It’s that time of the year again: the dreaded midterm season. A time when we spend two weeks powering through essays and exams to prove whether or not we’ve actually been paying attention in class. And now that the season is starting to change, you’re probably experiencing the desire to drink Pumpkin flavored beverages and look at the changing color of leaves rather than think about the countless assignments you have to do under the cold and harsh lighting of The New School University Center.
While studying may get you down, here are ten spots around TNS campus that aren’t as depressing as the UC where you can get your study on for this round of midterms.
- For the studious one.
Graphic credit: Alex Gilbeaux.
Jefferson Market Library
425 Sixth Ave.
A neighbor to Lang, the Jefferson Market Library stands at West 10th Street and Sixth Avenue. The100 year-old building originally functioned as a courthouse, but has since become a branch of the New York Public Library. Aside from a quiet place for you to study and free wifi, Jefferson Market looks like a castle, which is a win win.
- For the green thumb.
Jefferson Market Garden
70 Greenwich Village Ave.
If you are looking for a quiet outdoor place to study and don’t feel like venturing too far from campus, the Jefferson Market Garden is a godsend. Located right next to the Jefferson Market Library, the space has had an interesting past life. For 30 years, it functioned as a women’s prison but was razed in the 1960’s due to alleged mistreatment and overcrowding. The garden is located behind the Jefferson Market Library, is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Rumor has it, you can even access the wifi from the library next door. Double win.
- For the Lang student.
O Cafe
The 16th Street building
6 E 16th St.
Need your almond milk latte, but also a quiet space to study? While the flagship O Cafe is located right next to Lang, the 16th Street building allows you to indulge in your favorites during midterm season in a more studious setting. O Cafe is located right next to the Vera List Library which is equally awesome (it has comfy couches).
- For the procrastinator.
Graphic credit: Alex Gilbeaux.
Saint Luke’s Garden in the Fields
485 Hudson St.
If you’re feeling daring, venture off to Saint Luke’s Garden. A West Village treasure, the garden is filled with seasonal blooms and New York nature. The garden can function as a peaceful place for you to tune out before exams or to quietly study. There is a strict “No Cell Phone” policy at the garden, which adds an extra enforcement for you to not check Instagram while you are brainstorming essays or re-reading textbook chapters.
- For the NYU wannabe.
Graphic credit: Alex Gilbeaux.
Bobst Library
70 Washington Square South
It’s okay, we all wanted to be a Bobcat at some point in time. Lucky for us, New Schoolers have plenty of access to NYU perks, including their main library, Bobst. One cool feature of this library is the floors and floors of individual and group study rooms. Since securing a room can be tough, it is highly recommended that you reserve a room a week in advance or else you may be out of luck.
- For the adventurer.
Pier 51
West 12th and Horatio Street
If you feel like a complete change of scenery, head toward the West Side Highway to Pier 51. With riverside views and a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty, you can get your peace of mind or find a spot to focus. From grassy fields to a wooded dock area, there is plenty of room for you to spread out and get some serious work done.
- For the Lit Studies major.
Graphic credit: Alex Gilbeaux.
Caffe Reggio
119 MacDougal St.
Take a step back in time with Caffe Reggio, one of the oldest coffee shops in New York. Opened in 1927, the cafe claims to have debuted the cappuccino to the United States and was a frequent favorite to some of America’s greatest writers like Alan Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac. The cafe offers both indoor and outdoor seating, and although this cafe is almost 100 years old, Caffe Reggio does indeed have free wifi.
- For the Villager at heart.
Washington Square Park
Washington Square North and 5th Ave.
A no brainer. Washington Square Park is great for tackling readings or studying. You can find a place in the grass, or snuggle up at the fountain. Although it can get a little noisy, the park is a great place to escape from school without venturing off too far. Plus, if you have a little free time after you get your study on, you can pretend what it was like to live back in the day when Bob Dylan used to hang around, or simply people watch.
- For the Socially Conscious
Housing Works Bookstore Cafe
126 Crosby Street
If you are looking for a place to study, grab a bite, and have your money go to a good cause, Housing Works is perfect for you. All of the proceeds from the cafe and bookstore go to Housing Works, a non-profit organization that serves low-income and homeless New Yorkers that have been affected by HIV/AIDS. This spot is known to not be such a quiet space to study, so keep that in mind when considering your choices. They do however have free wifi, a killer latte, and a wide selection of books for you to check out.
- For the sweet tooth.
Graphic credit: Alex Gilbeaux.
Bleecker Street Park
Bleecker Street and West 11th Street
Need some motivation to study? Lucky for you, Bleecker Street Park is conveniently located next to Magnolia Bakery. Yup, this means after you find a quiet spot to study on the benches of the park, you can reward yourself with a delicious cupcake from West Village’s finest.