Best Places to Study on Campus | The University of Arizona

Life on campus can be hectic at times, with demanding schedules, classes, extracurricular activities and somehow still attempting to obtain a successful work-life balance. With so much going on, having a go-to study spot (or several options for some variety) is essential and luckily with such a large campus, there are plenty to choose from at The University of Arizona! Check out some of my favorites places in the list below:

1). UA Main Library

While libraries always rank high in terms of study spots, the University of Arizona’s is no different. At the main library, not only do you have access to media, computers, and study rooms, but also study locations with great views of the campus and mountains. With the first through third floors being more collaborative workspaces, you can also opt for the 4th and 5th floors, which serve as quiet study floors.

For my personal favorite locations in the library, I usually head up to the north side of the third floor which offers views overlooking the Santa Catalina mountains (which are especially nice when snowcapped in the winter), or the south side of the third floor overlooking Bear Down Field and Arizona Stadium framed by palm trees.

If you also need a study break for a caffeine pick-me-up or a quick snack, you’re in luck! The main library also has an attached Starbucks just outside the main entrance.

2). Turtle Pond

Seemingly hidden in plain sight, the campus turtle pond can easily be missed if you don’t know where it is. Located right on the corner of N Park Ave and E 2nd Street near Gila Dorm, the pond is surrounded by a garden area with palms and other flourishing greenery that shield it from the road. With some benches and seating around the area, relax by watching the turtles and fish that live there while you study, or just take a minute out of your busy day to rest in a quiet spot.

3). ENR 2 (Environmental & Natural Resources 2 Building)

Easily one of the most unique and beautiful buildings on the UArizona campus, the ENR2 building is certainly not to be missed - although it’s a little farther away from the other major sections of campus. Having been modeled after a slot canyon, you feel as if you’re stepping into your own secret garden with aluminum ribbons and hanging plants all around.

Since the space is so big there are a lot of different areas you can choose from. On the first level, the Slot Canyon Cafe is a good place to study with seating inside or outside, comfy chairs, and a nice atmosphere. Venturing a bit further up, the upper levels and even the rooftop have picnic tables and chairs around the perimeter, with the west side of the building offering views of downtown Tucson. Depending on what you’re looking for, whether it be more in the public on the ground floor or more secluded by greenery on the upper levels, it’s always a cozy place to be.

4). Medical Campus

If you want to completely get out of the hustle and bustle of the main campus to study, take a short trip over to the medical campus. While it’s a bit of a walk, the medical campus is easily accessible using the SunLink Streetcar and taking it to the last stop, Helen & Warren (only 4 stops after the stop at Main Gate Square), and always seems to be extremely quiet.

At the medical campus itself, there are various areas to work from close to the entrance with trees and an outdoor seating area, the courtyard between the BIO5 office and Catalyst Cafe, dozens of study areas in the Health Sciences Innovation Building, and the medical library.

5). Optical Sciences Building

Also near the main library, the Optical Sciences Building may be a more off-the-beaten-path study spot. Constructed as an abstract version of a dark room, the facade of the building is covered in widows, giving plenty of light inside, and also creating great reflections in the evening of the sunset and palm trees that line the mall in front of it.

Heading up to the 8th floor, there’s an indoor study room and outdoor patio area that students can utilize, and is a great “escape” in the middle of campus. With a mix of large and small tables, it’s the perfect spot for groups or individuals in need of a space to work or study all while overlooking the Arizona mall and Santa Catalina mountains.

6). Old Main

As the first building at the University of Arizona, Old Main is still synonymous with the campus at large and one of the first things people see upon arrival. Although it no longer serves as a classroom today, the building is still open to the public and has several seating areas on the veranda as well as the outside bottom level. As long as tours of the campus aren’t ongoing, the area is relatively quiet being close enough to anything you need on campus, but out of the way of the crowded portions.

7). The ILC (Integrated Learning Center)

Another spot close to the main library is the Integrated Learning Center, a sublevel that attaches the north side of the University of Arizona mall to the main library underground. The area itself is relatively quiet, with not many people going there unless they have class in one of the auditoriums or coming from the lower level of the main library, making it a good place for studying.

With seating areas throughout the ILC, it’s particularly a nice place to sit in the early spring (around March) when the trees are flowering throughout. Better yet, if you’re in need of some other studying supplies or a quick snack, it’s located close enough to the main library and cafes to take a quick pit stop.

8). Bear Down Gymnasium

As one of the oldest buildings at the college, having been built in 1925, the Bear Down Gymnasium on the UA mall is a staple to the university’s character. Initially, the space was used for the UArizona basketball and gymnastics team until the McKale Center was constructed in 1973, but since then has been renovated multiple times to suit students’ needs throughout the years.

Most recently, the building has been renovated to house the BearDown Rec, market, Think Tank, writing services, and more as a part of the new Student Success District, however one thing that has remained the same - the basketball court. Today students can still sit in the bleachers or at some smaller tables overlooking the court where the University’s team used to play while getting work done, not far from places to grab a snack or academic help. Better yet, since it’s only been recently renovated, it seems to be relatively quiet during the day and night.

9). Women's Plaza of Honor

Located between Centennial Hall and the Arizona State Museum near the main entrance of the University, the Women’s Plaza of Honor combines a plaza and walkway that not only helps connect campus but also creates an inviting gathering place.

In the plaza itself, the sculptural archways give natural places to sit in the public circle, or further along, there are various seats along the walkway as well as under some citrus trees. While the space may get a little busy during passing periods/in between classes or when there’s a play at Centennial Hall, it’s still a peaceful part of campus to relax and get some work done.

10). Outside the Arizona State Museum

For another outdoor study spot, head to the grassy lawn outside the Arizona State Museum located across from the Women’s Plaza of Honor (the previous study location). With a quiet, outdoor setting and views of the University’s lined palm tree roads and Old Main, it’s a great spot to unwind after a long day, or study between classes.

With the mild Arizona autumns and winters, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy the outdoors while still getting work done. Better yet, for longer study sessions, you can easily make it into a picnic by bringing some food and a blanket to relax!

11). McClelland Hall Witt Courtyard

For those studying at the Eller College of Management, it’s also important to have a go-to spot since it’s a little disconnected from the main campus. The quickest escape from all the classrooms is the McClelland Hall Witt Courtyard on the 1st floor. Located in the middle of Eller, the airy outdoor space, it’s a great spot to study if most of your classes are at Eller with shaded tables and chairs.

Venturing up to the other levels as well, the areas around the courtyard offer shaded seating areas (around floor 2) as well as balconies overlooking the space (floors 4 and 5).

12). The College of Education Library

One of what I would argue is the little-known hidden gems on the University of Arizona campus is the College of Education’s library. Located on the fourth floor, the library allegedly boasts over 40,000 children’s books from around the world. While it’s a non-circulating library, meaning you can’t check the books out, it’s still fun to spend some time perusing the shelves and seeing what they have.

In terms of studying, the library creates a quiet atmosphere with window benches overlooking the Catalina mountains, the perfect place to sit down and get to work.

13). Underneath the Pangolin Gridshell

Another option close to the Eller College of Management and the rest of the north campus is underneath the Pangolin Gridshell outside of CAPLA (the College of Architecture, Planning & Landscape Architecture). Located right before the Olive St. underpass, the gridshell was constructed to resemble that of a pangolin and was a collaborative project led by Dalhousie University’s Coastal Studio.

Since the structure is open, it allows for foot traffic and still feels like an outdoor space even though you’re under a shaded structure. With plenty of moving seats and tables, it’s a great place to hang out for a bit and get some work done.