As a graduate or professional student, you may not need to be on campus every day of the week, so finding a study spot to maximize your time is crucial.
Do you find that there are certain environments that fit best with your working, learning, or studying styles? Check out these locations on campus to find a space that will be best suited to your personal study habits:
University Libraries
The Columbus campus is home to ten university library locations. Visit https://library.osu.edu/locations for locations, hours, and more detailed information about the unique resources at each library.
Spotlight: Thompson Library
Thompson Library is the largest library on the Columbus campus. In addition to 11 floors of books and study spaces like the Grand Reading Room, Thompson Library offers group study rooms, computers, printing and copying services, the OCIO Buckeye Bar, and Berry Café! There is also a wellness room, lactation room, three gender inclusive restrooms, and lockers available for use in Thompson Library.
Spotlight: 18th Avenue Library
One unique feature of 18th Avenue Library is its flexible and accommodating hours which allow you to study around your schedule at your convenience. The 18th Avenue Library is open 24 hours a day during the week and closes at midnight on Saturdays and Sundays. Other features of the 18th Avenue Library include the Research Commons, Terra Byte Café, wellness room, computers, printing and copying services, group study rooms, and a designated quiet space on the 4th floor.
Ohio Union
The Ohio Union is another great study spot on campus. The Union offers a variety of spaces and resources including fireplace lounges, three floors, and a basement all with seating available. There are also multiple dining options to meet your needs. You can find the Union Market, Sloopy’s Diner, Espress-OH Café, and Woody’s Tavern all located in the Ohio Union.
Check out the Ohio Union building map to view all the available rooms and spaces.
Outdoor Spaces
When the weather is nice and you want to study outside, there are a variety of scenic spots to explore.
Spotlight: The Oval and South Oval
You can always find a spot on the Oval or the South Oval to sit and study or simply enjoy the atmosphere.
Spotlight: Mirror Lake
Enjoy the view of Mirror Lake while you study by finding a spot on a bench or some greenspace nearby. In the Winter, be sure to check out Light Up the Lake!
Spotlight: Browning Amphitheater
The Browning Amphitheater is a performance space that features rows of seats where you can sit and read, study, or work. The area surrounding Browning Amphitheater also offers great views to take in as you work.
Spotlight: Numbers Garden (aka The Garden of Constants)
The Numbers Garden is located on the Dreese Laboratories lawn with plenty of options for seating nearby. Grab a spot on the concrete ledges lining the lawn, surrounding benches, or nearby tables outside of Oxley’s Café.
Academic Buildings
Many of the academic buildings on campus have spaces such as lounges, lobbies, or rooms available for reservation where you can study. The Office of Distance Education and eLearning has compiled a list of Informal Study Spaces in several buildings across campus. Visit the Informal Study Spaces webpage for photos and descriptions of what each space has to offer.
Dining Locations
If you are looking for a more casual or social environment, there are a variety of dining halls, cafés, and marketplaces on campus where you can grab a snack, meal, coffee, or tea and spend some time working between commitments. Dining Services has 30 locations across campus that offer dining options ranging from fast casual and grab-and-go style to table service and all-you-care-to-eat.
-Lucy Hennon, Graduate Student Assistant