As midterms are approaching, many students are scurrying around to find the perfect study spot, whether that be a cozy cafe on campus, or a quiet library study room.

Students usually like to stick to their campus when seeking a study spot, due to the proximity to classes and dormitory. It can also feel pleasant to study among other students at one's own university. Unfortunately, those spots aren’t always easy to find for international students. Some of those hidden gems are often kept a secret among local students to preserve the quiet and comfortable nature of the study space. The library too, can be confusing to navigate, especially if a reservation system is involved. 

Here at Sejong University, we have a rather small campus compared to other universities, which means that a lot of the study spaces and cafes outside the university library are tucked away in random buildings without much promotion. I’m constantly discovering new spots every day! 

A good first tip is to check the university website and check out the map or the facilities page. You will pretty much find where every cafe or study spot is without much trouble. It is essential that the information is up to date though! For example, here at Sejong, we have this page that briefly describes a number of locations on campus:  

       http://en.sejong.ac.kr/eng/academics/Facilities.do

Yet, a lot has changed in the past 4 months alone, so some of this information is already outdated. So, I will refer to a couple of my favorite spots to study here at Sejong University!

This may seem like an obvious option, but many international students like me tend to avoid using the university library due to how scary and complicated the reservation system can be. Our university library consists of 10 floors, but only four to five floors are commonly used. The basement, first, and third floors all contain reading rooms, in which you can reserve a spot at a desk to study in a silent environment. The seats are very comfortable and there are individual desks as well for more privacy, all equipped with reading lights and plugs to charge your devices.

The students are very diligent in keeping the environment clean and quiet, so this can be a perfect spot for those of us who cannot stand any noise while studying! The reservation system is a little confusing at first, but all you have to do is let the machine scan your student ID, then you may choose any empty seat you’d like for your preferred hour. 

If, like me, you are not fond of studying in zero decibel spaces, then our library has an option for you too! The second floor in particular, boasts clean study spaces with the most comfortable chairs. From bean bags for a quick nap to soft and large sofas, the student lounge is a favorite for many at our university. It’s perfect for group meetups or a quick break after classes, especially since it doubles as a small cafe that only students can access with their IDs. 

The fourth floor contains group study rooms, equipped with digital boards and a big desk for group projects. These rooms can be reserved in advance through the student portal, and they can be a great option for in depth projects that require more time and focus.