Hi everyone! I’m Tom, a third (and final) year Law with Business student at the Penryn Campus in Cornwall. Originally from Essex, it took me quite a while to adjust to the quieter lifestyle on the Penryn Campus. But, after 2 years, I have grown accustomed to the lifestyle here and I love to study here. This only begs the question: where are the best places to study on the Penryn Campus?
Discovering the ideal study spot on campus is quite possibly one of the most crucial parts of university life. Of course we all want to find a place where we’ll be most productive, whether we’re squeezing in some last-minute reading in between lectures or writing an essay. If you’re anything like me, it took me a while to uncover the best spots on campus as they’re generally not well publicised. Luckily there are plenty of nice, comfortable and safe places to study on campus. Today I will be sharing my favourite spots to study on the Penryn Campus, whether I’m studying alone or working with a group. Hopefully this will help accelerate the process of finding your own study spots, so that you can start calling them your own favourites sooner rather than later!
Peter Lanyon Study Lounges
If you need some quiet time away from the bustling library and prefer working on your own, take a walk down to the study lounges in the Peter Lanyon building as they might be perfect for you. Personally I’ve recently grown fond of working in the upstairs lounge, instead of the library, as the dark moody interior lighting helps me switch off from the outside world and focus on my work. Not to mention, the seats are much more comfortable! Of course this darker lighting isn’t for everyone, with another study lounge in the Peter Lanyon building that resembles a more typical working space which may be more suitable for you. If you haven’t tried studying here, I would recommend it as a nice way to escape from the sometimes overwhelmingly busy library!
Located on the second floor, the upstairs lounge has quick access to toilets which are directly opposite in case you ever need a quick toilet break. Moreover, the building itself is right next to Koofi should you ever get peckish and need something to eat or drink in between breaks of studying.
Daphne Du Maurier Study Lounge
As an alternative to the Peter Lanyon lounges, there is a study lounge on the top floor of the Daphne Du Maurier (DDM) building. This study lounge shares similar benefits such as the modern, unique layout, and comfy chairs. However, this study lounge differs from the one in the Peter Lanyon building as it has brighter, vibrant lighting. It all depends on what works for you, but this lighting may be more beneficial if you find that the brighter lighting keeps you concentrated and awake.
This is another nice and quiet place to study as it is smaller and a lot less busy than the library, allowing you to focus on work with very limited distractions. The DDM Study lounge is also closer to the library than the Peter Lanyon building, so working here may be more worthwhile if you know you need to go back-and-forth to the library for your reading resources.
Exchange Courtyard
Exchange Courtyard can be a great option for both individual and group study. These rooms can be booked online, with some seminar rooms being readily available throughout the day. The seminar rooms boast natural lighting with floor to ceiling windows, providing a private space for group discussions, projects, and work to take place. There are also a number of booths outside these rooms which are ideal for working in groups that don’t necessarily need, nor want, the seclusion of their own room.
Personally, I prefer working in the single/smaller study rooms in the Courtyard that shut you away in your own little space, free from distractions. This allows me to focus and be more productive. I find these rooms are particularly helpful in the final days before an essay is due as it provides me with a fully private and individual space to concentrate on when working towards an important deadline. I find myself here on weekends, where the rooms are less likely to be booked out. Like the group booths, there are also some single/smaller study booths in the Courtyard which you may prefer if you don’t want to work in the complete silence of your own room.
The Exchange Courtyard is conveniently close to the library, making it relatively easy to grab any resources you may need. Meanwhile, the short walk to the library provides fresh air and a much needed break when trying to study here.
Sustainability Café
If you require a change of scenery from more serious working spaces, it can sometimes be nice to work in a more social setting. The Sustainability Café in the Upper Stannary is an ideal place to work, eat or drink, and catch up with friends. The menu offers a range of food, and hot/cold drinks, with daily deals which certainly help you stick to a student budget. Feel no obligation to buy something here though, it is simply a nice social space with the option of buying food/drink!
The Café can be a great option when you still want to do work, but need a break from intense periods of studying, or simply want to catch up with friends without feeling guilty about not doing any work. I feel like sitting and working here is a nice way to break up the day, especially if you’re on Campus all day. There is additional seating outside in the Upper Stannary if the Café is too loud for you to concentrate on work, but still need a hot drink to keep you going.
Productivity is key to a student’s studying life, and so finding a suitable study space that works for you is equally as important. I have recommended a variety of spots that may be suitable for your needs, whether you prefer a quiet solo study space, or group work in a more social setting. Ultimately, it is down to you to try these and discover which study spaces work for you.
I hope these suggestions are useful and can help you be more productive on campus, just as they’ve helped me!
Tom