My final project in my Writing for Media class was to create a website with a group focused on one topic. Our topic: Surviving Finals Week. The following is my post for the blog on some of the most popular places for Hope students to study.
Ten Hope College Study Spots
Every college student has his or her ideal study environment. Some like background noise, while others prefer silence. Some like to be around other people, while others prefer a space with minimum distractions. This list of the ten best Hope College study spots will have something that fits your ideal studying environment.
1. 1st & 2nd Floor of the Van Wylen Library
This is the place to go to study with friends, work on group projects, or be in an academic environment where it’s acceptable to talk and contribute to the constant background noise. There are lots of large tables and some cushioned chairs, as well as desktop computers where you can settle in and get work done.
2. 3rd & 4th Floors & Basement of the Van Wylen Library
These levels of the library are dedicated to quiet study. There are tables and cushioned chairs similar to the 1st and 2nd floor as well as individual study nooks for a distraction free space. The basement has a rare book room which has a computer cart, projection screen, classroom tables and chairs. The library is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 a.m., Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. until 12:00 a.m. For finals week the hours are extended making the closing time 2:00 a.m. Sunday through Wednesday.
3. Paul Schaap Science Center
Home to the sciences, this building has plenty of spots to set up for a long day of studying. The atrium has small study rooms as well as cushioned chairs and couches with tables. In addition to the atrium and, of course, classrooms, there are many smaller spots throughout the building with tables, chairs and couches available for students to use when studying. Since the science center is an academic building, it can be accessed at any time with a Hope student ID.
4. Martha Miller Center for Global Communication
This academic building is home to the Communication and Modern and Classical Languages departments. There are classrooms that can be used to study, but the most popular areas are the two levels of the rotunda. There are many tables and chairs on both the first and second floor. This building is also accessible at all hours for Hope students.
5. The Kletz
Here you have a coffee shop, food and ice cream all conveniently located in one place on campus. If you like the coffee shop conversational background and don’t want to make the walk downtown, the Kletz is a great option. There are plenty of tables and booths to choose from. Both seating options have power outlets to plug into and study for as long as you need. The Kletz is open from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 a.m. Monday through Thursday, Fridays 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. and Sunday 2:00 p.m. until 12:00 a.m.
6. Lubbers Hall
This building houses six departments: English, History, Philosophy, Religion, Political Science and Philosophy. Most of the rooms are offices with only six classrooms but cushioned chairs and small side tables are in the lobby area of each floor. However, the lights in the lobbies and halls are on timers and motion activated at night. So studying in the lobby late at night will require getting up and moving every so often to keep the lights on.
7. Coffee Shops
There are two independent coffee shops in downtown Holland, JP’s and Lemonjello’s, that are within walking distance of Hope’s campus. There are also chain stores including Starbucks and Biggby, that are a short drive away. If you run on caffeine and like to have a conversational background noise while studying, plus a little bit of distance from your daily surroundings, any of these coffee shops in the surrounding Holland area are a great option.
8. Residence Hall, Cottage or Apartment
This is the one studying environment you have the most control over. Depending on how you and your roommate(s) live, this can be as quiet or filled with music and background noise as you like. Staying at home also means that all of your studying materials are right there with no need to pack it all up, load it into your backpack and move everything across campus. Plus, food, drinks, a bathroom, blankets, your bed, etc., are all nearby making studying at any hour as conveniently comfortable as possible.
9. Residence Hall Lounges
Dorms, as well as some apartment buildings, have common area lounges available for studying. However, they are also available for watching movies or whatever else those you live with want to use the space for. Therefore, these spaces are not guaranteed to be quiet, but are less crowded than the library. Plus, they have printers and computers available if needed.
10. The Pine Grove
When the sun is shining and it’s 50 degrees or warmer it is hard to stay inside after a long Michigan winter. Packing up the books, grabbing a blanket or a hammock and setting up in the Pine Grove is a great way to multitask and get some vitamin D in your system while studying. With Frisbees flying around and Spikeball games in action, it isn’t a distraction free environment, but since it is outside the most noticeable background noise is the construction happening from around 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Thanks for reading!
~Erin