Do you feel something? Perhaps, the creeping sense of dread and exhaustion?
Yes, it’s almost midterms. It’s the time when we—being the typical college students we all are—cram our books, laptops and every possible caffeinated drink inside our backpacks and transform into a walking turtle, hoping to find an available study spot.
Obviously, your dorm room isn’t a good idea because you’ll end up falling asleep within the first 10 minutes of “studying.” So, you head to the all-time favorite: the LC. But, as expected, all the tables are taken. You walk all the way to the Science Building with its fancy, glass-walled study rooms—but they’re all full as well. You head over to Ramaker, but everyone is busy socializing. Finally, you make your way to the RSC, only to find yourself waving to everyone who walks by.
Where else could you go? There is one spot you’ve probably never thought about: the art building.
Before you start rolling your eyes and say, “I can’t even do art,” hear me out. The art building isn’t an exclusive artist’s den where you need to be holding a paintbrush in your hand to enter. Despite its quiet atmosphere, natural lighting, and proximity to food and coffee, it remains as the most underrated building on campus—which is exactly why it is the perfect place to hit the books.
First of all, the art building doesn’t have the usual campus chaos. Although there aren’t individual study pods like the LC, the whole building is like one giant study pod, usually filled with silence all day. So, if you need to get a reading done or crank out a 2,000-word essay you’ve been putting off, you’d possibly find the peacefulness of the art building extremely helpful.
Second, the lighting inside the art building is exceptional. Thanks to its intentional structural design and location, natural sunlight shines perfectly through the huge windows. While it’s one of my favorite things as an art student when I work on a project, it is also a huge help when trying to focus on homework because it reduces eye strain.
Aside from the quietness and great lighting, another amazing thing about the art building is its proximity to food and coffee. It’s literally in between Subway and Scooters, making it very convenient for those moments when your stomach begins to grumble or when sleepiness hits you in the middle of a study session. Plus, taking a short break to walk outside to grab snacks is always a great way to refresh your mind!
Lastly, studying in the art building offers a change of scenery. Research has proven that changing your work environment can boost productivity and sharpen focus. If you feel like you’ve exhausted all your remaining brain cells, then perhaps all you need is a new atmosphere to recharge your mind. Additionally, the art gallery features artworks from various artists each semester. Currently, artwork by South Dakota artist Molly Wicks is on display, and walking through it could simply ignite creativity in you!
With all that being said, why fight for a study spot when the art building is practically empty most of the time? It’s Northwestern’s hidden gem for a peaceful, well-lit, and well-equipped study environment. As we art students welcome you to this space, the only thing we kindly request is that we all respect the space and artworks in progress/displayed around the building. So, the next time you feel the pressure of dead week (or college workload in general), remember that our underrated art building is just a short walk away. Why not give it a try today?
