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Study Spots: Off the Beaten Path

Mellon Library Alcove 

By Annie Tao
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Reluctant though I may be to give away my favorite study spot, some secrets are meant for sharing. I know I'm not the only student here who must work without noise or interruptions, yet finds the trek to Firestone too daunting. 

Nestled in the second floor alcove of the Matthew Mellon ’22 Library in Wu Hall lies the Holy Grail of study seclusion. With just eight compact carrels neatly lined up against one another, the upper story of Mellon Library is the perfect place to escape from pesky distractions into the cruel drudgery of one's work. Whether you’re looking to finish up a problem set before dinner or crank out two papers in four hours, the calm, cool silence afforded by this little-known study space creates the perfect environment to settle down and get the job done.

While this alcove is certainly not for the claustrophobe or social butterfly, each of the study carrels is well-equipped with fluorescent lighting and plenty of desk space. The chairs are just comfortable enough to allow for extended hours in the same position, but not comfortable enough that you find yourself falling asleep in them. And if you find yourself scrambling for an outlet, power strips are tucked away underneath the overhang of each desk. Central and easily accessible, the Mellon Library boasts close proximity to several conveniences, including Wilcox and J Street. If you need a study break, recharge by lounging around in Wilcox Commons or playing a game of ping pong downstairs.

The upper story of the Mellon Library offers the best of both worlds, combining all the quiet solitude of Firestone with all the comforting amenities of Frist or your dorm room. Its overall functionality, relative obscurity and convenient location make this study spot ideal for any and all kinds of work.

Infini-T

By Lakshmi Davey

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If, like me, you hate working in libraries or anywhere else too quiet, studying can become stressful just in finding a place to get work done — Small World is too crowded, Frist too loud, etc. Thankfully, I found my ideal study spot in Infini-T Cafe and Spice Souk, the underground cafe on Hulfish Street.

Infini-T has an extensive tea menu as well as the usual coffees and truly authentic chai. It also has snacks and larger meals to keep your energy fueled during a midterm paper-writing scramble. Infini-T's menu can range on the pricey side, but features regular specials like Happy Hour, when all drinks are half-off.

What ultimately makes Infini-T such a great study spot is its funky vibe. Perhaps it’s the quirky people that frequent it, or maybe it’s the eclectic decor — the cafe is filled with exotic scarves and clay pots, and its furniture is delightfully mismatched — but something about the place gives off a sense of calm. Its soothing atmosphere is something that is sorely needed when the entirety of campus is covered in a massive forcefield of stress. So come sit, drink tea and join the growing population of Princeton students discovering the wonderful study spot that lies just outside our gates.

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