As midterms approach, it can feel increasingly difficult to find a place to “lock in” (i.e., focus) to study for every exam or work on every project. Sometimes, a change of scenery is what it takes to regain focus when you’re feeling “locked out.” As someone who is almost always on campus, I have created and ranked a list of the top five locations to lock in on and near campus.
5. Panera Bread
Located on Washington Street, Panera is close to campus and has indoor seating options and free Wi-Fi available to customers. If you feel hungry while you’re locking in, you can order a meal or a snack to have while you work.
4. Babbio
Babbio offers a picturesque view and a variety of spaces to lock in. If you are someone who prefers to sit outside while you work, Babbio Patio is the perfect option. If you prefer to study indoors, Babbio offers multiple lounges that are available for student use. The second-floor lounge is very popular and can be a good place to meet up with friends and work together. If you would prefer something quieter, there are also individual desks available in the area where you can work. Additionally, other floors of Babbio have lounges and desks that are free for anyone to use.
3. The UCC
The UCC provides many study spaces to take advantage of. Starting off with the Marketplace, students can grab a meal from the dining locations located in this area and sit down at any of the tables to work while they eat.
Going down a floor to the area outside of Tech Flex and the gym, there are couches and tables available to sit down and lock in. Generally, if there isn’t an event in Tech Flex, this area is pretty quiet, leaving you able to lock in and complete your study goals. The view from the windows is also nice to enjoy while you work.
Moving on to the residential area of the UCC, the Skybridge is an excellent place to lock in. This area has study rooms with whiteboards, seating on both the third and fourth floors, and amenities such as a public restroom, vending machines, and a water fountain.
2. Jefferson’s Coffee
Jefferson’s Coffee has locations both on Washington Street and Madison Street, making it more accessible to those who live in different parts of Hoboken. The Washington Street location in particular is very close to campus, making it a good place to visit right after classes end or a good meeting place if you are studying with friends.
This café has seating available and has numerous food and beverage items. Furthermore, Jefferson’s has inclusive options as well for those with allergies and intolerances. Their menu features alternative milk options such as oat and almond milk and gluten-free pastries. The shop’s inclusivity contributes to it being a great place to meet up with friends and classmates. And, if you are someone who loves a good sweet treat when they work, there are definitely lots of choices available.
1. The Library
Of course, the library is the place to go during midterms. The first floor is a great meeting place for group projects, especially since the tables have plenty of room to spread out. The tutoring center is also located on the first floor, and students can take advantage of the drop-in tutoring sessions that are available.
The second floor is perfect for any group projects or group study sessions. There are plenty of seating options, whiteboards available for use, and study spaces available via reservation.
The third floor of the library is also a good option, especially if you want somewhere quiet to study. While the first and second floors feel more lively, it can feel difficult to drown out the chatter and focus on the task at hand. The third floor offers a silent space for any student to lock in and complete their work.
Although locking in can be a struggle, the campus has so many locations available to do your work. While these were some of my top locations, there are definitely other places on or near campus to work at. Happy studying and good luck with midterms!
