Off-campus study spots swap silence for sweets

Spring may have officially arrived this week, but for students who still have a month and a half of class left and chilly weather to put up with, it doesn't mean much. And while those with a bad case of cabin fever may not be able to go outside and enjoy the sun, they can get out of their dorms and the libraries and head to other locations to do their work.

The atmosphere of the bedroom often seems like a great place to study, but places of residence, whether it be a dorm or apartment, aren't always the best options when it comes to staying focused and dwindling down the overwhelming list of homework, projects and papers.

"Look for a place that doesn't have distractions," said Gerrard Godwin, an academic advisor in Student Advising Services. "A dorm room is never a good idea. After a while, that bed can look awfully inviting."

Godwin added that video and computer games, as well as television, are becoming increasingly distracting to students who study while at home. Spending the day in the library may seem a drag, but there are many off-campus locations that can be very appealing, and a little bit more fun, to get some work done.

Barnes and Noble Bookstore, on Niagara Falls Boulevard, offers a lot in terms of an effective studying atmosphere.

While certain aspects of a bookstore may not seem much different from a library, Barnes and Noble is a warm and quiet place that adds soft background music to take away from the stark quietness of the library environment.

The bookstore provides small worktables, oversized chairs, and a caf?(c) equipped with plenty of Starbucks coffee as well as The Cheesecake Factory desserts. In addition, the abundance of books found in the store, from nursing and psychology to photography, might come in handy as references or study guides.

"I like the atmosphere here better than the library," said Jaimee Pillsbury, a senior psychology and communication major who comes to Barnes and Noble to study two to three times per week. "I can grab coffee here," she said.

Pillsbury only uses the books in the store on occasion. She works only with the materials she brings into the store.

The upstairs of Wegman's Carryout Caf?(c) on Alberta Drive off of Maple Road is another option, especially for times when it seems like grabbing a bite to eat and cramming for the afternoon class just won't fit into one lunch hour.

Away from all the commotion of the typical supermarkets, this section of Wegman's provides a spacious, well-lit, professional environment that sets a relaxed mood for working on projects or just doing some reading.

And of course, when talking about studying, coffee shops like Starbucks are an obvious option.

The Starbucks on Niagara Falls Boulevard is less than a 10 minute ride away and offers a calmer atmosphere than the UB location, where people come to relax and concentrate rather than grab a caramel macchiato two minutes before running to class.

While it can get busy and somewhat noisy at times, there is a small area in the back of the caf?(c) that allows an escape from the commotion of the rest of the customers and those who come to talk.

"The busiest times are probably weekends from 11 a.m. through early evening and weeknights after 7 p.m.," said Amy Ward, a Starbucks employee.

Ward said she often sees students come to study and get a cup of coffee. She recommended that students looking for quiet study time come on weekday mornings or early afternoons.

Lastly, Cold Stone Creamery, an ice cream shop on the corner of Maple and Transit roads is a great place to go to study and cure that sweet tooth at the same time.

Although Cold Stone doesn't offer coffee to stimulate the brain and keep you awake, it does offer some of the best ice cream around, which can be a good reward for an overworked mind.

The somewhat small creamery can get noisy at times, but would be a great place to meet a friend and go over notes or review for an exam. With plenty of two-person tables, the modern ice cream shop can be motivational, especially as the weather gets warmer.

Although there are numerous places to study on campus, many students find getting out once in a while a welcome change.

"Studying isn't fun for anyone, and sitting in the library, even with a group of friends can be boring," said Alexandria Hassan, a senior social sciences major. "Finding new places to do work makes it a little more bearable."