Guest blog post by Phoebe Lee (Master’s student, Higher Education)
As midterms and final assignments begin to pile up, so do study spaces across campus. Fortunately, there are many study spots that include group study spaces, private rooms, as well as individual study spaces specifically for grad students.
Here is a curated list of places and libraries - some of these spaces are open to all students, and some of them are for graduate students only. If you’d like to know which library is best for you, this article shows which libraries are silent study, accessible, have outlet access, and so on. As a reminder, some study spaces are located in a building that belongs to another faculty, so you will encounter students from that specific faculty working hard on their projects. Please be mindful of their faculty-specific rules, and accommodate any rules accordingly.
In addition, there are study spaces mentioned here that require your absolute silence. The designated silent spots depend on your cooperation. Please remember to be considerate and respect the rules set by the libraries, out of respect for your fellow students.
Here is a tiered list of the most bizarre places to study to the best spots on campus.
- Bizarre places to study
- Passably good places to study
- Best places to study to study
- Bonus Spots: Mindful spaces for relaxation to study
Tier: Bizarre places to study
The Nest
Although you may see many students “attempt” to study and work here, the Nest is a hub for activity and noise: very crowded, loud and perfect place for people-watching. There are a few cafes and food stalls, which makes this a traffic-heavy and noisy space. Good to grab food and hangout as a stopover before studying somewhere else. Most of the spaces in the AMS Nest are for hanging out, instead of studying. Many student events also happen here (sometimes with free food), so be sure to keep an eye out.
Life Building
According to the Ubyssey article on the worst study spots on campus, the Life Building is kindly referred to as the “death building.” While I do not share this dramatic opinion on the Life Building, it is a building surrounded by constant construction and a particularly busy spot. It is difficult to get a spot here, since it is right by the bus loop. The lines for this particular Starbucks are also quite long, so I would not recommend lining up for 10 minutes to order a drink. The chairs are also not built for comfort. The Life Building is a place for wellness, as it is the location for many student services offices (such as International Student Advising as well as Go Global), and the Fitness Centre. Much like other spots on this tier, a great place to hang out and participate in not study-related activities.
Figure 1: UBC Life Building Student Services Offices
Campus Starbucks
Starbucks are very busy places. Enough said about this city’s obsession with this green siren’s call for caffeinated drinks. Maybe someone should write a sociology paper investigating the Vancouverite’s obsession with Starbucks intersecting with the values of consumerism. It is difficult to line up to buy a drink, let alone find a spot to sit down, charge your devices, and focus. This pains me to say as a huge consumer of Starbucks drinks, but this does not have the best ambience for work purposes.
Irving K. Barber Learning Centre and Chapman Learning Commons areas
Following an interesting naming tradition, the Irving K Barber Learning Centre (or if you have noticed, what students call the IKB) is actually a library building. There are a few good spaces in the building, namely the upper floors and tables, that could be good for studying. There is also a standing study desk that is attached to a treadmill, so that would be good for more kinesthetic-based learners. The Chapman Learning Commons (part of the IKB building) also offers many specific spaces that are sectioned off as spaces for you to study. Additionally, the IKB is a massive building that offers a variety of study spaces, including desktop computers and printers that you can use. There are many parts of the library that are different from each other, and if you have the time, great to explore to find a spot that works for you.
The only downside is that the IKB is also a place for major traffic, since this is one of the two major libraries on campus. You will be hard pressed to find any sitting spots during midterms or finals season. The IKB is also particularly popular with undergraduate students, who you can easily spot sitting on the stairs in particular. I suggest avoiding studying on the stairs or on the floors, and enter the IKB during finals season at your own peril.
Figure 2: The Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, this is the Chapman Learning Commons, the original part of the library built in the 1920s. A very busy place that fills up quickly. Also home to many student and library services such as the writing centre.
Tier: Passably good places to study
Coffee shops on campus
Starbucks aside, there are plenty of independent places on campus to satisfy your caffeine urges. Most cafés become a bit busy during the day, but it’s also fairly easy to find a spot to sit and study, especially if you are willing to sit outside. I like to find a café that is close to a greenspace, so you can take walking and stretching breaks around the greenery during your study breaks. The only downside is that some cafés crowd very quickly, and some are located quite faraway from most classrooms and faculty buildings. Remember to be flexible with your location choices.
