Need a place to actually get work done? Whether your roommate’s on their third viewing of The Office this week or your desk has disappeared under a mountain of… stuff, here’s your insider guide to UNBC’s best study spots.
Building 10 (Teaching and Learning Centre): The Social Studier’s Paradise
This is where productivity meets people-watching. Each floor features open spaces perfect for group work or solo studying when you don’t mind background noise. The trick is finding your ideal floor, some are chattier, others quieter. It’s like Goldilocks, but for procrastination spaces.
The Engineering Lounge (Building 10, Second Floor): The Opportunist’s Dream
Tucked away on the second floor of Building 10, this spot is either completely packed or gloriously empty, there’s no in-between. When the engineers are in class or have migrated elsewhere for group projects, you’ve struck gold. Comfy seating, whiteboards for pretending you understand calculus, and an atmosphere that makes you feel smarter by osmosis. Just be prepared to evacuate when a swarm of engineering students arrives discussing things you don’t understand.
Geoffrey R. Weller Library: The Classic Choice
The library follows a brilliant system: the higher you climb, the quieter it gets. By the fourth floor, you could hear a pin drop, perfect for deep focus or terrifying if you need to sneeze.
Book those study rooms early. Nothing ruins your groove like someone knocking on the glass with that awkward “um, we reserved this?” gesture.
The Winter Garden: The Hidden Gem
Seriously underrated. Natural light, surprisingly resilient plants, and enough space to spread out all seventeen textbooks you definitely need open at once. This spot offers the perfect blend of nature and knowledge.
Building 9 (Dr. Donald Rix Northern Health Sciences Centre): The Silent Sanctuary
The medical building stays empty and QUIET, intimidatingly quiet. It’s isolated, which means zero distractions. Just you, your work, and the vague pressure that future doctors studied here. You’ll need a map to find it, but the peace is worth the hunt.
Bentley Centre: The Wildcard
At the end of Student Street, the corner spots work well enough. Without headphones, you might catch someone’s loud phone conversation, but sometimes other people’s drama is the study break you didn’t know you needed.
Random Tables Throughout Campus: The Nomad’s Choice
Between the Winter Garden and Student Street, you’ll find tables with outlets scattered around. Perfect for spontaneous study sessions when inspiration strikes.
The Cafeteria (Second Floor): The Controversial Choice
Hear me out, if you have a meal plan, this is genius. All-you-can-eat means unlimited fuel for your study marathon without leaving your spot. The ambient noise actually helps some people focus.
The catch? Without a meal plan, bathroom breaks become expensive. You might have to pay to re-enter, which is… a choice the university made.
The Bottom Line
The best study spot is wherever you actually study instead of doom-scrolling for three hours. So grab your laptop charger, your emotional support water bottle, and go forth to pretend to be productive like the rest of us.
