The best study spots on campus
My name is Mollie, and I'm in my third year as an undergraduate geography student at the University of Huddersfield. As expected at university, I've had an abundance of assessments to complete and therefore, a lot of studying. It can be challenging to find the best spot to study in, but luckily our campus has a great variety of areas that are ideal for all types of people and have access to a wide range of resources.
My first piece of advice when looking for good study spots is to get to know the buildings you'll be in the most. Due to being classified as a science course, geography students are based in the Joseph Priestley building where we have access to a large specially designed study space that has three concealed rooms ideal for group work. Geography students also have many lectures and seminars in the Oastler building and occasional lectures in the Charles Sikes and Lockside buildings.
Basing myself in study spots within buildings where I already have lectures means I can make the most out of the free time I have. I dedicate that time to revision and assignments outside of lectures - that way I spend less time travelling between buildings. This is also one of the reasons the campus library is an essential study area to consider as it is placed at the centre of campus.
The university library has a variety of resources accessible to students including five floors of loanable books, many of which can be accessed digitally. There is also over five hundred computers across the five floors and over one hundred laptops available to loan, which I found really useful when my personal laptop had to be taken for repair.
Within the library, you can find general study areas, silent study areas (the peaceful environment is maintained with an anonymous messaging system to alert staff members of disruptions), and study rooms which are available to book for group work.
The library has become one of my preferred areas to work as the silent study areas enable me to focus and the computers are equipped with all the required software and specialist programmes needed for my course.
Whilst we were given a tour of the library on the Open Day I attended, I wish I'd visited by myself sooner once my course had started to understand just how many resources it has for studying - especially when you just need some quiet in order to focus!
However, despite only just realising the benefits of the physical library space and not just the online article resources, I have benefitted from many hours of focussed study there.
An additional perk is that the library’s environment can help you to feel more comfortable when studying alone. I initially found studying alone quite daunting as I was attending a university where I didn’t know anyone (like a lot of people here).
Top Tip: If you need to use a computer, always check the availability of computers on the library website, or before entering - this will save you time walking around each floor.
My other favourite places on campus include the giant steps in the Oastler building, which are a nice place to sit when eating lunch and studying. I also like the raised tables on the upper floors of Oastler and the bar type seating area looking over the lower floors (this might be a spot to miss for those scared of heights). These areas are often peaceful, and as mentioned above, they put me in close proximity to my next lessons.
A quick tip for other applied science students when finding the best study areas within the Joseph Priestly building, is to search for the quiet table areas which are not as obvious to those who don’t spend time within the different wings of the building. The tables are located in the same area as the lecturers’ offices which is helpful when you need to ask for advice. The proximity to the offices does mean quiet study should be maintained, therefore it's a good place for focusing!
My favourite aspect of every study spot I have used across the university is the extensive access to plug sockets, which means low batteries won’t become a problem whilst studying.
When studying it's important to focus on your needs, not necessarily those of your friends and to know that it's completely normal to study by yourself on campus. Even if it’s a little uncomfortable initially, studying alone can help you produce a higher standard of work due to higher engagement levels.
As for study spots outside of campus, there are numerous cafés in Huddersfield and some green areas which are ideal if you enjoy the outdoors.
There are also numerous cafés on campus too, and along the canal is a nice place to sit if the weather is nice, so across both Huddersfield and the University’s campus there is a variety of environments suitable for studying.
I wish everyone the best of luck in finding the perfect study spots, just know, the campus will have something that is just right for you and your study needs!
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