Good places to study
From The Unofficial Guide to Engineering
Perhaps one of the most important things to a successful academic career at UC Berkeley is finding that optimal place to study. The type of studier you are strongly influences where you will be able to study. Beware, however, that anytime during midterms and finals popular study areas, such as within the dorms, Doe/Moffit Library, and the Ceasar Chavez Student Learning Center will always be crowded.
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Home/Dorms
For most people, home has been the place to study and get work done. In college, your home often becomes too distracting for studying. The dorms are generally a great place to socialize and meet floormates, but generally become frustrating to study in due to roommates or friends. All the dorms, however, do provide some type of studying area, such as study lounges or academic and computing centers with study rooms, which are great for quiet studying or group projects. In particular, the academic and computing centers are great resources to take advantage of while living in the dorms.
Library
Libraries are among some of the best places to study and to nap. In general, all the libraries on campus provide a very quiet and focused environment to study. Depending on the person, libraries, however, may be too quiet for studying. Falling asleep in a library is a common phenomenon. Some of the more popular libraries to study in include the Doe/Moffit library, the engineering library, and the music library. To get away from the crowds, smaller libraries, including the Architecture/Environmental Design Library and the Mathematics and Statistics Library, may be more preferable. During the school day, libraries are also great places to do a little studying between classes.
Morrison Reading Room
Located near the entrance of Doe Library, the Morrison Reading Room is a unique study location on campus. With a quaint, musty private library feel and comfortable couches, the reading room is great for napping, reading, or just relaxing. This is a must-visit at Berkeley.
Eshleman Hall
Known as the student body building and home to several different student organizations, Eshleman Hall is also renowned for its comfortable study environment on the seventh floor. A very quiet place with soft sofas and study tables, it overlooks Lower Sproul. This study area is usually open late and is open twenty-four hours during finals.
Cesar Chavez Student Learning Center (SLC)
Across the courtyard from Eshleman Hall, the Student Learning Center (SLC) offers tutoring services. Trained student tutors provide help in subjects, such as mathematics, writing, physics, and biology. Workshops, group study, and mini-lectures are also held for the more difficult lower division classes, such as Organic Chemistry or General Biology. The SLC atrium is a great location to hold group meetings and discussions, but the noise level is usually kept at a dull roar.
Multicultural Center/Open Computing Facility (OCF)
Located in the Martin Luther King Building underneath the Pauley Ballroom, the Multicultural Center is a large colorful lounge with comfortable chairs and couches. Generally a very quiet area, the center is a new addition to the building. The Open Computing Facility (OCF) consists of about twenty computers, located within the Multicultural Center, and allows for free printing.
Cafés
Cafés are quite popular places to study and chat. Busy and loud, accidentally falling asleep usually does not happen. The environment tends to be more fun and social than normal study areas. For some students, the background noise also provides a way to focus. Popular cafés include Free Speech Movement located in the Moffit Library, Café Milano on Bancroft, and Café Strada on Bancroft and College.
Outdoors
Studying outdoors is probably one of the most relaxing and enjoyable activities. On a nice sunny day, choosing a soft patch of grass on Memorial Glade or anywhere else on campus is rewarding and allows for smooth, laidback studying.