Student common areas and classrooms
There are many student lounges or common areas that double both as places to hangout and study. For example, the Buchanan Block B student lounge is intended as a study space, with many tables and electronic outlets for devices. The only downside is that most student lounges tend to be quite noisy, so it is up to you if you want a space to chat with other students or not. Empty classrooms can also double as a good study space; however, we do not have access to class schedules. Please be mindful and accommodating to instructors, staff, and students accordingly, and be respectful when asked to leave a classroom for an upcoming class. Otherwise, classrooms are always good for group work sessions. Fortunately, there is a graduate students only common area, which is the Graduate Student Society Loft, located on the upper floors of the Nest. This is a space for graduate students only, where there is plenty of natural light, kettles, and tables for you. Please note that this is a lounge, and not exactly a silent study space, so it can be loud and a bit busy at times.
Figure 3: Buchanan B Study Lounge Second Floor Lounge (left) and Third Floor Lounge (right)
Woodward Library
UBC’s Woodward Library is mainly catered to students in the Sciences. It contains the largest collection of scientific research in Western Canada. There are many large glass windows in the front that is good for natural lighting, and it also has a large collection of natural science subjects on campus. A downside is that being built 50 years ago, there is a lack of electronic outlets for your devices. However, it looks like a fairly quiet place to study with other people, and seems popular with students looking for a group study space. The Charles Woodward Memorial Room has exhibitions dedicated to the founding scientists of UBC, which also doubles as a silent study space. I did notice that there is a feedback/advice bulletin for the library, and a student wrote “Woodward Library is always very vibey, especially when I study in the basement.” I will let you all be the judge of that, since the basement is by all accounts a nice space to study, with bookable spaces and carrels for student use.
Figure 4: Charles Woodward Memorial Room
Figure 5: Woodward Library entrance with natural light
The Koerner Library
This is one of the largest libraries on campus next to the IKB, and is usually bustling with students. Did you know that the Koerner Library is supposed to resemble a hardcover book, placed page side down, with the spine facing up? I like to remind everyone of this fact, every time I venture past this library with a classmate. Koerner is actually built on the ruins of the Sedgwick Library, that existed before 1998. In addition, Koerner has a good mix of independent as well as group study spaces. If you are lucky, you might be able to snag a cubicle by the window to lock yourself into and study the day away with some natural light. The Koerner Library is also home to many student services, such as a Thesis writing consultation centre, which also helps you with research as well.
Figure 6: Koerner Library is an upside down book.
Education Library
Located relatively in the centre of campus, the Education Library is home to archives dedicated to Education-related studies. The library can be a little difficult to navigate, since it is located inside the unsuspecting Scarfe Building. The only note is that this library takes “silence” very seriously in its study spaces, so please be aware of that. There are also cubicles (my personal favourite type of desk to study in), as well as a corridor (a popular group study spot) that offers natural light as a part of your studying. The library has a good distribution of both silent spaces and group study spaces. There are also many electric outlets on the desks, and computers that you can use for printing or work, so definitely remember this if you require specific printing. Bonus points if you are able to find the little courtyard where you can work and study on a sunny day.
Figure 7: Education Library group study space
Figure 8: Education Library silent study space
Asian Library
This library is in a nice spot tucked away on campus, near the Nitobe Gardens. This is a library that receives fewer foot traffic, which contributes to its Zen ambience. The roof offers a nice source of skylight, and was actually imported from the World Exposition of 1970 from Osaka. This library is relatively quiet, despite its lack of quiet or silent areas, so you can quietly chat to your classmates and friends while working together. This is also home to studies and archives dedicated to Asian culture, literature, and heritage. Since it is located in a relatively quiet part of campus, I also recommend strolling to the nearby Nitobe Gardens, or the area of trees near the Liu Institute (home of the Asian Studies Department and one of the most sustainable buildings on campus) as a place to study and relax amongst nature. This can also be a good place for you to relax with classmates and friends. Overall, this is a very Zen part of campus, and in my opinion, this also doubles as a place for meditation and relaxation in between classes, which is why I placed it on the higher end of this tier.
