Tip of the Week: 8 Great Places to Study on Campus

Congratulations on almost completing your first month at UMass! My name is Paul and I’m a junior working as a Peer Advisor for the Undergraduate Advising Office. My fellow Peer Advisor Gabby and I will be writing for the blog giving you helpful advice on how to take full advantage of your college experience and the resources available.

Whether you are a freshman or a returning student, everyone has questions, so stop by the Academic Advising Link Sundays through Thursdays from 4-8 pm in the Learning Commons of the Dubois Library for advice about SPIRE, classes, majors, GenEd requirements, etc. We are super friendly and here to help!

With the workload of everyone’s classes starting to pick up, I figured it would be beneficial to start talking about great places to study on campus.

Having trouble studying in your dorm? Your neighbors listening to that loud dubstep song on repeat? Can’t find your perfect little nook to get your homework done? Well, your search has come to an end! Here are 8 great places to study on campus ranging from the obvious to some more unusual spots that might be the perfect place for YOU.

1.  The W.E.B. Dubois Library

Everyone knows the place to study is the library. Most people don’t know that the library is open from Sunday at 11:00 AM all the way to Friday at 9 PM and it’s open from 9 AM to 9 PM on Saturdays. Plan on studying for a long time or pulling an all-nighter? The library’s your best bet.

Explore the library! With 26 different floors ranging from the basement where you are allowed to quietly talk, to complete quiet floors where you might get a couple of dirty looks if you answer your phone, there is a place for everyone. Find the floor that fits your study habits. Seeing all these other students studying might be the best motivator to get you in the mood to do the same.

Don't forget to stop by the Academic Advising Link in the Learning Commons in the basement of the library Sunday to Thursday from 4-8pm. Our friendly and helpful peer advisors can answer your questions. We've been where you are now and we love helping out other students.

If this is the view from the 9th floor of the library, I wonder what the view from the 26th floor is like…..?  Go find out for yourself!

2.  Studio Arts Building

For all you students living in Central who don’t want to walk all the way to the library to study, try the Studio Arts Building! It’s located on the bottom of the hill right near Gorman and Hills House. On the 2nd floor, there are comfy couches, chairs, and desks. It’s a nice open area with large windows and colorful lights- perfect to calm your mind and get you in the study mood!


Get creative in the Studio Arts Building!



3.  Isenberg Atrium

Located inside the Isenberg School of Management near Mahar and the Fine Arts Center, is the Isenberg Atrium. If the hustle and bustle of Isenberg students working on group projects doesn’t make you want to do work, I don’t know what will.

4.  Student Union

Located in the middle of campus is the Student Union. There are comfy chairs on the ground floor and some desks on the 2nd floor. It’s a convenient spot on campus if you want to get some quick studying done in between classes. Check out all the student organizations and events going on while you’re there. Plus, if you need to print something quickly before class, check out Campus Design and Copy!

5.  Integrated Science Building

The newly built Integrated Science Building is perfect for everyone on campus, especially those who live in the Northeast Area. With its sleek, modern design, you can’t help but be amazed while inside. There are new desks and chairs to do homework, and if you go while after classes are done for the day, it’s typically really quiet. Located right next to Worcester Dining Hall, ISB is a beautiful place to relax and get some work done.

6.  Earthfoods and People’s Market in the Student Union, Greeno Sub Shop located in Greenough Residential Hall, Sweets n More located in Field Residential Hall

These locations aren’t going to be the quietest but if you are trying to get a little grub, try out a new place on campus you have never been to. Go to these places if you’re looking for a new, relaxed atmosphere to study in. Don’t just stick to the Dining Commons. You might find a new place to study but you also might find your new favorite place to eat on campus. While there is no seating, if you’re looking for a quick snack or coffee during a study break, check out People’s Market- it’s cheap, there’s great music, and the co-managers are always friendly.

Note: Some of these places only accept YCMP if you have the YCMP meal plan.

7.  Durfee Conservatory

The Durfee Conservatory is a hidden gem that many UMass students are unaware of. Located across from University Health Services, once you go there for the first time you can’t help but go back. Outside, there are gardens and inside there are several plants and a breath-taking rainforest room with a couple of benches to sit on. You won’t exactly be able to write your 50 page thesis here, but the Durfee Conservatory is a great place to relax, enjoy nature, and read a book. It’s open Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM-4:00 P.M.

8.  Outside!

It’s important to spend as much as time outside as possible before it gets too cold. On top of the Campus Center are desks that students like to study and hang out at on a beautiful day. There are also benches outside the Student Union, the library, and plush areas of grass all around campus. So go outside, enjoy the sunshine, and study, study, study!


Go check out these places! This campus is so huge and not exploring everything would be a shame. Look for other places to study, you never know what little study spot you will find next. Do what you need to do to get your work done in a comfortable environment.