By Ashna Balroop 
With the semester concluding, some students are dedicating more time to their studies and staying ahead. The last day of the fall semester is Dec. 9, and final exams are scheduled for Dec. 11 through Dec. 17. 

A good location is a key component to studying productively, according to Northlake Behavioral Health, and the University of Maryland’s over 1,000-acre campus offers many potential study areas for students to use.

Rory Gilmore, a freshman government and politics major, has two study spots—the fourth-floor reading room in McKeldin Library and the Benjamin Building—that she often utilizes to efficiently complete assignments. Gilmore said the atmosphere of a study spot influences her productivity. Regardless of the study area, she usually enjoys a drink while studying to boost her productivity as well. 

“The fourth floor has a very old library vibe, so it makes me feel very studious, and then I like being outside and moving around spots because that keeps me productive,” Gilmore said. “I like to have a drink with me the whole time. If I have a big Starbucks drink, it helps me get my work done.”

Gilmore appreciates studying in different buildings at UMD and has recently found the environment at the Edward St. John Learning and Teaching Center optimal for studying. 

“The bottom floor of ESJ is kind of nice. They have nice tables, so that’s a new spot that I’ve explored,” Gilmore said. 

Saba Teymourlouei, a freshman public health science major, likes to study in a noise-free environment. Unlike Gilmore, Teymourlouei believes that the Edward St. John Learning and Teaching Center is too crowded and advises students to avoid it if they want to be productive.

“Don’t go to ESJ, because ESJ is always full,” Teymourlouei said. “If I need to, like, really focus. I like to go somewhere quiet…Some people don’t know you can go into an empty classroom and study there.” 

Teymourlouei thinks that a great study space is food accessible and has natural sunlight. She also prefers to study on campus than at home.

“Personally, I study better on campus because when I’m at home, I just feel more comfortable to go on my phone,” Teymourlouei said. 

JulieAnne Lynskey, a sophomore enrolled in letters and sciences, takes advantage of the study rooms offered in her off-campus apartment. When Lynskey is on campus, she also studies in the Edward St. John Learning and Teaching Center on less busy days. 

“I do normally come to ESJ, especially on Thursdays and Fridays, it’s a lot less busy,” Lynskey said. “I can normally find a table, and there’s a bunch of little hidden back rooms.” 

Lynskey believes that many academic buildings on campus she visits do not have adequate study areas. 

“A lot of my academic buildings don’t really have great study spots,” Lynskey said. “The chemistry building doesn’t really have a lot of those, [and] neither does the physics building.” 

Although some buildings lack ideal study spaces, Lynskey believes the accessibility of food and beverage options near academic buildings is a positive aspect.

“I definitely enjoy having coffee nearby,” Lynskey said. “Normally, most academic buildings have something near them.” 

Lynskey, an advocate of studying outside, has been able to take advantage of the nicer weather the fall semester has had to offer. 

“A lot of times I’ll carry a towel with me to class so that I can go sit on the lawn and study, because normally, Eduroam will still reach out on [McKeldin Mall],” Lynskey said. “Studying outside makes me feel a lot better, especially when school is getting tough.”

While studying on campus may be difficult because of a lack of study areas, it has still benefited some students. 

“Studying [on campus] holds me more accountable than when I get distracted or start doing other things when I’m at my apartment or when I’m at home,” Lynskey said. “I definitely will come to one of the shared study spaces if I have an important deadline.”

Featured Image: McKeldin Library on a fall day. Photo by Anika Stikeleather.