Figure 9: Asian Library skylight (top) and the Asian Library in spring, showcasing an Asian-style of architecture
Top Tier: Best places to study
Faculty-specific and position-specific study spaces
The purpose of these commons are for students to gather around and study with each other, therefore, there are many rooms and spaces that could be used for studying. Many faculty buildings are only known to students of that program, which makes these spaces less busy. Depending on the faculty, there are usually faculty-specific rooms that are set aside to study and work in (of course it is open to the public, but only really used by students who know of it). Please check with your faculty administration and see if there are any specific space for you in your faculty building. Additionally, there could be study spaces and offices that come with positions. For instance, depending on the faculty, Teaching Assistants (TAs), Research Assistants (RAs), and Graduate Academic Assistants (GAAs) may be entitled to an office space for their office hours. Please check with your administration to make sure you have access to these office spaces for studying. The Graduate Student Society Loft in the Nest is also a space only reserved for graduate students only. There are board games, kettles, and study spaces for students to enjoy. The loft is also a place for various events, such as games night hosted by the Graduate Student Society (GSS). It also offers natural lighting on the top floor of the Nest, and can be a bookable space for both events and studying. It is only accessible for graduate students, so your UBC student card is required.
Figure 10: Graduate Student Society Loft event space
Figure 13: Graduate Student Society bookable study room
Bookable research spaces and silent study
There are many bookable rooms on campus that you should take advantage of. In fact, many of these rooms are reserved only for graduate students and staff members. In Koerner, the rooms on the fourth and fifth floor are bookable and reserved for research-related purposes only, and whiteboards (and markers) as well as AV equipment are included in these rooms. When booking these research rooms, remember to choose “Research Commons” as the location, since these are different from other study rooms in Koerner Library. The IKB also has many silent study rooms that you can take advantage of and book for your studies. You can lock yourself in a room for the afternoon, potentially with your group mates, as you tearfully figure out your presentations or for other assignments. The best part about these private bookable rooms will help you avoid the busy crowds of IKB especially.
Figure 11: Koerner Research Commons with desktop for you to use
Figure 12: Bookable research group project room in Koerner Library
Graduate Life Centre
An on-campus hub located in the same building as the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Office near the UBC Rose Garden, the Graduate Life Centre (GLC) is a place where graduate students are invited to relax or work on their projects. Opening soon in 2024, the Graduate Life Centre is the newest space on campus for graduate students with locked doors that only open to grad student UBCCards. There are many tables and large windows that offer natural light and a good view of surrounding buildings. Equipped with a kitchen with refrigerators, microwaves, and a sink a common space with a fireplace, and an area for kids to play games, the GLC is the perfect place to cozy up while you’re writing!
Bonus Spots: Mindful spaces for relaxation
The Rose Garden
The Rose Garden is located at the end of the Main Mall and another popular scenic view on campus. During my time as a campus tour guide, this was always one of the highlights of the tour, especially as a spot for group photos. The Rose Garden boasts a large variety of roses, which is especially beautiful in the summer months. The view here is spectacular, and offers a combined scene of roses in bloom and the Ocean. The only downside is that as the weather becomes colder and rainier, it might be difficult to enjoy the view.
Figure 14: The UBC Rose Garden needs no introduction
Nitobe Memorial Garden
Nitobe Garden is located near the Asian Library and the Department of Asian Studies. This is one of my favourite places on campus, especially for meditative and relaxation purposes. The garden is built in the style of a Japanese landscape garden, and is consistently listed as one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan. There was a lot of attention to the finer details of the garden, including the curation of shrubs according to the environment, as well as the placement of each stone lantern. The Emperor Akihito and his Empress once visited, and the emperor remarked that he was “in Japan.” If you are interested in this little slice of authentic culture and Zen space on campus, please remember to be respectful of the rules of the garden. This is also a popular space for wedding photos and campus tours, so please be willing to accommodate if necessary. My personal favourites about this garden are the waterfall and the little bridges that lead you to an even better view of the koi fish pond. I hope you appreciate this space as much as many students do.
Figure 15: Nitobe Garden is a famous place for cherry blossom viewings on campus
Figure 16: Traditional Japanese garden features in Nitobe Memorial Garden. There are many stone lanterns and a bridge over the koi pond.
I hope this list has been helpful for you. I wish you all the best in finding your ideal study spot, to camp out in the library or a study room and work your day way. Remember to take lots of breaks, and that some libraries allow you to bring in food or drinks in pre-packaged containers. Please be mindful of library rules, and remember to respect the students around you as well as the staff. Happy studying!