The Top 10 Best Study Locations

It’s the most stressful time of the year — finals week. While every college student is ready for the long-awaited winter break, finals stand in the way. Late nights full of caffeine, a semester’s worth of notes and brain power are all needed to get through the dreaded end of the semester. Who needs sleep when your grades are at stake? 

 If you’re looking for the perfect place to study, Purdue has plenty of options, from quiet to lively. Here are our top 10:

No. 1 - Hicks Undergraduate Library

This underground library, with ample study room space, is open 24 hours, seven days a week. Since opening in 1982, Hicks has provided a place for interactive learning and studying. Hicks hosts three interactive classrooms, study break events specifically for de-stressing and even a computer lab. Feel free to relax in the quiet atmosphere and study away.

No. 2 - 3rd and 4th floors of HSSE

If you simply can’t be bothered, the Humanities, Social Sciences and Education Library in Stewart Center is next on our list for most quiet. This library is open from 8 a.m. to 12 a.m. on most days of the week, except for Saturday when it’s closed. The main floor has plenty of work spaces along with printers, but the biggest draw is the quiet study spaces on the upper floors. The 3rd and 4th floors have group study rooms along with plenty of single workstations to help you study alone in peace. You won’t be bothered here.

No. 3 - Parrish Library in Krannert

Need some group think? Parrish Library of Management & Economics has plenty of collaborative spaces and technology to make it a multifaceted study zone. In 2012, Parrish Library underwent a massive renovation to create an open concept area focusing on collaboration. If you have any group projects, this is the place to go. The library is open 24 hours, five days a week on most days; Krannert students can access the library after hours.

No.4 - Top floor of the Union

The Purdue Memorial Union may seem like a loud space since the main floor hosts a food court, but the top floor is a hidden gold mine of space and silence. While it’s cold outside, sit in a comfy armchair by the fireplace and study to your heart’s content. This space is open seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 12 a.m. Don’t forget, if you have a caffeine emergency, pop by Starbucks on the ground floor for a quick pick-me-up.

No. 5 - Veterinary Medical Library

You don’t have to be enrolled in any veterinary classes to enjoy this quiet study space. The study area located in Lynn Hall has plenty of space to meet any study needs, whether it be group study zones or single workspaces. Observe the quiet atmosphere and you’ll be focused in a flash.

No. 6 - Black Cultural Center Library

The Black Cultural Center Library is located in room 219 of the center. This library is open most days from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. The culture-rich library houses a special collection, computer lab and student collaboration spaces for private studying. Also be sure to check out the art on exhibit!

No. 7 - Top floors of RAWLS

The top floors of Rawls Hall within Krannert School of Management are the perfect spots to relax and get your study on. If you like some background noise while studying, this is the place for you. There’s also plenty of natural light to help you concentrate.

No. 8 - Krach Leadership Center

The Krach Leadership Center is the ideal place for group study and collaboration. This open-plan building was built in 2014 as a hub for collaborative work, with conference rooms, special event areas and student organization space. Krach’s building hours are 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. on weekends. Grab you teammates and ace your next group project by studying here.

No. 9 - WALC

The Wilmeth Active Learning Center opened in 2017 and serves as a central location for classroom and study space. Although this building is large, it is usually packed with students at all times of day and can be rather noisy. This space also hosts the Library of Engineering and Science, Au Bon Pain café and bakery, and a reading room that stays fairly quiet.

No. 10 - The Co-Rec

The liveliest study spot on our list is the France A. Córdova Recreational Center. You may think this location is only for exercising, but you can exercise your mind at some single work stations throughout the building. The open layout and large windows allow for tons of natural lighting, plus you can study hard then conveniently release some steam by working out or attend a wellness class. If you don’t mind the noise, grab a smoothie at Freshëns and study the day away.