University Park

Quiet spots on, off campus offer ideal study spaces for finals week

By Molly Sheerer

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- While many students at the University Park campus flock to the comfy chairs in Pattee Library's nicknamed "Harry Potter" room (officially known as the Paterno Humanities Reading Room) to study, especially during finals week, there are only so many chairs and seats at those long wooden tables to go around.

Of course, there are several other locations in the the Libraries to study, and extended hours there offer additional, nontraditional study times -- for instance, 24-hour service in the Knowledge Commons, open hours to 2 a.m. thoughout other areas. Nevertheless, students who prefer to study elsewhere on campus might consider checking out these spots:

-- Business Building
The Business Building offers various places to study, whether students choose one of the couches on the ground floor or hole up in one of the classrooms. Either way, the atmosphere offers quiet places to buckle down with the books.

-- Hammond Building
There’s a library and a computer lab on the third floor, all in a classroom building close to downtown.

-- Hintz Family Alumni Center
Many students have only been here for a Blue and White Society bash, but the leather couches, long tables and serene atmosphere offer a great place to study from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and occasionally on Saturdays. 

-- HUB Study Rooms
While many students may think the HUB-Robeson Center is too noisy to get work done, surprise, surprise -- study rooms behind the art gallery on the second floor near the HUB Auditorium offer a secluded, quiet place to study.

-- Life Sciences Building, 3rd floor bridge between Life Sciences and Chemistry buildings
Those who really love the comfy chairs in the Harry Potter room but never get a seat now have a new spot to call their own. The study area on the bridge is filled with comfy chairs all lined along the window to provide a great view of Shortlidge Road.

Downtown also offers several study spaces. Check out the local State College library on South Allen Street, Schlow Centre Region Library. With several fast food places, restaurants and coffee shops nearby, students don’t have to venture far for a study break snack. Many students choose to study downtown, especially those who live off campus. If students prefer to complete avoid the crowds studying on campus, they can venture elsewhere in downtown State College and in the greater Centre Region -- some of the best spots to study there include coffee shops and restaurants with free Wi-Fi and coffee, providing necessities to keep studying long into the night.

By surveying what options several study spots each have to offer, students can find the ideal spot to focus.

Students who find a quiet and alluring study spot and want to share the suggestion can tweet it to @PennState411 during finals week, and account admins will help get the word out to its followers. 

Last Updated November 28, 2012

Contact