As exams and final projects are on the horizon, Dana boarding students have discovered their own favorite study spots on campus and into Wellesley, each offering a different atmosphere for getting work done.
During the school day, most students prefer studying in Upper School buildings. “They’re usually really quiet, and the second floor gets a lot of light so I love studying up there. On the weekends, I also like to study in the art studio because of the huge windows,” Clio Petrulis ’27 said. Of course, the Helen Temple Cooke Library remains a classic choice for focused work. With its quiet atmosphere and variety of seating options, the library is ideal for students who want minimal distractions. Amelia Zhang ‘28 explained that her “favorite study spot on campus is the library, because it’s warm and cozy and I’m surrounded by people who are actively studying,” she said. “It sets up a good study mood for me.”
“I like going to the library because it is really quiet so I can get my thoughts out. The blue fluffy chairs are also a plus,” Brielle Melvin ’29 said.
Yilia Zhang ’29 and Tiffany Ding ’29 often go to the conference rooms in Erisman Student Center when they need to concentrate together. “We love going there during the weekends because they’re quiet but you can still talk if you’re studying with friends,” Yilia said. Tiffany added that having a private space makes it easier to review material or work through difficult homework problems without distractions or worrying about disturbing others.
Like many other students, Kayoon Lee ’26 says that her favorite spot “has to be the dorm”. “The atmosphere is very warm and comfortable so it really helps me focus on my study”, she said.
Off campus, many students enjoy studying in Wellesley’s cafés and public spaces. “When we don’t have school, I like going to the Wellesley Free Library because there are lots of tables and rooms for studying,” Amelia said. “Sometimes I can even find a window seat where I can look out at the yard while I work.” The walk there is part of the experience as well. “It takes a little bit of time to get there, but the walk feels refreshing,” Amelia pointed out. Kayoon added that the Wellesley public library is also her favorite study spot off-campus because being surrounded by books makes her study.
The mix of coffee beans, pastries, and background noise in Tatte could also be ideal for fueling motivation. “My favorite would be Tatte because I love getting a cup of matcha while working. Studying in Tatte feels relaxing and rewarding, and it helps me commit to working there for a longer period of time.” Ann Che ’27 said. For Ann, walking to Tatte is also like lowering “the buffer of ‘getting started’.
Some students go even further off-campus. For instance, Clio’s favorite study spot off campus is the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Admission is free under 18, so she likes “to go and sit outside to get work done. It’s a really inspiring environment to be productive in,” Clio said. For her, having natural light while she studies is a key motivation.
While some students prefer studying alone, others prefer studying around other people. Being in a shared space with strangers, Amelia said, helps her stay focused and avoid distractions. “Studying surrounded by people enables me to focus better and refrain from spending time on my phone.”
As finals approach, experimenting with different environments might help students discover where they focus best.