I don’t know about you, but I have a hard time doing my schoolwork in my apartment. I am far more productive when I am in a different environment. My assumption is that it’s harder to study in your apartment or dorm room because those are places you typically associate with relaxing. I base my assumption on the studies on how doing homework in bed is harmful to productivity (check out https://achs.edu/blog/2016/10/01/never-do-homework-in-bed-3-reasons-why/ to read more on why you shouldn’t study in bed). Last semester, I was constantly out of my apartment working on schoolwork, and I would spend hours on my schoolwork versus only spending 20 minutes if I were in my apartment. With the school year just getting started, I want to help you best succeed and have the best productivity so here are some of my go-to spots rain or shine!
When the weather is nice!
Clemson University Amphitheater
There’s a reason why you notice so many students sitting on the steps of the Amphitheater between classes. The Amphitheater is a great place to enjoy the fresh air and breeze, work on your tan, and get your homework done between classes. I always keep a blanket or towel in my car for the days I decide to work at the Amphitheater.
Around Cooper Library
Cooper Library is surrounded by tables and chairs below Library Bridge, behind the library near the Watt Center and on the balconies of Cooper. Underneath Library Bridge, there are even hammock stands so you could easily set up your hammock and grind out that English paper. The tables and chairs underneath the bridge are often occupied throughout the day because they’re such a popular spot, but there’s almost always seating outside on the balconies. To access seating on the balconies, you’ll need to scan into Cooper first.
Bowman Field
Bowman is often filled with games like Spikeball and frisbee on sunny afternoons, so it’s not surprising that it can be easily overlooked as a place to study. Bowman is a great place to study on campus if you thrive with the background noise and hustle and bustle of students getting to class, traffic, games and conversations happening between the people around you.
Outside at All-In
For those of you interested in working off-campus but still wanting to enjoy the fresh air, All-In Coffee Shop is a great option for you. All-In has a fair amount of outdoor seating options and tasty treats and drinks to supplement your long study sessions. All-In Coffee Shop is open from 7 a.m.-6 p.m. on Monday-Thursday and from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. All-In is closed on Sundays.
Rainy or Cold Days!
Jitters
Jitters Brewing Company is a coffee shop located in Central, SC, and the shop is just under a 10-minute drive from campus. Jitters has two indoor sections for seating, so there are plenty of options for seating. I usually don’t have to worry about not finding a seat at Jitters. Jitters has a great open atmosphere, and most of the time, work is being done by students so I’ve found that excess talking is very limited. Jitters Brewing Company is open Sunday-Thursday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Inside at All-In
All-In Coffee Shop has already been mentioned in this list, but it’s a local favorite and deserves to be mentioned for indoor seating. It should be noticed that seating at All-In isn’t always the easiest to find since it’s within walking distance from campus in downtown Clemson. All-In also tends to be a louder atmosphere as many casual conversations are going on, and it has a cozy setting with seating close together. All-In Coffee Shop is open 7 a.m.-6 p.m. on Monday-Thursday and 7 a.m.-8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Brackett Hall
Brackett Hall is a great on-campus option with plenty of open space to work by yourself or with groups. Brackett Hall is my favorite place to meet up with study groups, because it is such a neutral location for your classmates, and after 4:30 p.m., the employee spots outside are available to park in for those who have commuter passes.
Cooper Library
Cooper Library is a classic on-campus option that must be mentioned. There’s a reason whenever college students are characters in a movie, there is usually a scene in the library. Would you really be in college if you didn’t stay working in the library until it got dark?
Starbucks
College student = Caffeine-dependent life form. There is a reason why Starbucks is a multibillion-dollar company that has many locations at college campuses across the United States. There are three Starbucks locations on campus—McAlister, Douthit and Cooper Library. Typically McAlister’s Starbucks is the hardest one to get seating in, but overflow seating is available at Cane’s, Twisted Taco (when open) and outside.
The print edition of this article erroneously attributed the author as Akim Koutsioukis. The Tiger regrets this error and has since corrected it.
