Issue date: 8/17/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Steve Berry Graduate student Sarah Wiszkon studies on the second floor of Lovejoy Library. The library is a favorite study spot for many students, particularly at the end of the semester.

Class, homework, study, repeat. Sometimes college can seem like a never-ending cycle. Maybe it is time to break that routine-not by dropping out, but by finding new places to study.

Lovejoy Library is the obvious first choice, but there are plenty of different places to shake up students' studying routines.

Nature lovers can go out on a limb to study - literally. There are many trees on campus, and a surprising amount have branches just the right height for climbing up into and curling up with a book. Sophomore Lauren Gerber said she likes to read in a tree because it is calming and relaxing.

"It helps me find my Zen," Gerber said.

Students who do not want to go to that extreme to find their Zen might try the Religious Center. There are tables and couches perfect for studying, plus students can enjoy free coffee, tea and hot chocolate and the only Coke machine on campus. An outside seating area with two picnic tables surrounded by shady trees also provides the perfect studying place in nice weather.

If sitting down to study is too idle, students can always hit the Student Fitness Center. The bicycle and elliptical machines are ideal for propping up a textbook to read while getting in shape. Students also use the tables and chairs or sofas in the Student Fitness Center, according to membership secretary Brenda Newton.

"There are always people sitting at tables studying or people in study groups," Newton said.

The Cougar Village Commons, as well as study lounges in the four residence halls, is another way to study. Each place of residence is also equipped with studying resources like computers, printers and tables.

Senior Abby Huston said computers are the main draw to the study area in the Commons.

"I'd say a lot of people take advantage of the computers for studying," Huston said.

The Morris University Center also provides a wide variety of places to study. The Goshen Lounge offers dozens of couches to lounge on and study, and students can also venture upstairs to the computer lab.

And as the day winds down and students are feeling rather sleepy, Starbucks is a studying favorite, as it provides the perfect combination of caffeine and music.

Just try to keep the coffee off of the textbooks.

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