Kai’s Favorite Study Spots

As a prestigious liberal arts college, you’ve heard plenty about Carleton’s academic rigor. Luckily, we have the best professors in the nation (a title we’ve held for 12 consecutive years now!) and a super friendly, supportive environment to help you make the most of the academic experience here.

We have plenty of work to get done, but where do Carleton students go to study? I’m glad you asked because we have a plethora of study spots to choose from. I had trouble settling on one favorite spot so instead, I highlighted a few different places I like!

Sayles: for “studying”

As I wrote in my last blog post, Sayles has a special place in my heart as the social heart of our campus. Thanks to the tight-knit nature of Carleton, I always run into friendly faces at Sayles. That is why I put quotation marks around “study” because Sayles is where I often go with my friends for our “study” sessions that may or may not devolve into social hour. Sayles has the longest hours of all the on-campus cafes, a perk that allows me to always supplement these study sessions with a goodie (California Rolls and Muscle Milk, anyone?).

Hasenstab Hall: for being-a-good-student studying

Hasenstab hosts the Political Science department. I am a Political Science (and Psychology) major, after all. So I give a shout-out to the newly renovated and beautiful building. The classrooms here are fantastic, and I love visiting my professors here for office hours. My go-to spot in the building is the top-floor study rooms, separated from a well-furnished lounge area by sleek glass walls. It is a great place to get readings done and lock into writing an essay (or an Admissions blog post).

Anderson Hall Atrium: for flashy, futuristic studying

If I am looking for a convenient place to study between classes, our new and centrally located Anderson Hall is the spot to go. Anderson has tons of prime study rooms – I go between the rooms with either a view of the Chapel or Lyman Lakes.

Typically, though, I settle for a table on the top floor overlooking the sleek atrium, which includes what was once the outside facade of Olin Hall (designed by famed architect Minoru Yamasaki). A plus is the Schulze Cafe in the atrium, open during the day for a pick-me-up coffee and snack.

Weitz Center for Creativity: for ~ off the beaten path ~ studying

The Weitz is just two blocks off the main campus at Carleton, but getting over to the relatively remote Center for Creativity rewards me with the solitude I need to study. The Weitz has a lot of things: an architecturally stunning concert hall, cool photo/art studios, tons of classrooms, an underrated courtyard, etc. Moreover, it has a great common space and some pretty sweet practice rooms (fitted with Steinway Grand Pianos, no less). I love this building very much.

Evans Hall lounge: for studying (!)

I put an exclamation point beside studying in the Evans lounge because this is my trusty place in times of desperation: the late nights when I’ve procrastinated a bit too much and have to hunker down. It is a nice, cozy space conveniently within my dorm that allows me to get away from the distractions of living with some of my closest friends (they are too much fun to be around in the dorm room to get work done there). Some of my most productive hours have been spent here. Thank goodness for the Evans Lounge. 

Outside on the Bald Spot: for good weather studying!

When you get a nice Minnesota spring or fall day, the sun is out, and frisbees fly across campus. It makes it irresistible to snag a table, Adirondack chair, or hammock to spend time studying outside on the Bald Spot!

Kai is a junior excited to be back at Carleton after studying abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark. He is a Political Science & Psychology major and prospective Public Policy Minor from Charlottesville, Virginia. He loves working in the Lutsky Social and Personality Research Lab, volunteering for Project Friendship, playing piano at the Weitz, hanging out at Sayles, taking walks around the Lakes or in the Arb, and pitching/playing infield for the baseball team.