Looking back on my freshman and sophomore years, I can confidently say Bishop Quad was a great place to live. It was undoubtedly a great environment for making new friends and studying for my classes but as most of us Scarlet Knights know, finding the perfect study spot at Rutgers can be really tough. Deciding on the perfect place also depends on who you are and what vibe you’re looking for. Home to many of Rutgers Living-Learning Communities, Bishop Quad is conveniently located centrally on the College Avenue campus. After countless of hours of studying around this area, I have cultivated a list of the best places to study. This list will start right at home and then take you to my personal favorite places around campus. Do you want the best grades? Then this list is for you!

Leupp Lounge (a.k.a. Harry Potter Lounge)

If you live in Bishop Quad, there is, what we called, the “Harry Potter Lounge,” located on the first floor of the Leupp building. The lounge has a wooden interior as well as a fireplace that gives most people Hogwarts vibes. Everybody from Bishop Quad is welcomed to study there and while I lived there, it was definitely my all time favorite place to study.

Fireside Lounge

If the Harry Potter Lounge isn’t your cup of your Butterbeer, the Fireside Lounge is right down the stairs. Cozy and spacious, this lounge has tons of tables and comfortable chairs available for any size study group. Vending machines are available if you need a quick snack or refreshment. Alternatively, when people aren’t deep in studying-mode, this lounge has ping-pong and pool tables for study breaks.

Raritan River Lounge

Across the street from Bishop Quad, an underrated place to study is the Raritan River lounge located inside of the Student Activities Center (SAC). Being able to see the Raritan River in all its glory can give anyone the flowing inspiration needed to finish their assignment or paper. In the event you have to run to class or a meeting with a professor, the SAC doubles as a very convenient bus stop that connects you to all other campuses.

Red Lion Cafe

Located in the lower level of College Avenue Student center, Red Lion Cafe is an often unknown study spot on campus. When there’s no special events happening in this space, it’s (usually) a quiet oasis in a busy student center. If you’re like me and need a snack every 15 minutes, you are located in the center of Wendy’s, Gerlanda’s, King Pita, Subway, and Currito. Personally, I always go for Wendy’s “4 for 4” accompanied by their delicious Frosty to drink. But if you just need a quick pick-me-up, I highly recommend Gerlanda’s daily blend of house coffee.

Source: https://libguides.rutgers.edu/eventsandexhibits/buehlerandvaldes
Art Library

Sometimes you just want to get farther away from your room. Most possibly the greatest library, the Art Library can be found by a walk down George Street (or a bus ride down College Avenue if you’re feeling lazy) and around the corner from Zimmerli Art museum. Though Alex Library is a little closer, sometimes it gets really crowded and becomes impossible to find a seat. Comparably, studying around the Art Library’s beautiful art and sculptures can definitely enhance your creative flow. Plus, to enjoy a quick study break, there is always a supply of arts & crafts and legos. What’s more fun than that?

You can thank me later when you finesse an A in that really hard class after studying in one of these spots. Is your favorite study spot missing from this list? Take a photo and tag @rutgersreslife and #RUonCampus on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook and we’ll share our favorites!

The Cook and Douglass campuses (affectionately referred to as ‘Cook-Doug’) are often dubbed the more scenic campuses here at Rutgers. Home to many Rutgers historical buildings, the Cook/Douglass joint campuses have served as the study spot for decades of successful students. Known for its earthy spaces like the Rutgers Farm, these joint campuses have a great variety of thought-provoking and inspiring spaces for any major. Deciding on the perfect study spot mostly depends on who you are and what vibe best suits you. With some research and speaking with a few Cook-Doug natives, I have compiled a list of the most underrated places to study on Cook/Douglass. Do you want the best grades? Then this list is for you!

http://www.farewell-architects.com/mortensen-hall-rutgers-university

Cafe 52 (Mortensen Hall)

Cafe 52 is located in Robert E. Mortensen Hall, a facility within the Mason Gross Performing Arts Center, on the Douglass Campus. If you’re looking for a quiet and charming place to study, Cafe 52 is the spot! Serving coffee and sandwiches, it is a frequented grab-and-go venue of Mason Gross School of the Arts students. The cafe’s art and culture creates a great study vibe and is especially convenient for New Gibbons residents right across the street! In addition to sandwiches and coffee, they also serve wraps, salads, and snacks (check out their full menu here). Opening at 8:30 a.m., Cafe 52 is a great spot for early birds but be sure to wrap-up your study session as the cafe closes after the lunch-rush. Bonus: the cafe houses a mural painted by famous artist, Stephen Westfall that will surely give you the inspiration to jumpstart any assignment!  

