Whether we hate it or love it, studying is an inevitability that students must face during their college careers.
ETSU offers some interesting and sometimes unorthodox places for students to sharpen their intellectual tools.
Some students flock to the library, while others flock to the more obscure nooks and crannies of this historic campus.
“I’m usually in the library’s group study rooms at least once a day,” said graduate student Tyler Schrichte. “Though the term group is a bit of an overstatement, the rooms are usually only big enough for one or two people if you’re lucky.”
Music students tend to stay within the confines of Mathes Hall to do their studying. The top floor has several practice rooms that are equipped with computers and electric pianos that afford students an opportunity to quickly finish homework or practice for an upcoming recital.
Another issue students found in Mathes Hall and the library was occupancy; students either have to wait for a room or go elsewhere.
“If I can’t find an open group room in the library, I will just take my laptop to a free area,” Schrichte continued. “The new chairs on the first floor of the library really provided more space for people to gather and study.”
Additionally, some students found the D.P. Culp University Center to be helpful in offering a space to study. There are multiple couches and chairs on the first level adjacent to the auditorium, and students can casually meet to discuss upcoming assignments.
“Studying in the Cave is pretty much a no-go, unless you have big, noise-blocking headphones,” Schrichte said. “It’s a fun place to go for social meetings and gatherings – especially now that people are having Super Smash Brothers Tournaments on the televisions, but it’s not exactly ideal for studying.”
Quietness seemed to be an obvious factor in where students chose to study, but others expressed that they like to study outside when it’s nice.
“When there is a nice breeze, a bearable amount of sunlight and the sound of beautiful birds chirping, the outdoors can be the perfect place to sit down and study,” Schrichte said. “Sometimes I will go to the Amphitheater outside of the Culp Center or I will sit at the clock tower. The university has built in seating and comfortable canopies of trees, which can be a great atmosphere to study and do homework. I just hope they don’t cut down any more trees on campus because it really helps to enhance the learning environment.”
All in all, students felt the study spots the university currently offers are great and accommodating. However, some wish there were more spaces to study, especially with the increase in student enrollment.
