Everyone deals with finals week in their own way. Some caffeinate, some go sleep deprived, some build a fort of books and never leave the library. We decided to comb the campus and find out the weird and wonderful study ways of Middlebury students.
Location, Location, Location
— Bi Hall —
Studying in the third largest building in Vermont is sure to inspire big thinking. Cool spots like the greenhouse, the science library and the red chairs allow you to switch it up a little.
— Dorms —
Sometimes, studying in the comfort of our rooms — where we’re sure to have food, all our materials, and naptime options — is the most relaxing of all.
— Hillcrest —
This is not just a study spot for environmental studies majors — everyone can appreciate the bright lights and airy atmosphere which are sure to keep you both awake and focused.
— Library —
Always a classic. Printers, books, bright lights and socialization opportunities all at hand ... it is sure to be the campus nexus next week.
— Axinn/Starr —
Whether you prefer the calming waterfall and natural light of Axinn or the dark wood paneling and ornate Persian rugs of Starr, the campus’ center for literary and cultural studies provides a unique study experience.
Students talk about how they deal with finals
“I study most of the time in my room because all my stuff is there and because I like working in my room. I like that I can sit at my desk, on my bed.”
Nina Kelly ’12
“I study a lot on the second floor of the library in the blue chairs because its comfortable and quiet and it’s a good work space for me.”
Mindy Harvey ’12
“I always do work in my room because everything is there. I don’t see the point in packing up all of my stuff and moving somewhere else. Plus when I’m done I can just open my computer and [relax].”
Shannon Muscatello ’13
I like to find the little nooks and crannies in Bi-hall. It’s a great location for a quiet study place as well as an astonishing view. I try not to overwhelm myself with one subject so I try to study multiple subjects throughout the whole day. Ryan Brewster ’14
“I like to work in my room because if I go to the library I get too distracted by watching people. I think [study days] would be a lot easier for our sake to have extra days to [catch up on old work].”
Kristen Degraff ’13
“In high school I didn’t personally need to do too much studying. I felt like I could walk in there and wing it .... but I certainly feel like here much more is being risked, much more is swinging on these exams. It’s just gathering the will power for studying for hours on end.”
Eric Hemphill ’14
“Personally I have gotten some of my best work done in Atwater library. The acoustics in the room make it really, really quiet, but there’s also this big window so you can still see people walking around and the sun setting and rising. It has couches, too, so if you need to take a nap for a few minutes, you can.”
Dan Murphy ’11
“I like to study in Bi-hall. I like the atmosphere, I like that it’s quiet but there’s still a buzz of noise sometimes and the big windows are nice. Some of my AP classes prepared me for college but it’s more reading and less busy work. There are more essays and I have to budget my time differently.”
Amelia Furlong ’14
“I do this weird thing where I have all my stuff on me and I sort of assess the way I feel at that very moment and start navigating the campus in my head, thinking which place is going to be the most conducive based on the assignment I have. It’s so bad because I think that it’s one place and then I get there and I realize that it was not where my soul was ready to be. I feel like we all do that because we don’t all work at the same desk for every assignment. Like I have tables where I look at them and am like, ‘That’s where I wrote my environmental studies paper.’”
Janet Rodrigues ’12
“I usually study in my room or sometimes go to Bi-hall on weekends. I like studying in my room at night because I can make tea and it’s convenient and I like going to Bi-hall because there are less distractions. I tend to try and keep a really regular sleep schedule because that helps me stay awake.”
Caitlin Arnold ’11
“My room is pretty quiet so no one is ever really around. It’s a lot
easier to study when it’s quiet. If I have to write a paper I go to Bi-hall so I can’t goof off on the computer. I have to have music on [when I study]. If it's a song I know I’ll ignore the music but it blocks out other sounds that would [distract me]. I don’t drink coffee, no five-hour energy, no soda. Just lots of water. I feel like if I drink water I’ll be healthier.“
Andrew Lind ’13
“Bi-hall is my favorite place. It has a pretty view and it’s quiet. In high school I would just study at home all the time because my parents wouldn’t distract me. It’s different when you’re living with friends. I will definitely be studying the most for Calc 2. Life sucks in Calc 2.” Kelsey Henry ’14
Study Break
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