New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition, and Health Building (IFNH)

A quick stroll from Woodbury Bunting-Cobb residence hall, the IFNH building houses Harvest Cafe which offers a great assortment of healthy foods. You can use your meal swipes towards a hot or cold meal or even a vitamin-packed smoothie. Take a seat right next to the living plant wall — a great place for optimal studying as you breathe in the fresh air from the 5,200 plants of 46 different species. “(Living walls) create biodiversity, improve air quality, they can filter water and act as a bio-filter, so they’re an interesting way of solving problems,” Michael Coraggio said, according to American Farm Publications (check out more here). While you’re there, take some fresh Instagram pictures during your study breaks. With an open, food court vibe, this space is optimal for group study sessions. 

Jameson Hall

If you live in Jameson Hall, there are beautiful and comfortable lounges for you to study in. Jameson Hall is comprised of several connected buildings for you to find the perfect nook to study in. Having a friend who lives in in this residence hall can be a really clutch thing to have during the upcoming midterm season. An all-women residence hall built for Douglass Residential College students in 1927, Jameson Hall’s history and charm will definitely get you in the studying spirit. If you’re looking for a more modern feel, Jameson G, also known as the Ludwig Building, is the most modern addition to the Jameson courtyard. Built in 2016, this new building has several technologically-equipped learning spaces which include cord-free display features to screen-cast your laptop to the large, digital display televisions. This is great for group presentations, studying, and meetings. 

Cook Student Center

The Cook Student Center (otherwise known as the CSC) includes many different areas for students to eat, relax, and study. The first floor of the CSC is home to to Cook Cafe, a place with some delicious eats. It is often frequented by nearby Newell and Starkey apartment residents and if you’re really lucky, a seeing-eye puppy in-training may make an appearance! An unknown study spot of the CSC is the second floor. There you can find a dedicated, enclosed quiet space. Take a quick study break and play in the center’s game area which has an air hockey table, a pool table, and a ping pong table.

Mabel Smith Douglass Library

Next to the Voorhees Chapel is the Mabel Smith Douglass Library, a great and quiet place to study. It has cozy chairs and spacious tables for your upcoming study session. This library has warm, natural lighting which creates a very relaxed spot for you to get in-the-zone. Many students look out on the picturesque ravine behind the library or the fields, trees, and the historic buildings of Douglass Campus. The library houses three group study rooms ranging from five to 10 seats (first-come, first-served basis, unless reserved). My favorite cozy study spot is the downstairs area, right next to the library’s impressive record collection. What many students don’t know is that you can reserve quiet, private study rooms in all libraries across all five campuses; visit the reservation site here.

Passion Puddle

If you want to take advantage of some nice weather, step outside and study at Passion Puddle. Passion Puddle is located right next to the Red Oak Lane bus stop and is beautiful any season of the year. Make sure to pack a blanket, your laptop fully charged, and your camera to take pics of this iconic Rutgers location (as it has its own Snapchat geotag). There is a legend behind its beauty which says that if two lovebirds hold hands and walk around passion puddle three times, they will then live happily ever after… but with or without a significant other, this is a great place to soak up the sun and get your study on!

The Busch Campus is often dubbed by students as the S.T.E.M. campus here at Rutgers. Home to many Rutgers research buildings, the Busch campus has served as the study spot for many savvy students. Known for its science and math spaces, Busch campus has a great variety of thought-provoking and inspiring spaces for any major. Deciding on the perfect study spot mostly depends on who you are and what vibe best suits you. With some research and speaking with a few Busch natives, I have compiled a list of the most underrated places to study on Busch. Do you want the best grades? Then this list is for you!

Richard Weeks Hall of Engineering 

The Richard Weeks Hall of Engineering is the most modern building on Busch Campus, the newest tribute to the engineering and science of community on campus. The building includes impressive collaborative classrooms, advanced workspaces, remarkable laboratories, and dedicated students spaces. The Hall of Engineering is actually the first building at Rutgers to be named after an alumni, Richard Weeks. Richard Weeks graduated from Rutgers in 1950 and later in his career became a leader in marine construction. If you’re looking for an inspiring and intellectual place to study, check out the new engineering building!

Paul Robeson Center

A quick stroll from the Busch Student Center, the Paul Robeson Center offers a great place where students can connect with one another. In 1919 Paul Robeson graduated from Rutgers as his classes’ Valedictorian. Not only studious, Robeson was multi-talented as a Rutgers football athlete and later in his career becoming a singer, actor, and global activist. The center honors and is inspired by the exemplary life of Paul Robeson. Be sure to stop by the Paul Robeson Center as they host thought provoking cultural events throughout the school year.

Woody’s Cafe

Woody’s Cafe is located in the Kessler Teaching Building on campus and acts as the medical school’s cafeteria, but is luckily open to all Rutgers students. You can use your meal swipes towards a hot or cold meal or even a vitamin-packed smoothie. My personal fave is using meal swipes throughout the year for countless amounts of ice cream and muffins, arguably the breakfast of champions. With an open, food court vibe, this space is great to hang out or study.

