Need a study spot? Imprint’s got you covered!

UW student life will encompass a large portion of your time being spent studying — after all, no rewards come without hard work. Unlike high school, you have a whole campus and beyond of study spots to choose from. However, with so many choices, it’s hard to know what’s the best option to choose when study sessions are demanding.  

Charging ports are crucial to a study spot. Imagine picking a nice place to work only to find your devices are running out of battery and the spot you picked does not have plugs. Now you have to find a new place to study that actually has somewhere to charge your devices. This dilemma is even worse during exam season when all the study spots are taken up.  

To get the most advantage from your study spots, make sure to be early. Book the rooms a few days in advance and come to the buildings early to ensure you get the best spot that there is to offer. As they say, early bird catches the worm! 

Dana Porter Library: 

If you need a study spot, any library has always got your back! The Dana Porter Library has several floors to choose from depending on what particular need you have for that study session. Working in a group? Floor ten has group tables and whiteboards. Need silence? Head to floor seven or eight for that ambience. Want some quiet instead? Floors six and nine are quiet floors, meaning they allow minimal noise. Prefer a room to yourself? There are multiple floors you could book a room on like main, three, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten.  

With a water fountain on floor three, bathrooms on most floors, charging ports as far as the eye can see, and a café on the main floor, Dana Porter has every base covered for the perfect study spot. You will need for nothing! 

Student Life Centre:  

The Student Life Centre (SLC) is extremely versatile in what it can provide for students, especially those who need a spot to study. SLC is filled to the brim with tables to study, including their study lounge on floor three. There are multiple different rooms that students will have the choice to book in the SLC from the Turnkey desk. Rooms range in size depending on how many people you’re expecting. No matter the size, there will always be a plug. However, each room is only available for three hours as the maximum limit (if you book in advance). Late study sessions are also accommodated at the SLC with the building being open 24/7.  

If you’re feeling hungry or need a pick-me-up, the SLC has multiple different food places to choose from. The Flock Stop is one option with a wide array of drinks, treats, and meals, in addition to being open 24/7 as well.  

Quantum Nano Centre (QNC) and the Science Teaching Complex (STC): 

QNC has its own unique study spots for students to use. On the first and second floor, there are a series of two-seater tables next to a wall of windows. These tables feature a gorgeous view of the Peter Russell Rock Garden outside. While working, it may be relaxing to some if they can glance over a nice landscape once in a while.

If you find the scenery and human traffic too distracting, head to the second floor of QNC. Down the hallway featuring the aforementioned tables, there are elevators. After going up a level, you’ll be greeted by more two-seater tables, except the disruptive view has been replaced by bricks. Moreover, going further into the second floor, you can find a study lounge with group tables and lounge chairs.

Cafés:

Studying in a café to get some atmosphere and ambience is always a favourite! The Funcken Café at St. Jerome’s University is a great place to go if you want to stay on campus. Funcken has a brighter environment with windows in the front and a dimmer environment in the back to suit your preferences. A highlight of cafés has always been the food options. Funcken offers amazing matcha lattes and customizable bagels and sandwiches.

Uptown Waterloo features some cafés that are nice to study in like Princess Café and Café 22. To get to Uptown Waterloo, you can take the Fairway Station ION at University of Waterloo Station until it stops at Willis Way.

After ordering a drink or meal from Princess Café, you can go to the room across the order counter to find a series of tables with outlets nearby. You can lay out all your notes on the four-seater table or have your friends join you at the table.  

Café 22 has a dim yet captivating environment, allowing for a focused study period. During a break or as a reward, you can treat yourself to one of the delicious desserts they have on display.