Looking for a place to study, do homework or read your textbooks (because we totally read the assigned readings) that will get you away from your cramped dorm room? Here are a few great places to go on campus to cram for any exam.

The library

Okay, this is a no brainer, but there are a few places in the library that are better than others.

The fourth and top floor of the library feels more like what I imagine a conference room at Google or Buzzfeed would be like. Couches, desks and a great view of central campus through a wall of windows.

The sitting room outside of Bookends café is the perfect place if you concentrate better when there’s a lot going on around you. There’s a constant flow of sleep-deprived students in and out of Bookends to get their morning/afternoon/evening caffeine.

If you prefer absolute silence and privacy, head on up to the tiers. The individual desks with walls on either side allows for zero distractions. It can get pretty hot up there though, so prepare for that. 

Lagomarcino Hall

Often referred to simply as Lago, this building is dedicated to the psychology and education departments. It’s also home to a beautiful courtyard, where you can lie in the grass, sit on benches or work at a shaded table while also enjoying the great outdoors (AKA tanning).

Inside of Lago is the Courtyard Café. Grab a bite to eat and a coffee and curl up in one of their leather chairs between classes. These chairs are prime studying real estate so you might have to wait a while before someone relinquishes their spot.

Gerdin Hall

Home to business majors, Gerdin also holds a café with larger tables which are perfect for group projects or just taking up a lot of space with all of your notes.

But the best place in Gerdin to study are kind of hidden. In the hallways next to the stairs, there are small alcoves with couches, plugins and coffee tables. Again, if you prefer to be completely alone while studying, this is a good place for you. Also a great place for naps.

Fountain of Four Seasons

That giant fountain outside of the North side of the Memorial Union has a name, who knew? This is the perfect place to sit and read your required readings (again, because we definitely do that) and eat lunch from the food court just inside the MU with the sounds of the fountain and campus in the background. There’s also a great view of the campanile here as well.

Central campus

If you have a hammock, you can tie it up to the trees on central campus and hang out (see what I did there) for hours reading, writing or maybe – definitely – napping. If you don’t have a hammock, bring a blanket and lay it out on the grass. Keep an eye out for games of Frisbee or football and relax in the sun. The campanile often plays songs with the bells so take a break from your Spotify playlist to appreciate the sounds of Iowa State. The steps of Curtis and Beardshear are also nice to sit and people watch.

These are just a few of the beautiful studying spots on campus. Iowa State is a large campus and there are so many perfect study spots that are waiting for you to find them. Explore the buildings that your classes are in and take different routes while walking to class; you never know what you’ll find!

Happy studying.