B.E.S.T. Hall

If you live in B.E.S.T. Hall, there are engaging lounges for you to study in. B.E.S.T. actually stands for Busch, Engineering, Science, and Technology and holds some of the brightest students on Busch campus. B.E.S.T. Hall has a spacious lounge/study space with bountiful cozy chairs and tables. Not only does B.E.S.T. Hall have comfortable living spaces for students but also has a dedicated computer lab for all students. You are sure to find the perfect nook to study in. Having a friend who lives in in this residence hall can be a really clutch thing to have during the upcoming finals season. A dedicated residence hall where many engineering, science, and pharmacy students live, B.E.S.T. Hall’s aesthetic and charm will definitely get you in the studying spirit. *Drum roll* it really is the best place to study. Consider having your next study session with your B.E.S.T. Hall friends.

Busch Student Center

Busch Student Center: (otherwise known as the BSC) includes many different areas for students to eat, relax, and study. Conveniently located in the campus center are Szechwan Ichiban, Moe’s, Panera Bread, Gerlanda’s; all delicious places to eat. In Busch student center there is also the International Students Lounge and The Cove—both great comfortable lounges you can study in or even host your student org meeting. The campus center throughout the year also holds different fantastic events, including the AACC’s Annual PALNY event and multiple job fairs, so be sure to stop by the BSC soon!

Science and Engineering Resource Center (SERC)

If you want to take advantage of the brilliant community on Busch campus, be sure to stop by the Science and Engineering Resource Center (otherwise known as the SERC). The SERC has multiple study lounges and reading rooms for students to work and collaborate with one of another. Whether you’re trying to solve difficult mathematical equations or invent new tech be sure to check out the SERC next time you’re on Busch campus.

The Livingston Campus, in my humble opinion, is the most fun campus here at Rutgers. Oftentimes dubbed as “Livi”, Livingston Campus is not only filled with great learning environments, but also has great restaurants and entertainment like Henry’s Diner and the Rutgers Athletic Center (RAC). Livi has a great variety of thought-provoking and inspiring spaces for any major. Deciding on the perfect study spot mostly depends on who you are and what vibe best suits you. With some research and speaking with a few Livi natives, I have compiled a list of the most underrated places to study at on this modern campus. Do you want the best grades? Then this list is for you!

Livingston Student Center

The Livingston Student Center (LSC), located across the street from the Lynton Towers Residence Hall, includes many different areas for students to eat, relax, and study. There are so many nooks and crannies for students to set up for any type of study session. My personal favorite spot to study in the LSC is on the second floor and, if you really need to focus, the sky bridge connecting the LSC and the Livingston Dining Hall is a great, comfortable, and quiet place to study in. Another great reason why the LSC is a great place to spend time in are the eating options (find out which ones take Meal Swipes). Conveniently located in the center of the LSC are Dunkin Donuts, Sbarro, and Rock Café – which is my personal favorite place to eat. The LSC also holds different fantastic events throughout the year, so be sure to stop by soon!

Asian American Cultural Center 

A personal favorite place of mine to study is the Asian American Cultural Center, also known as the AACC. Tucked between the LSC and the Livingston Gym is this resourceful cultural center. The AACC offers a great, comfortable place to study and hangout. It also hosts many different great cultural events where student can connect with one another. Be sure to stop by the AACC and check out their website, as they host thought-provoking events throughout the school year.

Rutgers Business School

The Rutgers Business School (RBS) has a state-of-the-art business building which is affectionately nicknamed “100 Rock” because of its address: 100 Rockafeller Road. This modern and fairly new (est. 2013) building houses faculty offices and lecture halls for the graduate and undergraduate business programs here at Rutgers–New Brunswick. The great thing about RBS is that you don’t have to be a part of the business program to take advantage of its great facilities and resources. The impressive glass building includes impressive collaborative classrooms, technology centers, advanced workspaces, and dedicated student spaces. If you’re looking for a bright and comfortable place to study in within a 143,000-square-foot space, check out the business building!

Livingston Plaza

Livingston Plaza is home to the Livingston Apartments and the multiple fantastic restaurants and stores on campus. Livingston Plaza is a lovely place to study outside. Also if you live in the Livingston Apartments, there are charming lounges for you to study in which you are sure to find the perfect nook to study in. No matter if you’re studying in Livingston Apartments A, B, or C, there are convenient places surrounding the apartments like Starbucks, Kilmer’s Market, Qdoba Mexican Grill, Hoja Asian Fusion, Henry’s Diner, and 16 Handles. A quick study break snack is not far when you’re studying in the Livi Apartments. Need a charger or maybe a pair of headphones? Kite+Key, Rutgers’ own tech store, offers all of your technology needs and repairs! Having a friend who lives in these residential apartments can be a really clutch thing to have during the upcoming finals season.

Have some fun!

Hey—you’ve been studying mad hard, you deserve a break! Close your laptop and have some fun either in the Rutgers Zone or the Rutgers Cinema. The Rutgers Zone, located in the LSC, has a huge 93-in. TV to watch your favorite show or sports game. There’s also skeeball, pool, and basketball to play with friends. The Rutgers Cinema is a legitimate movie theater which has the newest and best movies at a discounted price for students. Both are great places to relax and have a good time after a long study session.