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Recently, I’ve felt that every text thread to study with a group has ended with me sitting at a table in the UgLi third floor or searching for a spot in the Ross Winter Garden. While both of these spaces are great for studying, it’s easy to narrow your study sessions down to a few spots and not explore other options. Here are a few of my favorite spots to recommend to students looking for a change in pace!

The Michigan League

While not necessarily the most hidden spot, aside from lunch hours, The League is my personal favorite. Located in Ingalls Mall, The League is the perfect place to stop by in between classes to grab a coffee and a spot to study. It has everything: outlets in the cafe, a cozy atmosphere with natural light, and good music for ambiance. When the first floor is crowded on a busy day, you can also find more study spots in the basement with tables and large, circular booths for larger groups.

Located right next door, another underrated spot is the basement of the Alumni Center. While many students are familiar with the Alumni Center for their free bagel Wednesdays, there are usually a few tables available if you go down the spiral staircase. They also have a larger couch and a kitchen you can use downstairs.

The Hatcher Stacks

While seen by many as intimidating, the Hatcher stacks in the Hatcher Graduate Library are the perfect place for a long study session with friends. A silent atmosphere, the stacks are less a place for socializing and more a place to cram for a big exam or write a paper that you’ve been procrastinating on. Learning how to navigate the stacks is a vital task for all U-M students, and once you know your way around, you’ll never need to find another hidden spot for finals again.

Near the Hill: Central Campus Classroom Building and Palmer Commons

As a former Markley resident, I know all too well that sometimes studying closer to home is much more convenient for students living on the Hill. Luckily, the Central Campus Classroom Building (CCCB) is open to students every day of the week and has plentiful study spots on each floor, full of windows and natural light. From single booths to large tables, there is a study spot for all groups of students at the CCCB, especially in between lectures and in the evenings.

Located next to the Natural History Museum, there are always a few tables available at the Palmer Commons, which is a perfect place to stop in between nearby classes and has places to study on the first, fourth, fifth, and sixth floors. These spots are great for conversation, quiet study, or as a community space for friends.

Honorable Mentions

While not every study spot could make the list, a few of my other favorite spots on campus are; 

the School of Social Work basement, North Quad study nooks, tables at the U-M Museum of Art, the Natural History Museum, the Duderstadt on North Campus, and East Quad’s cafe.

The next time you find yourself feeling tired of the same study spot, use this list to discover somewhere new! From quiet basements surrounded by books to bright and open study tables, U-M is guaranteed to have a spot for every type of study session.