The 10 Best Places to Study on Simmons’ Academic Campus
If you’re a student at Simmons University then you have likely made the trek between residence campus and academic campus. You’ve hauled your books, your laptop and your water bottle down The Fenway only to arrive at the library and find every table full. Don’t worry; this list has the 10 best places to study on Simmons’ academic campus.
1. The 24 Hour Quiet Room, Beatley Library
For students who can’t deal with background noise or distractions, tap your card into the 24 hour quiet room of Beatley Library. The policy is no phone use, no food, no noise. It makes for a quiet, comfortable space for you to get your work done. The best part is the library doesn’t have to be open in order to access this room. You can tap in at any time, day or night. Perfect for if you’re a night owl who does most of their work while everyone else is asleep.
2. Common Grounds
On the flip side of the coin, Common Grounds is the perfect place for students who need some bustle in the background to stay focused. It’s in the middle of the Main College Building, so it’s almost like the heart of Simmons’ academic campus. It’s a great meeting space if you’re working as a group or meeting up with friends. And with Common Grounds Cafe only a few steps away, and the Fens dining hall right downstairs, it’s the perfect location to study with a snack.
3. Beatley Library, 2nd Floor
So you’re in the library. Let’s say you’ve been here for hours and you just cannot look at your notes anymore. The Netflix tab is too tempting, and before you know it, you’re somehow watching your third episode of Parks and Rec. It happens to the best of us. So when this happens to you, find a comfy chair to sink into and take a well-deserved (or maybe not so well-deserved, we’ve all been there too) break. If you prefer you can face the window and people-watch. If that’s too distracting you can find a spot in the corner and pretend you’re the only person in the world. perfect for getting lost in a book – or a good tv show.
4. Management Building, 5th Floor
This is Simmons’ worst kept secret: if you want a spectacular view of Boston’s skyline, take the elevator to the fifth floor of the Management building. On the terrace, you can gaze at the iconic Simmons tower, the Prudential Tower, and the surrounding buildings to your heart’s content. It also makes a great view for studying, so you can take a seat in the chairs by the window, or reserve a study room, which I’ll also cover on this list!
5. The Student Activities Center
Otherwise known at Simmons as the SAC, the Student Activities Center is the hub for student organizations on campus. There are tables and chairs in the lounge area that make it the perfect place for taking a break between classes or waiting for a meeting with a student org. And no study break is complete without a snack, so it’s a good thing Meyer’s Cafe and the Fens are both a short walk away.
6. Private Study Rooms, Beatley Library/Management Building
For those who might be thinking, yeah so far these spots are cool, but I need somewhere more private to study. You’re in luck – you can reserve a study room! There are study rooms in both the library and the management building, and it’s really easy to reserve one. Go online and select an available room, which you can reserve for up to three hours. It’s perfect if you need to hide away from the world, or you can share the room with a friend!
The cool thing about the study rooms is that most, if not all, are stocked with a whiteboard and a TV, so you can practice presenting or share notes with your study partners. Here’s just one disclaimer: if you want a study room, make sure to reserve one ahead of time. Walk-ins are not so welcome, and there’s nothing worse than having to ask people to leave a room you’ve already reserved.
7. The Comm Lounge
If your major falls under Communications, then you’re likely already familiar with this spot. The newly renovated Communications wing at Simmons features new classrooms, new offices, and new study spaces. The Comm lounge has tables, couches, and a cozy digital fireplace that roars all night (which really adds to the Hogwarts vibe). You can lounge on a couch or work at a table, and if you have a question about an assignment – the Comm professors are right down the hall!
8. Center for Student Success
Another new wing at Simmons, the Center for Student Success houses some of the Simmons organizations such as the Study Abroad office, the Writing Center and the Tutoring Center. So not only can you get homework or essay help while you’re here, but you can also find a space at one of the many corrals or tables.
9. Park Science Building Lobby
Ah, the Park Science building. Infamous among Simmons students for being the ugliest building on campus. But considering so many Simmons students major in STEM, it’s likely you will find yourself here at one point or another, whether it’s for classes or labs or office hours. If so, then you can’t go wrong with making the most of the lobbies on each floor. They’ve got comfy chairs, computers, printers, so hey, if you don’t want to leave, you don’t have to! But let’s be honest – you’ll probably want to.
10. Academic Quad
This suggestion is pretty seasonal. You definitely won’t want to study outside in the winter in Boston. But for these last glorious fall days, why not soak up the sun and admire the foliage from a bench on the quad?
