From classic Firestone to the newly opened Marquand Library, or even the empty classrooms in East Pyne, there’s no shortage of scenic study spots on campus. Yet, the recent weather has led me to ditch the long nights studying far from my dorm and appreciate the residential college libraries. Here’s my ranking, from worst to best study spots.
Butler: Frist Late Meal 2.0
Similar to Yeh and NCW, Butler doesn’t have a library, but it does have Studio 34. The time you go definitely changes your experience. Before the sun sets, Studio 34 is empty and quiet, with many tables and chairs open. However, the walls are too white, giving a sterile feel, and many of the chairs are uneven and rocky. But Studio 34 comes to life between 12 a.m. and 2 a.m. on Wednesdays to Sundays, and it’s the spot to be — if you’re hungry. With many delicious late-night snacks to indulge in, Studio 34 is definitely a feast for your senses. But when you’ve got a food coma, it’s difficult to get much studying done, making Studio 34 the spot to hit when you’re procrastinating and have late-night cravings.
Butler also has study rooms with large tables and plenty of open lighting. However, the wooden seats in Bloomberg were cold and hard, becoming uncomfortable once I hit the one-hour mark. The room also got cold quickly because of its high ceilings and many windows. I personally would’ve rather studied elsewhere. As such, Butler gets last place.
Yeh: Semi-Casual
While Yeh does not have a library, the Grousbeck common room and seminar rooms are good alternatives. As expected from the newest residential college, the open layout of the Grousbeck common room gives a spacious feel, and the bright color scheme keeps the energy up, complementing the modern look unique to the new colleges. Students often play the piano, a nice break from the Lo-Fi or white noise many of us listen to when we work. However, as a result, the common room is often very loud and busy, with people coming and going and the couches hosting conversations rather than calculations.
Many of the square tables are small and uncomfortable to work on at times, and the larger ones are often quickly claimed, leading students to work on the couches — a recipe for a nap. On the other hand, while difficult to snag, the seminar rooms are definitely better to work in, especially for groups, as they have plenty of chairs and desk space. Overall, Yeh has lots of comfortable chairs and great lighting, but its lack of table space and high volume mean it’s not the best for locking in.
Forbes: If you know, you know.
As a Forbesian, it’s natural for me to be fond of the Forbes Library, also known as the “Flib.” In true Forbes fashion, the carpeted floors and run-down lighting add to the library’s dusty feel, but the tall bookshelves and old wooden desks also create a homey ambiance. If you enjoy studying on the C floor, the center has cubicles larger than those at Firestone, plus large storage cabinets to act as dividers. Along the walls, there are wider desks for collaboration, as well as comfortable sofas for power naps. The Flib also has a printer room for both late-night conversations and last-minute printing. But nestled away in the basement, the Flib is so secluded and so far away that it continues to stay a Forbesian spot, putting it in fourth place.
Whitman: Library of Doom and Despair?
Next up is the Whitman Library, or the “Cry-brary.” While infamously dungeon-like, I actually quite enjoy the layout of the library. The desks are a perfect in-between of a cubicle and a common table, and the seats are cushioned and comfortable. With a water fountain and restroom just outside of the library, and a printer inside, the Cry-brary has everything a student needs. However, the lampshades at each desk are a soft green, making the room really dim once the sun sets. The wooden floors and walls add a nice ambience, but the polished surfaces give the space an almost cold and hollow feeling. Additionally, the power outlets in the desk cannot accommodate a typical charging port, and wall outlets are only available to certain desks near the wall, meaning a charging session is a necessity before studying.
During the day, the Cry-brary is empty, allowing for long hours of studying. Once the sun sets, more people begin to trickle in, but there are always ample open desks and seats. The quiet nature of the library, accented with soft typing and scribbling, makes it the perfect place to solo study. People shouldn’t judge the Whitman Library too quickly without checking it out during the day when it’s less like a dungeon.
NCW: The “Better” Sibling
NCW takes all the good aspects of Yeh’s study spaces and elevates them. The most popular attraction is The Coffee Club in Addy Hall. With tall ceilings, comfortable sofas, and bright lighting, the view of Poe Field makes Addy a great space to grab a sip and get some work done. The Coffee Club isn’t the quietest, especially because the staff plays their amazing music, but that’s to be expected in a cafe setting. NCW’s strengths lie in the Kanji common room, though. It’s smaller than the Yeh common room, but with four seminar rooms and an abundance of chairs, it has double the amount of space to work. The chairs are similar to sofas, but the taller cerulean seats have higher tables that match their height. With lots of windows, NCW’s common room is expansive and well-lit. Large screens are available for those who want to talk and study. NCW, with both The Coffee Club and the Kanji common room, offers spaces that are perfect for socializing and cramming. NCW beats Yeh at number two.
Rocky-Mathey: The Classic
Last but not least is the Rocky-Mathey Library. The beautiful coloring of the walls, wide space, stone floors, and nice array of ceiling lighting add to a cozy yet aesthetic atmosphere. The tables are ideal in size, long, and fit a nice number of chairs. Similar to the Cry-brary, there’s a quiet atmosphere, with only a few people selecting the Rocky-Mathey Library as their study spot. Unlike the Cry-brary, the tables are well-lit, reducing the strain on the eyes. There are also couches available with carpet underneath, adding to the homey feel, and a printer. While the Rocky-Mathy library is far for those who live down campus, it’s by no means as isolated as the Flib. It’s the perfect spot to study after a meal at Roma. The Rocky-Mathey Library hence takes the number one spot.
Kate Chun is a writer for The Prospect and part of the Class of 2029. She can be reached at kc6370@princeton.edu.
Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
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