Where Western Works: The Best Study Spots on Campus

Taylor Library

Burrowed deep inside the Natural Science centre, the Allyn & Betty Taylor Library is a popular place for students from all sorts of backgrounds to study. Having three main floors dedicated to study and groupwork spaces, the library can hold upwards of a thousand students at a time. Beyond its size, though, Taylor offers a few study areas that tend to be overlooked.

The collaborative learning space on the ground floor is an amazing option for those who prefer a quieter atmosphere without complete silence. Because it is not a designated silent zone, you can feel guilt-free about talking while studying and disrupting others.

Another “secret” studying spot is in the Stacks – there are six Stacks and many of them have several larger tables hidden between the bookshelves, all equipped with charging ports. These tables are a great spot to go to during exam season as it’s not very well known to a lot of students!

Beyond seating options, Taylor is also convenient for longer study sessions, since right outside the library is Einstein’s Cafe and a food court, in case you ever get hungry as you study.

Getting there early also helps you secure the best seats. The early bird always gets the worm, so if you’re looking for that ideal, window-facing, group study spot, make sure to get to Taylor when it opens at 9 AM!

Entrepreneurship Building (SEI)

The Entrepreneurship Building is one of the newest additions to campus and has quickly become a popular place to study. Spanning over 100,000 square feet, it includes a range of study spaces such as the collision space, collaborator space, and grand hall, offering flexibility depending on how students prefer to work.

SEI's modern design and floor-to-ceiling windows make it a particularly well-liked study spot, especially in the morning when natural light fills the building. Despite the large amount of space, the most sought-after spots are often taken by mid-morning.

A recently opened cafe has also added to the Entrepreneurship Building’s appeal, offering an extensive selection of matcha lattes for all your performative needs. For students who like to move between locations throughout the day, SEI works well as a starting point: arrive early, take advantage of the natural light, and leave once it gets busier.

While not necessarily a hidden gem, SEI remains one of the most visually appealing, and performative places on campus to get work done.

Ivey Building

Finding a spot at the Ivey Building can feel like a competitive sport, but that driven, locked-in atmosphere is exactly what makes it my most productive study spot. There’s just something about being surrounded by students who seem equally concentrated that makes it easier to focus and push through your own workload. It’s also juuust far enough from main campus that the urge to get up and walk to the Spoke is reduced!

The C.B. "Bud" Johnston Library, which is open to all Western students, is relatively small but surprisingly cozy. With plenty of natural light and a quieter, more intimate feel, it’s a refreshing change of scenery from my usual Taylor basement routine.

Social Science Basement

The Social Science basement after hours has dungeon energy that you will be hard stretched to find anywhere else on campus. Slightly run-down, slightly eerie, but strangely perfect for a last-minute grind session, the brick confinement of the Social Science basement is the kind of place where time disappears.

Staying until 6a.m. to finish my 2257 feasibility project (would not recommend!), I found myself in a strangely locked flow state in the depths of that oh-so-red basement. The space is massive, which makes it ideal for late-night study marathons when you need to stand up, pace around, or literally jog a lap to wake yourself up. Hungry? Vending machines serving both food and drink helped me push through into the early hours of morning.

The Social Science basement is far from glamorous, but if you’re looking for a no-frills, high-stamina environment to power through that last-minute deadline, it delivers.

Honourable Mentions:

UCC 3rd floor: It took me two years on campus to realize this spot existed. Check it out if you’re looking for a new spot – the UCC is open 24/7, so bring a pillow if you’d like too!

Performative Study Spots: Study at Somerville House, the Thames Hall Atrium, or the Ground Floor of Weldon if you want to look super busy but actually end up (1) scrolling, (2) gossiping with your friends, or (3) watching The Office clips on YouTube!