For many Ateneans, ringing in the new year also means a new semester is just around the corner. There are more challenging classes, a different set of profs, and another chance to reach your dream QPI. It’s no surprise that students tend to flock to the library and Katipunan coffee shops during the busier days of the sem, making it almost impossible to find a place to work. Not to worry; Vantage has compiled a list of some in-campus study spots for you to escape to the next time you need to focus.
I. Loyola School of Theology
A Line A e-Jeep ride away from the constant bustle of the Ateneo is the Loyola School of Theology or LST. There are tables and chairs just outside LST, overlooking a scenic view of Marikina City—you might even catch the serene outline of the Sierra Madre mountains on a clear day. If you’re really looking to disconnect from the world and focus on your readings, LST eliminates the urge to check on your favorite website with their staff and employee-only Wi-Fi. The LST cafeteria, on the other hand, is open to all students for when hunger strikes mid-reading. LST is the place to go if you prefer to work outdoors and in nature, rather than in an airconditioned library with twenty other stressed-out students.
II. Ateneo Library of Women’s Writing
The Ateneo Library of Women’s Writing (ALIWW) is found at the first floor of the Old Rizal Library building, behind a small door next to the Red Brick Road book chute. Aiming for a productive study break? Browse through ALIWW’s Filipina-made art and literature catalogs to foster your appreciation for outstanding local work. Unlike LST, Wi-Fi connection and cell signal are stable in this area of the library, and there are power outlets—albeit a few—around the room. Drop by ALIWW if you need to work in complete silence and be sure to bring a jacket to battle the center’s freezing cold temperatures.
III. Microforms & Digital Readings Center
Next to the ALIWW is the Microforms & Digital Readings Center. If you’re lucky enough to snag a table here, it can quickly become your next favorite study spot. Microforms are tiny copies of archived materials put into film rolls—extremely helpful for those Filipino or History papers with specific reference requirements—that can be viewed on the specialized machines inside the room. It’s incredibly quiet inside the area, with the only noise coming from the hum of a few computers and students looking through the center’s extensive microfilm collection. Aside from this, students looking to skip the line at the school’s usual printing spots will be happy to know that the center has a lesser-known printing facility with the same usual 3-peso rate per black and white page. The few individual study tables are also sizable, making it ideal for those who need the extra space to study more efficiently, but keep in mind that there aren’t any sockets around!
IV. Ebai’s at Cervini
Ebai’s, informally known as the Cervini Caf, can easily be overlooked by those who don’t stay in the dorms. However, the fresh bread and home-cooked meals might make you want to go to this gem of an establishment that is just a quick walk away from the main campus. It might be a struggle to find power outlets and OBF Wi-Fi doesn’t reach this far into school, but the space makes up for it with its other perks. With minimal noise in the area—aside from the regular lunch crowd around noon—Ebai’s is the ideal study place for when you want to hit the books and conveniently grab a snack at the same time. The setting is also very friendly for group studying with its long tables and open space. Look no further for a perfect place to meet up with your blockmates in case Matteo or Rizal Library’s fifth floor are full.
A calm and clear mind is ideal for students who are toiling to reach their academic goals. These underrated areas around campus make it a lot easier to get in the right headspace and keep the study session rolling. Whether it’s for an intense solo review for orals or a lighthearted groupthink for a presentation, the school has no shortage of spaces that will help the studious, diligent, and hardworking Atenean thrive.
Photos by Izza Zamoranos. Edited by Nicola E. Roxas.