Where is your favorite place to study at St. Lawrence University? I’m sure that many of you would say Owen D. Young Library, or the Sullivan Student Center, or common areas and rooms in academic buildings, or maybe even your dorm room. I’m also sure that many of you have found hidden gems that others don’t know about. I enjoy studying at Johnson Hall of Science; however, I sometimes study at ODY, Herring-Cole Hall or in my dorm room. I also enjoyed studying in the science library before it burned down. However, it seems that a large number of people tend to gravitate toward the student center.
I find the student center to be too distracting. It’s always so busy and loud. Wearing headphones helps, but I still find myself getting distracted by everything that’s happening around me. I prefer to find a scheduled area in Johnson or the library. But I know some people prefer to have some background noise when they study, which would make the student center the perfect place. I have also noticed that the student center is quiet during specific times of the week, so even those who prefer quieter places will be able to study there sometimes.
While I think the student center and the library are obvious choices for a study session, some study spaces seem to be underutilized. For example, in the few times that I went to Herring-Cole, the room was either empty or very nearly empty. If there were four other people in there, it would be considered a busy day (although I do not mind that). I’m not sure why this space is underutilized, but I have some theories. First, if you study there, you have to be painfully quiet, because the place is small, and it is easy for someone to overhear your conversation. Secondly, the place is a little far away from academic and dorm buildings, so it’s not as easy to access as the student center, which is centrally located. Finally, it’s kind of creepy. It’s beautiful, but still creepy. There are times when I have been there alone, and it felt like I was being watched.
However, I’m still surprised that it’s not a little more popular. If you are the type of person who needs complete silence to study, then it’s the perfect place for you. Additionally, the architecture, both inside and out, is beautiful. The building is also open all the time. I sometimes wonder if people just don’t know about it, or if they forget that it exists. I also wonder if it’s just one of those places that people do not study at regularly. I know that I tend to go there when I feel like I really need to lock in, and I only go there if I plan to study alone. If I want to study with my friends, then Herring-Cole will not be my first choice. In some ways, Herring-Cole is a hidden gem. It’s a quiet, secluded place that few people go to. Although it may not be everyone’s first choice for study places, the place is too cool for you not to go at least once.