One of the number-one jobs as a student is to study. Go figure, right? But even more so than high school, while I have a lot more time between classes, studying takes up a lot of my schedule, especially around midterms and finals. I've discovered that studying, while sometimes a chore, can also be a fulfilling time filled with new information, exciting subject matters and the tangible feeling of becoming smarter about something I'm interested in.
I’ve also discovered several study spots on campus that take advantage of Montana’s natural appeal. These spots improve my work, boost my focus and dazzle my eyes when I need a break. Scroll on to see some of my favorite study spots on campus, some more secret than others, but each one is as uniquely beautiful as the other.
The University Center Atrium
We’ll start with a popular one. The UC and its amenities aren’t much of a secret, but sometimes the most obvious choice is that way for a reason. The University Center remains as beautiful in our tough winters as it is in spring, thanks to the expansive indoor garden and atrium flourishing with life.
This space is great for those of you who prefer noise and busy surroundings for your study location. The UC offers not only seating but music, air conditioning, food courts, and a view that could put even English majors at a loss for words. There's plenty of seating available across three floors and in the food court, ranging from pseudo-hectic to quiet corners.
Library Fifth Floor
And here’s the big one – not just for its appearance, its study value, or its secrecy, but for all three combined. The fifth floor of the library is quite possibly the best study spot on the entire U of M campus. It’s a gigantic room of bookshelves, group study spaces, and cushioned window chairs.
There are also large whiteboards scattered throughout the space for you to explore your studies in a more visual, hands-on way. It’s also a designated quiet floor, so don’t expect any exterior distractions. The fifth floor is known only to an elite group of study professionals. And now by you.
Eck Hall
Speaking of English majors, students of the Liberal Arts probably won’t be happy with me for spoiling one of our best study spots. Eck Hall, one of the few buildings located right off the Oval (north to be specific), boasts three floors of desks, tables, and couches, each level emptier than the last.
Eck Hall has that nice study vibe. Maybe its all the English majors walking around with books in hand, or the quiet murmurs of classrooms in session, but I've always been able to quickly get into focus and feel my study time zoom by as I dial in.
Library Computer Lab
This is another spot that may feel obvious to some but it’s too good not to mention. Doing homework from my own computer makes it far too easy for me to get distracted by the army of social media and games that sit two clicks away, and the computer lab is a perfect answer to that. There are also booths and tables nearby if you’d prefer to use your own laptop or study in a group setting. If you ever feel yourself having a hard time focusing, you can just walk into the library’s main floor, be in a productive environment and get work done.
Payne Family Native American Center
Every building on campus could be considered, in some way, the most beautiful. But if you ask me, the Payne Family Native American Center makes its beauty the most obvious, and if you’ve been inside, I’m sure you can see why. With a gorgeous two-floor atrium, a basement, and two computer labs far less well-known than the library’s, the Payne Family Native American Center is a premium place to get some work done.
The Payne Family Native American Center is LEED-certified and built to co-exist within its natural environment on campus. This means there's a ton of natural light and an earthly feel that helps me relax and stay focused. It's quiet, but not too quiet, especially on the second floor lined with windows and seating overlooking The Oval.
UC Third Floor
We’re back to the UC for a real secret spot this time. Well, sort of. A lot of students are aware that the University Center has a third floor, but how many have actually been up to see it? Because when I’m up there to study, there’s certainly not a lot of people to share the space with. It’s quiet but not too quiet, well-lit but comfortably dim, and you can see the tops of all the trees in the atrium. It’s a paradise of a study station that’s impossible to get enough of.
Oval chairs
One time I was sitting in one of these chairs and found a really cool ring on the ground. Need I say more?
Yeah, maybe I should. It was a really cool ring though! While I can’t recommend the Oval chairs and hammocks during the colder months, they are an excellent place to kick back and enjoy some sunny weather throughout the spring and fall. You can also use the hammock stands scattered throughout the oval if you prefer a more comfortable arrangement. Though, in my experience, I’m not getting much work done when I’m fighting the urge to take a warm nap. Still worth it.
Empty classrooms
Should I be advising this as a study spot? I don’t know! But nobody’s stopped me so far, so hopefully it goes just as well for you. If nobody’s making use of a classroom and you’re in the mood to get work done in there, I say go for it. Sometimes it’s just the most convenient place to go. Sometimes there’s a room that you just feel like spending some time in, and as long as you’re not in the way of any classes, I’d encourage you to make it happen.
The North Underground Lecture Hall
Do you like the quiet coldness of studying underground? You’re in luck! Just outside of Urey and the North Underground Lecture Hall, there are comfortable chairs and tables for all your studying needs. Sometimes it’s easier to study when there are no distractions, not even any windows to people-watch from.
Residence Hall Study Rooms
Sometimes the best study spots are close to home. UM’s residence halls have the best study rooms just for students who live in that hall! From smaller study rooms for two people, like in Turner, to large lounges with space for group work or friends to join you with your studying endeavors, these spots are tried and true, and just within reach.
The DHC Lounge
The couch-filled DHC lounge is open to any students and provides comfort first. If you’ve had a long day but still have tasks to stay on top of, the comfy and calm atmosphere in the DHC lounge is just what you need to detox from your day. This space is ultimately just what you need for a studying pick-me-up.
Read More: My Experience in the Davidson Honors College Blog
Between Turner and Brantly Hall
Whenever someone thinks of studying outside, they immediately turn to the oval. But if you want a more reclusive and separate area to study while still enjoying the sun’s rays, the green space next to Turner Hall is just what the doctor ordered. Even with its limited number of chairs, this space is great for a picnic-style studying sesh.
Happy studying!
Seth Ryan is a communications major at UM. He loves his dogs, spending time outside in Missoula, writing, and playing Magic: The Gathering! Yep. Just that cool.
