Whether it is a classroom in Gasson or the cubbies in Bapst, everyone has his and her go-to study spot on campus. Come midterms, however, you may want to spice up your study life with a trip into the city. Here’s your guide to Boston’s best study places.
The spots
Trident Booksellers and Cafe
Just a short walk from the Hynes Convention Center T stop, Trident is easily accessible from campus. Walk into the store, and you’ll find one of Boston’s coolest bookstores on the right and a (most likely crowded) cafe on the left. Make your way upstairs—there is more seating there, and it is often less crowded. Grab a spot at the communal table amid the stacks, there are plenty of plugs for your electronics and tons of table space. The waitresses cater to these workstations, so you can enjoy your breakfast or lunch while getting started on the day’s work. If you need a quick study break, feel free to walk around the bookstore—they have funny knick-knacks and gag gifts, as well as a great selection of books to peruse at your disposal.
Where: Newbury Street.
Wifi: Yes, but it can be very slow.
Crowds: If you arrive before noon, you should have no problem finding a spot. Afternoons can become very crowded on weekends, however.
What to order: Fresh Complexion fruit and veggie juice with the Breakfast Sandwich.
Thinking Cup
Calling all coffee connoisseurs: Thinking Cup is the only coffee shop in Boston to exclusively serve “Stumptown Coffee,” which has been named “Best Coffee in the World” by NPR, The New York Times, Food & Wine Magazine, and USA Today. Old pictures, trinkets, and newspaper clippings of Boston decorate the tables, and glass chandeliers light this underground coffee shop. You most likely will have to wait for a table, as the shop is usually packed. The tables are small and do not offer a lot of workspace, so if you need to spread out, this is not your spot.
Where: Newbury Street.
Wifi: None.
Crowds: Usually very crowded—this is probably not the spot to head with your friends.
What to order: A customized grilled cheese and an iced chai.
Boston Public Library (BPL)
If you need absolute silence to get on your study grind, head to the BPL. A Boston landmark, the BPL is one of the most aesthetically pleasing study spots around. Its reputation makes it a popular destination, so it can be hard to find a spot here, and you may find yourself nestled up between strangers.
Where: Copley Square.
Wifi: Yes, but spotty.
Crowds: Usually a lot of people there.
What to order: No food or drinks are allowed here, so if you need to be snacking while studying, this is not the spot for you.
Pavement
Similarly to Thinking Cup, Pavement offers an artistic vibe and great coffee. The shop is staffed by hip baristas and serves Counter Culture Coffee, a coffee roasting company committed to sustainable coffee. They have both soy and almond milk as options, if dairy just doesn’t do it for you. Also, the shop plays music if you happen to forget your headphones, but is still quiet enough for you to read a book. If you’re looking to get an artsy Instagram out of this study trip, this might be your best bet.
Where: Newbury Street.
Wifi: Yes, but it’s only free for an hour.
Crowds: It is harder to get a seat here than in the Chocolate Bar.
What to order: Vegan scone.
Museum of Fine Arts
The MFA is a little less accessible than the other study spots, but it’s probably your best bet on finding a seat. The Taste Cafe, located right near the gift shop, is both a fun and relatively quiet spot for homework. Arguably the best part about studying here is exploring the museum as a study break. If you present your student ID at the ticket desk, you can gain free entrance.
Where: Boston.
Wifi: Yes.
Crowds: Even if the museum is crowded, you should have no problem finding a place to study.
What to order: Coconut macaroon and a latte.
Study breaks
For the fashion junkie: LF
LF sells a wide variety of clothing, accessories, and shoes for women. They are currently amid their “60-percent-off sale”—obviously a good price tag for the college budget.
For the technology/art junkie: Makerbot
Makerbot is a 3D printing store located on Newbury Street. You can watch the printers make new objects, take a class, or purchase objects made in the 3D printers.
For the book junkie: Raven Used Books
If you are into books, this place is worth perusing. It sells books 50- to 80-percent-off cover price—once again, superb for the college budget.
Studying for midterms is often stressful but I find that
going to these recommended places is very helpful and a great way to get work
done. It is hard to study in my room because of so many distractions and the
libraries on campus tend to get old. I’ve studied in a few of the places
mentioned in this article but my favorite is the Boston Public Library. When I first
visited, it was much more than I was expecting. When you walk inside, the first
thing you see is a grand marble staircase and with some exploring, you find
lots of great places to study. There is one section of the library that is kind
of hard to find. It is where they keep the rare, old books. They have letters
written by people from the Revolutionary War that you can read there. BPL is
also is right across the street from Copley Square and a block over is Newbury
street. I like to study in the Boston Public Library then go to Georgetown
Cupcakes for a delicious cupcake! It is also nice to walk through Boston Garden
and Boston Common to take a break from studying. When it is nice weather and
there is no snow on the ground it’s fun to study in the park. Going into Boston
to study is a great way to get off BC’s campus and explore Boston. I love
taking advantage of all Boston has to offer and these study and study break spots
are a great way to do so!