For Glasgow students, as midterm deadlines are building up and winter exams are fast approaching, it’s increasingly becoming a chore to find a space to study between classes. This is particularly true if you don’t want to wake up at the crack of dawn to get a seat on one of the library’s quiet floors. For a change of scenery, why not try one of the following lesser-known study spots?

Public Libraries

The public libraries dotted around the city make for great alternatives to the University Library. The closest ones to campus include Partick, Woodside and Hillhead Libraries, all of which have places for quiet study. However, a personal favourite is the Mitchell Library, which is one of the largest public libraries in Europe and is located on North Street (close to Finnieston and Woodlands). It houses a cafe, several reading rooms and – if you sign up for a free library account – access to desktops.

GUU Libraries

Secondly, there are two libraries within the Glasgow University Union, of which I wasn’t aware until my second year: the James Bridie and Walter Elliot Libraries. They are comfortable and convenient, with the only downside being that they are relatively small.

Zoology Museum

Next, we have the Zoology Museum in the Graham Kerr Building. It is part of the Hunterian, so it is a great place to study, especially if you would enjoy looking at the exhibits when daydreaming. This option is less convenient if, like me, you are partial to bringing last night’s leftovers to uni and reheating them for lunch – only the Fraser Building, Main Library and JMS Learning Hub have microwaves.

4 Professor’s Square

If group study is your thing, consider Professor’s Square. Designed by the architect Sir George Gilbert Scott, Professor’s Square was used as accommodation for academics in the 1870s. But nowadays the buildings are used as university offices and teaching rooms, with numbers 5,6 and 9 having bookable study rooms (via the UofG Life app). A disadvantage of these rooms is that food is not allowed inside, but what better excuse to go to a nearby cafe for a sweet treat?

Mazumdar-Shaw ARC Building

Lastly, we have the Advanced Research Centre, which was built where the Western Infirmary used to be. Having opened in 2022, it is one of the newest, shiniest buildings on campus. You will find an ‘open study zone’ that is available to all students; it is conducive to deep focus and just a very motivating environment. The one downside is that some of the chairs have no backs, so it is great for studying for a few hours, but perhaps not the whole day.

Some honourable mentions of good study spots include the plethora of cafes in the West End, the best of which include the Ottoman Coffee House, iCafe, and Offshore.

Happy studying!

Published 5 November 2024