Newcastle University is abundant with places for students to go to for studying and to “lock in”. Some more obvious than others, there is a place for everyone to complete their assignments, whether in solace or in collaboration.
...the holy grail: The Phillip Robinson Library, more commonly known by the students of Newcastle University as the “Philly Rob”
I feel it is mandatory to begin with the holy grail: The Phillip Robinson Library, more commonly known by the students of Newcastle University as the “Philly Rob”. It is not bold to assume that every Newcastle student will have spent, or is yet to spend, many long, tedious hours here. This library does deserve its superiority title, as it offers everything a stressed, busy student could need. Multiple floors of seating, both silent and communal areas, a colossal collection of books, private study rooms to book out, and most importantly, the library café. Being one of the few buildings on campus open 24/7, there is never an excuse not to pay a visit to tackle some of those pesky assignments. Being a hive of activity and hard work, the Philly Rob is the most popular library on campus and therefore becomes a place of competition between students for a seat during exam season. In addition, there is an abundance of helpful staff members to assist any student struggles of queries.
Towards the end of my first year at university, I was lucky enough to discover King’s Gate. Primarily a building designated to student services, their recent refurbishment has transformed it into an oasis of calm. King’s Gate is found to the right of the outside steps up to the arches from the main road and traffic lights. For me, the real bonus of King’s Gate is its location; situated just minutes walk from most central campus building, it is the ideal place to review lecture notes or to sit and chill between a busy schedule. The floor to ceiling windows, natural greenery decoration, and a coffee bar and kitchen area makes this a perfect study spot. With a variety of seating options, this is my personal favourite location for both solo sessions and collaborative work.
The gentle buzz of people and the gorgeous smell of coffee is evidently a preferred setting for many students
A spot I have visited more than one might care to mention, The Grand coffee shop is a much-loved location to relieve some stress with a hot drink and a bite to eat. With both indoor and outdoor seating, this café is bustling with students all year round. A set up of a coffee and my laptop in The Grand is my ideal study arrangement- hours of concentration seem to pass by in minutes. The gentle buzz of people and the gorgeous smell of coffee is evidently a preferred setting for many students.
Depending on your degree, Newcastle University also offers a designated area in most course buildings for their school students to study. For example, the Percy Building has a foyer full of benches, ideal for groups to meet up for project work, and a student lounge on floor 1 with computers, booths and printers. In addition, the Armstrong Building has a spacious student lounge located on floor 2 with kitchen facilities, vending machines and an array of seating options. And the Henry Daysh building has a copious amount of seating in a modern, central location, with a café on the ground floor to provide an additional motivational boost.
Perhaps a more difficult find, the many floors in the Student's Union building provide a goldmine for spaces to lock-in. Venturing upstairs, there is an assortment of rooms designated to student study. Furthermore, going down the outdoor steps with Luther’s on the left, next to the Chicken Shack on the left, there is a lounge with sofas, desk seating, and computers.
Even Luther’s, our on-campus Wetherspoons, is used by many as a hot spot for studying. With unlimited coffee for less than £2 all day, it acts as a perfect location for casual study, fuelled by infinite caffeine (or maybe the desire for a cheeky drink as a reward for all your hard work!).
Yet, the above places give a secure place for any student to go for successful academic focus.
Other buildings I have personally not ventured into yet, the Old Library building, the Law Library, the Marjorie Robinson library are also notably popular study spots on campus. The list of spaces to lock-in on campus seems endless and more than likely some of the best locations I may have not yet discovered. Yet, the above places give a secure place for any student to go for successful academic focus.