Blog: My five fave study spaces on campus

Hi, I’m Caitlin. One of your Student Content Shapers and I’m here with a quick and helpful guide of some alternative study spaces on our beautiful campus!

As we’re coming close to the end of the semester and January assessments are in sight, here’s a guide to some of my favourite study spots to give you some inspiration for your next study sesh.

1) The Main Library

It just wouldn’t be a study space blog without mentioning the library. Although it gets increasingly busy as the semester goes on, it's still a great building to concentrate in and get the academic juices flowing. Located in the centre of campus and open 24/7 during term time, it’s the perfect place for early morning and late-night study sessions. Everyone is productive at the different times!

The library has silent study spaces like the media room for focused and individual studying. Along with more communal areas like the library lounge and the library café where you can buy food. Make sure to note that eating is restricted in most rooms of the library.

To help you figure out how quiet or packed it is, the library also has a colour-coding system to indicate how many people are on each of the floors. You can also check the MyUoB app for "Library Space" to find out how many seats are available.

2) JG Smith

Moving away from the main library we have my personal favourite (and an underrated) study space… the JG Smith building. You may have seminars there already as it has both seminar and study rooms, just look out for the blue sign. Located behind Muirhead tower and with 185 study spaces, there’s plenty of choices. The building is open Monday to Friday, 8am until 8pm and tends to be a little bit quieter than some of the other study spaces!

I personally find JG Smith a little bit less intimidating than the library which can get too quiet.So, my friends know where to find me when I’m doing work.

3) Mason lounge, Arts building

Another of my frequent playing grounds is the Mason Lounge in the Arts building. It’s not just because it shares a name with my first-year accommodation! The Mason Lounge has 142 study spaces, open Monday to Friday 08:00-19:00. 

Mason can be a bit chattier than some of the other spaces so it’s great if you’re with friends. Ifyou’relooking for a more focused session though, there’s silent study rooms on the ground floor of Arts.

4) The Old Gym

The Old Gym is a bit smaller with 36 study spots which makes for a relaxed and fresh study session. Again, open Monday to Friday from 08:00-19:00, there’s lots of time to get those assignments done. 

The Old Gym prides itself on its IT availability and has lots of computer clusters to help you get on with some work.

5) Sports, Exercise, and Rehabilitation Building

Last but not least is the Sports building. A bit of a different one and a bit more out of the way, by the sports pitches, but still a great spot nonetheless. Sports and Exercise have a bright and spacious atrium which is perfect for group and individual work.

Extra points for the massive colouring sheet in the middle for when you need a bit of a break!

I hope this was a helpful guide and has inspired you to try a new spot to study in. Massive good luck with deadline season – we've got this!

For more study spaces as well as resources, support and student advice, check out our UoBe Ready page.