My Opinion
Student hits the books, finds sweet spots
I've never done so much studying in my life.

To please my hard-nosed editors, I agreed to review the study havens both on and off campus where students burn the midnight oil preparing for both the most anticipated and dreaded five days of the semester — finals week.

Since Easter fell so close to finals this year, I had planned on forgoing the whole opening-a-book method of studying and was opting for just praying to the Almighty to get me through the week.

After being tempted with the idea of my own column, I thought maybe I would take the opportunity to drink some coffee, talk to my friends and maybe look over a few hundred pages of my sociology book that I have been neglecting since January.

HUB-Robeson Center

The HUB is perfect for group work.

Its convenient location and ample seating make this one of the most popular places to get in some quality time with your favorite textbook.

Many also often find the "airport terminal" style chairs on the first floor a comfortable bonus to their visit.

Since the HUB is so popular for groups, individuals may find the constant discussions a mild distraction.

However, others enjoy the background buzz while looking over a semester's worth of notes.

While the HUB is open to all, many feel it has turned into a toga hangout with various greek organizations staking claim to many of the ground-floor tables.

Being greek myself, I don't really see this as a bad thing.

People who wear Abercrombie & Fitch need to study, too.

Irving's Bagels
110 E. College Ave.

With seating areas on two levels, Irving's is definitely one of downtown's prime places for a pre-exam cram fest.

Studying American literature while sitting in front of a fireplace and drinking a skinny mocha cappuccino is exactly what I always imagined college would be like.

The one problem with this College Avenue establishment is everyone wants to study there.

If you're there in the afternoon, tables are almost always filled. But if you are lucky enough to find a place to sit, you can definitely get some studying done.

However, I always feel a little bad about taking a table away from someone who is looking for a place to eat.

If you go at night, it's not that crowded and allows for a few good hours of solid studying.

And the food isn't bad either.

The Daily Grind Coffeehouse
107 E. Beaver Ave.

Totally cute.

This establishment located on Beaver Avenue may be just what those quiet study types are looking for.

Their small tables aren't conducive to group work, so individual students head on over.

It is not that crowded at night, and the people ducking in for a coffee break seem pretty mellow.

Being tempted to eavesdrop on a juicy conversation at the next table isn't likely to happen. I find people here keep their voices low.

The Espress'ery
Pollock Commons

This small nook tucked away in the Pollock quad offers an on-campus coffee oasis to those not wanting to trek off campus for a caffeine jolt.

With big purple tables and trendy coffee shop décor, this little hideaway lends itself to both group and individual studying.

While there is always the chatter of people taking a study break, I found the quiet murmur of coffee talk wasn't a distraction.

The best part — you can pay with your ID card.

If there is a moral to this story, I guess it is that there is a place to study for everyone.

So, I don't want to hear any complaining about not being able to get work done because their roommates are being too loud.

Wherever you go, it is your last chance to pull some decent marks for Spring Semester 2000.

In the midst of one of my stressed panics, someone told me once, "Cs earn degrees."

I say As earn a lot more money.

Good luck.