Study spaces: you can find them anywhere. Especially with the return of diploma exams and finals, with at least a somewhat higher weighting than last year, any student can attest that finding a good study space was essential in the process of maintaining focus to study this past exam season. With the rush of exams having just passed, I thought it appropriate to share some of the places within the city that I found great in the city.
Libraries
Libraries have long remained a classic study space for students of any age to drop by, and for good reason. Many of the public libraries in Calgary can be suitable study places, providing a quiet place (with wifi!) to go over school material, however, the Calgary Central library remains to be one of my favorite spots within the city. Unsurprisingly, the building has garnered a large reputation among residents for being a popular study space for students looking for a quiet but spacious place to go to. While it can get slightly louder during the weekends, the top floors of the facility often muffle any volume of events. The option of booking a meeting room for larger group sessions always remains open as well to students, and Luke’s Coffee on the bottom floor can provide a much-needed caffeine boost if needed.
The Memorial Park Library is another popular place for high school or college students to go to. Not only is it accessible, its location bordering both south and north train terminals downtown, but the staff is widely considered to be incredibly accommodating for anyone who comes in.
Cafes
Coffee shops have been a study-friendly haven for years. Not only do cafes provide a quiet place with few distractions (depending on the cafe in particular), but they have been proven to increase alertness and creativity in the past. The caffeine and other assorted baked goods available are, of course, an added benefit. Now, there are far too many cafes and coffee shops littered around Calgary with their own individual charm and appeal for me to go through every single one, but here are some of my favorites at least.
Monogram Coffee has four different locations located in Calgary all with gorgeous natural light, clean and thoughtful space, minimalist decoration, friendly service, and delicious caffeinated beverages. It’s a perfect environment for studying or simply a comfortable place to go with friends for that break between exams. The fact that it is a local, independent business is just a nice boost.
If you don’t mind the potential business of the road nearby, the Oolong Tea House in Kensington is another great location. Their selection of teas is amazing for a cozy study session, and you can stay for hours without being bothered. I would recommend taking transit to get there if possible, just so nobody has to deal with the hassle of finding a parking space, but the cafe is definitely worth the trip if you want to get out of your house.
A bit of nature
Exam season often means long hours hunched over desks, whether they be inside your house or another of the previously mentioned locations, but studies have shown either getting outside or experiencing some more nature around you can actually help the review process. Research indicates that time spent in nature can be connected to mental and cognitive health benefits, as well as improvements in mood and well-being. While the Devonian Gardens are the only indoor public park in the city, the so-called “urban oasis” is perfect for the cold weather that Calgary can never seem to get rid of. Located on the top floor of the CORE Shopping Centre, the garden is home to waterfalls, trees, and thousands of plants all encased in it. It is easy to find a small corner of the lush and open spaces of the gardens to have some serene time to study.
However, if you are looking for something outdoors, the other public parks also offer a space for nice breaks. The green spaces green space outside of the Lougheed House, for example, are great for studying in warmer weather with more friends.
In the end, where you study all depends on where you feel most comfortable, but feel free to take advantage of the numerous spaces Calgary does provide. Maybe you will even find a new favorite in the next exam season yet to come.