Study Locations

Lots of people have negative feelings towards Becker Library as a study space and I get it, I do. If you choose to haunt the basement level, you may lose track of the days amid the rows on rows of stacks, taunted by the broken coffee machine, and reevaluating your life choices. Perhaps you’ll choose to study on the first floor — you masochist. I’ve stared into the depths of the soulless eyes of a first-floor dweller who has spent 10+ hours at the same table, in the same chair, watching people come and go but unable to do the same. Those poor things. Alternatively, you can venture up to the second floor where you’ll likely feel too exposed at the group study tables or the third floor where the silence of the quiet study space will oppress you. I shudder at the thought. If you’ve read this far, good for you. I’ll let you in on the secret of the best study spot in Becker (and dare I say, all of campus). It’s the Center for the History of Medicine. If you can make it past the terror of those other places, you’ll find yourself in an oasis of warm tones, wood panels, historic medical devices which provide great distractions from studying. There are group study tables and individual study spaces if you want to be antisocial. And the best part is that not many people use this space so you can blast music, take a dance break, ruminate on the meaning of life with no one watching. Darn, I may have just blown up my own spot.

If you are an enthusiastic on-campus studier like me, you will love the carrels at WashU School of Medicine! I prefer to separate my living and study spaces, and the carrels are the perfect study environment away from home. There are spaces for every need — individual workstations, small conference rooms, larger classrooms (with standing desks!), and multiple common spaces with abundant natural light and stunning views of campus. Many of these areas contain whiteboards and projectors/screens to accommodate all learning styles and facilitate collaboration. One of the highlights of my school week includes watching Zoom lectures with friends (masked and socially distanced) in the larger classrooms. It’s amazing that we have access to spaces that enable us to safely simulate an in-person lecture during weeks when we have few in-person sessions scheduled.

The carrels address wellness needs too; on the third and fourth floors, there are student lounges with a nap pod, massage chair, cozy couches, and a kitchenette equipped with a Keurig, refrigerator, and microwave. Occasionally, there will be leftover food from events or homemade treats from classmates, which are lovely pick-me-ups. Whether you are looking for a quiet, individual study grind or a venue to study with friends, the carrels have it all. I would absolutely recommend exploring them as you acclimate to medical school!

Do you feel sick of Zoom classes and late-night study sessions at home? Going to campus can be super motivating and fun, but exam week is around the corner, and the vibes on campus are just not immaculate. This is when I tend to escape the med school bubble and go to cute local coffee shops and libraries. My go-to coffee shops are Northwest Coffee and Rise. (If you could see these places, you would never leave!) I also took a suggestion from one of our Health, Equity and Justice leads (thanks, Audrey!) and checked out GORGEOUS Central Library in downtown St. Louis! Think Dark Academia YouTube playlist except it has come to life, and you get to study there — for free.

I’ve gotten pretty into studying in coffee shops, and luckily there are some good options around campus. There’s a cafe on the ground level of the Farrell Learning and Teaching Center (FLTC) that has really good coffee and food. It’s a great spot to hang out or work. There is also a Starbucks nearby, and while we all like to pretend we don’t like it, we admit they have good coffee. There’s also a local coffee shop called Kaldi’s, with one location in the Mid Campus Center building and another just 8–10 minutes from campus, that has next-level pastries.

Becker Library!? But I haven’t even met her! For real — I don’t go there. I literally moved a whole study table into the heart of the student lounge where the TV and the couches are because it has the best vibes; floor to ceiling windows, lots of natural light, and a beautiful view of St. Louis. Am I at school or on vacation? I don’t know.

If you are an enthusiastic on-campus studier like me, you will love the carrels at WashU School of Medicine! I prefer to separate my living and study spaces, and the carrels are the perfect study environment away from home. There are spaces for every need — individual workstations, small conference rooms, larger classrooms (with standing desks!), and multiple common spaces with abundant natural light and stunning views of campus. Many of these areas contain whiteboards and projectors/screens to accommodate all learning styles and facilitate collaboration. One of the highlights of my school week includes watching Zoom lectures with friends (masked and socially distanced) in the larger classrooms. It’s amazing that we have access to spaces that enable us to safely simulate an in-person lecture during weeks when we have few in-person sessions scheduled.

The carrels address wellness needs too; on the third and fourth floors, there are student lounges with a nap pod, massage chair, cozy couches, and a kitchenette equipped with a Keurig, refrigerator, and microwave. Occasionally, there will be leftover food from events or homemade treats from classmates, which are lovely pick-me-ups. Whether you are looking for a quiet, individual study grind or a venue to study with friends, the carrels have it all. I would absolutely recommend exploring them as you acclimate to medical school!

Since coming to medical school, I have been most productive while studying at home. I am able to grab snacks and coffee easier while in my apartment. In addition, I have my cat to keep me company while I catch up on lectures. Studying at home also allows me to take quick study breaks or the occasional much-needed nap. As an aside, the Farrell Learning and Teaching Center (FLTC) where our classes are held and Becker Library can get cold, so I often have to put on a coat if I study there for too long.