{"id":101762,"date":"2019-08-20T12:10:35","date_gmt":"2019-08-20T10:10:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=101762"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:24:24","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:24:24","slug":"the-best-study-spots-on-campus-and-off-campus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2019\/08\/20\/the-best-study-spots-on-campus-and-off-campus\/","title":{"rendered":"The best study spots on campus (and off campus)"},"content":{"rendered":"

It might not be everyone\u2019s favourite activity, but it is an indispensable part of student life: studying. If you ever wish to get a degree, you will have to do some studying. If you\u2019re having a hard time focusing on your studies due to loud flatmates or siblings who have hit puberty in a big way, you could grab all your things and switch to a library. However, with some 30,000 other students also looking for spots there, finding a good spot (or even a mediocre one) can be a tall order.<\/p>\n

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One of favorite subjects of complaint: a crowded Polak building<\/span><\/p>

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Before wasting a lot of valuable time trying to find a spot in random places, you may wish to download the EUR Study Rooms<\/a>. The app indicates which rooms are available and which may have seats available, thus preventing you from having to go on a wild-goose chase.<\/p>\n

The beloved Polak building<\/h2>

Of course there\u2019s more to life than just the University Library. The Polak Building is popular with students \u2013 both students working alone and students engaging in teamwork. During busy periods, you may encounter long queues at the entrance here, too. Even so, International Economics student Judith and Criminology student Josette prefer doing their studying here. \u201cBasically, we never ever study at home. Also, it\u2019s great to be able to work on a PC, because its monitor is a lot larger than your laptop\u2019s.\u201d It is easy to see why students like working here. After all, it is a well-lit space, with sizeable workspaces and a good number of power points.<\/p>\n

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For his part, Behavioural Economics student Jari likes working in the Polak Building, too, but he also likes the twelfth floor of the Tinbergen Building. \u201cThe study spaces here are often available. For me, this is one of the most pleasant places to work at.\u201d It should be noted that these are silent spaces, as are the study rooms on the thirteenth and fourteenth floors. Groups can work together in specially designated teamwork spaces on the fifth floor.<\/p>\n

Sanders and Mandeville buildings<\/h2>

Other buildings boast excellent study spots, too. For instance, the Sanders Building has study spots on the ground floor. The library here is spacious and comes with a lot of natural light. Unfortunately, the number of seats is limited, so you\u2019ll have to come early to claim a spot here. Another room recommended by Judith and Josette is the BIC room on the fourth floor of the Mandeville Building, which also boasts a very nice cafeteria where students can enjoy snacks and discuss group projects.<\/p>\n

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If the EUR Studyroom app tells you that there are spots available in the V Building and you\u2019re in the mood for something a little out of the ordinary, be sure to go and have a look. The V Building smells like a sawmill and somewhat looks like one, too, but there are classrooms where you can work, as well as freshly brewed coffee. If you\u2019re having difficulty finding a spot here, consider working at the Van der Goot Building instead. The study spots in the lobby don\u2019t look spectacular, but if the combination of grey and purple makes your heart sing, this will be the perfect place for you.<\/p>\n

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The study space in the V-building is divided by partition walls, inside you can work quietly.<\/span><\/p><\/figcaption><\/figure>

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Van der Goot: grey and purple but spacious.<\/span><\/p><\/figcaption><\/figure>

A moment for yourself<\/h2>

If you find yourself getting a little overwhelmed by everything, take a brief break at the Meditation Centre inside the G-Building, which also has many workspaces featuring vintage-looking reddish brown chairs. It\u2019s as if you\u2019re studying in the recreation room of a nursing home in need of a renovation.<\/p>\n

If food and drinks are what you\u2019re after, your best bet is the Food Court, which may also be a good place to do some studying. Because if you\u2019re working hard, you deserve a nice meal, right?<\/p>\n

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If you\u2019re getting fed up with being on campus all the time, you may want to check out the library at Blaak. Just be aware that you will be charged for using its Wi-Fi if you are not a member. You can become a member for \u20ac1 per month. Here, too, things get crowded in the silent rooms during exam periods. Members can reserve study or work rooms, which can be useful during busy times, or if you are doing teamwork. Check out the terms and conditions here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For the early birds<\/h2>

So is it actually impossible to find a study spot in the University Library, then? Not if you show up early. When it\u2019s quiet, European Law and Economics student Bastiaan likes to be in the on-campus library. \u201cIf you want a spot, your best bet is to get here early, when the library opens at 8.00am, or just after lunch.\u201d Jari, too, regularly tries to find a spot at the library. \u201cCheck out the class timetables. Many spots become available when a lecture is about to begin.\u201d And make sure you bring your student ID, because you can be asked to leave the premises if you don\u2019t have one on you.<\/p>\n

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Tyler Nix (Unsplash)<\/span><\/p><\/figcaption><\/figure>

Off the campus<\/h2>

If you ever find that the Woudestein Campus is just too far away for you to cycle all that way, or if you\u2019re in need of better coffee, you may wish to broaden your horizon and try to find that perfect-for-you caf\u00e9 where you can study for hours on end without being asked to leave because you\u2019ve only ordered one single cappuccino. Many students love places such as @Home on Goudsesingel, Hopper on Schiedamse Vest or the Coffee Company branch at Eendrachtsplein. If you wish to be closer to Central Station, consider working at either Lebkov or StationsHuiskamer. The Nationale-Nederlanden Douwe Egberts Caf\u00e9 and Altijd In De Buurt are good places to work, as well. Just remember that these places are restaurants first and foremost, and you may find yourself sitting next to a mother who is having a latte macchiato while her baby is crying in a buggy parked right next to you.<\/p>\n\n\t

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