Pitt students reveal favorite on-campus study locations

As finals week kicks off, students disperse around Pitt’s campus to crack open their books,… As finals week kicks off, students disperse around Pitt’s campus to crack open their books, cram knowledge into their minds and commit themselves to pages of paper writing.

With preferences for academic study spaces ranging across the board from preferred volume to accessibility, The Pitt News set out to talk to students about the best study spots. This is what Pitt students had to say:

1. Cup & Chaucer on the ground floor of the Hillman Library

Junior Yeong Seon Han said that the laid-back cafe atmosphere suits her talkative personality.

“I don’t want to say that I am loud,” said the biological sciences major. “But I am definitely not a quiet person. And I like that at the ground floor, I don’t have to worry about being careful, even when I am just turning pages of books.”

Han also pointed out that during finals week, the cafe occasionally gives out free pastries and coffee — a definite bonus.

2. The Hillman Library, second floor

Junior Cassie Park, a history major, goes to the second floor of the Hillman Library to confine herself to a single-person desk when it’s time to buckle down for finals.

“It’s quiet and calm. It has everything I need: personal bookshelves, light and an outlet for my laptop charger,” she said.

Unlike the ground floor, which can get rowdy, Park appreciates the second floor’s lack of distractions. She goes to a desk by the window to tackle her courseload.

“It’s nice to have windows, so I don’t feel trapped, especially when it’s sunny outside,” she said. “It can get lonely sometimes, so it’s nice to bring a buddy so they can watch your stuff when you need to print, grab a coffee or go to the bathroom.”

3. The Cathedral of Learning

Grace Kim, a freshman biology major, said that she thinks the ambience of the Cathedral of Learning puts her in the perfect mood for focusing on finals.

“It’s not too loud, and it’s not too quiet,” she said. “And the [dim lighting] has a soothing effect.”

Since it’s at a relatively central location on campus, Kim said that the building is ideal to stop at between classes to cram for a couple of hours.

With the Cathedral Cafe on location, she said she likes how easy it is to grab some brain food to snack on as she prepares for finals.

4. Posvar Hall

Sophomore Annie Zhang, a communications and anthropology major, goes to Posvar Hall when she wants to meet with a couple of her peers for a study session.

“Posvar is good for group settings,” Zhang said. “There are a lot of empty rooms available after hours.”

Students who want to do communal cramming need only find a room and put a paper on a doorknob to establish their reservation. In an enclosed room, students have an excellent location for group discussions and partner work.

A number of tables are also dispersed around the building for student use.

5. Outside of Market To-Go in Litchfield Towers

Sophomore Andrew Khoo, a chemistry major, said that Market To-Go is a flexible study environment — if the studier can get past the noise.

“There is plenty of space, and you can manipulate the tables to accommodate more people if necessary,” Khoo said.

He suggested that students concerned about the noise of televisions and other students go between meal times, when it is much quieter.

6. William Pitt Union, fifth floor

Sophomore Bao Nguyen was leaving the dance studio on the fifth floor of the Union when he discovered the perfect study place, including walls covered with outlets, several tables and absolute seclusion.

“As long as there are no events going on on the fifth floor, it’s a nice place,” said the economics and anthropology major. “It’s very quiet and secret.”