honest, I feel the same way. 

2. It’s Time to Take a Step Back and Focus

Atrium, Computers:

When you have a significant to-do list, this spot has what you need: computers, printers, space to take out books and your laptop, and enough chairs for your friends to join you. The living wall also offers some separation from the rest of the atrium, providing this space with a different, more studious kind of atmosphere.  

Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash

Loyola, 2nd Floor:

I’ll be honest: I find it difficult to get a spot in this study corner because it’s so popular. However, it’s worth checking out when you need a place to go—the enormous window panes provide much needed natural light and a picturesque view of SMU’s campus. There are also outlets for charging your devices, low tables and couches, and high tables and chairs. It’s perfect for when you’re in the zone and are ready to get some work done.

O’Donnell Hennessey Student Centre, Student Common Space (5th Floor): 

A little more limited and closed off, this floor is for when you need to get away from the bigger, more busier spaces. There’s a good variety of seating to choose from (sofas, tables, etc.), and again, it's an ideal spot to check out if you’re with a group. 

Because it’s not in Loyola/Atrium, it is not always the most frequented study spot (I didn’t know about it until my second year…), so if it seems like everywhere is crowded, this is a location I would definitely check out. Just a heads up though, sometimes the space can be booked by societies/organizations, making it unavailable for use.

3. Snack n’ Study

Starbucks (Atrium):

The seating here is fantastic! For one, I can get up and get a coffee whenever I want without worrying about leaving behind my personal belongings, and the seats and tables are small enough for me to sit down all by myself and feel comfortable. The tables against the wall also have outlets to charge your devices and little tables next to the seats where you can place your bags, making it a perfect productivity hub with the majestic allure of a cafe. 

Sandwich Shack (McNally Basement):

Located in the McNally Basement, there's almost always available seating here! The tables and chairs give you the space to eat and get some work done, not to mention being so close to the best lunch option on campus. Being in the basement, there’s also a nice, quieter atmosphere that you won’t find anywhere else.

Student Food Court (O’Donnell Hennessey Student Centre, 1st Floor):

Tables, outlets, windows and food, what else do you need? This spot has a significant amount of available seating, including booths, tables, and chairs, meaning most of the time, you will find somewhere to sit. There’s also a relaxed atmosphere, where you can take a break, eat with your friends and also have the space to pull out your laptop and watch a lecture or read a textbook chapter.  

4. Time to listen to Nike and ‘Just Do It’

Patrick Power Library, 2nd and 3rd Floors:

It’s the 11th hour, and you’ve got no choice but to get it done. This is the tried and true spot: lots of desks, a quiet (silent) space, and some outlets if you need one. Unfortunately, it can be crowded during the day and sometimes difficult to find a desk near an outlet. However, I still highly recommend these spaces for when you’ve gotta focus and put those hours in. As a student, this is my ride or die study space for midterms and finals. 

Patrick Power Library Study Rooms:

This is the utopia of SMU study spots: a private room with a table, chairs, and a white board. Perfect to study by yourself and also for a group study session. The not so good part? It is so hard to book these rooms; they’re extremely popular. If you want to, make sure to book them at least a month in advance, and maybe consider a time when fewer students would want to use them (like evenings and weekends). You can learn more about booking a study room here. 

Arts Study Lounge (McNally, 2nd Floor):

I love this spot. Most of the time, it’s quiet and chill, with computers, tables and seats available for student use. Because it’s in the dreaded maze that is the McNally building, there’s less demand for it than if it were in Loyola or the Atrium. Also, as a BA student, there’s something that feels so peaceful about it, kinda like home. If you’re at a loss for where to go, or if you need somewhere that feels quieter and like it has a slower pace, this is the place to check out. 

Conclusion:

I get it: the panic that sets in when you need to get work done, but you don’t know where to go—been there, done that. Hopefully, you’re a little more aware of the options there are on campus and that this article will help you find your way to the land of focus and productivity. I’m right there with you—good luck!