Ten places on campus you shouldn’t forget about
Done with the masses in Butler? Bored of the lawns? Want a break from studying, but don’t know where to go? Here are ten spots on campus you may have forgotten about that are perfect places to study or just hang out.
Brooks Hall lounge. Photography by Jeanine Huang/The Barnard Bulletin
By Luisa Nahr
November 9, 2024
With the fall semester in full swing, it can often be hard to find a good spot on campus. No matter if you want to study, relax, or chat with friends, it can feel like there’s nowhere left to explore. We’ve all had to make multiple laps though Butler and Milstein trying to find a nice spot to sit or head back to our dorm dejected when we can’t find a comfy place to hang out. If you are looking for a fun new place to explore or hang out, then look no further: here is a Barnard senior’s guide to ten lesser-used spaces on campus that you shouldn’t forget about!
1. Business & Economics Library in Uris
No more walking aimlessly around Butler trying to find a seat; this Uris Library has you covered. Despite its name, the Business and Economics Library in Uris is open to anyone, non-business students included. Not only is there plenty of seating, but the Uris library also has a plethora of bookable study rooms, with two floors of private study spots, and unlike those in Butler or Milstein, they don’t get booked up weeks in advance! Its convenient location to Chef Mike’s also makes it a great place to set up shop and do work with a sub.
2. Teachers College Gottesman Libraries
You might forget that undergrads have access to this amazing library, but don’t discount it just because it’s a little off-campus. Situated on 120th Street and Broadway, not only does this space have plenty of study space, but it also has an amazing secret: treadmill desks! Even better than a standing desk, the treadmill desks allow you to get a workout in while doing school work — talk about two birds-one stone! Located on the first floor of the Teachers College library, these are a must-use for when you want to run a mile while also finishing your course readings.
3. Milstein Center fifth floor
Trying to get work done, but there are no seats left in Milstein? Think again! This small nook on the fifth floor is the perfect sunny spot to set up shop! Take the elevators to the fifth floor, go through the doors on your left and you will find a lovely, and often empty, location to get to studying. This room is complete with comfy green chairs, couches, and tables, and it even has a full-wall chalkboard that comes with chalk (unlike the white-erase boards!). Be sure to make your way to this floor if all other seats in Milstein look taken!
4. Diana Center sixth floor
This secluded spot on the top floor of Diana is the perfect hidden gem. Conveniently located in one of the busiest buildings on campus, this floor is a great place for any occasion. Ashley Rapp (BC ‘25) calls it “one of the comfiest and quietest places to eat your burrito bowl, and if you happen to be in there during the set up or hosting of a campus wide event, you can be invited to do a craft — which is fun!” Stop by here and enjoy the beautiful mural, catch up with friends, enjoy a Diana meal, or relax between classes!
5. Northwest Corner Building
Also known as “NoCo,” this building mostly houses chemist, biology, and physics offices and classrooms. On the second floor, however, sits Joe Coffee, one of the best places to get a drink and do work. The beautiful floor-to-ceiling windows offer excellent people watching and amazing sunlight, and there are practically always seats available for the taking. Grab an oat latte and a pastry and enjoy the view while doing your readings or relaxing with friends!
6. Brooks Hall lounge
You don’t have to be a first-year to make use of this cozy study spot. Also known as Lewis Parlor, this lounge on the first floor of Brooks Hall is a beautiful, comfortable, and little-used space where you can fulfill your dark-academia dreams (without having to go to Butler). If you prefer to do your readings or problem sets in a quieter environment, this is the perfect place to go! Because it isn’t a formal library, it’s also always open and a great place to go for late-night study sessions, especially since it is so conveniently located in the Quad!
7. Milbank Hall courtyard
If you’re looking for a nice place to sit outside on Barnard’s campus that isn’t Futter Field, head to the courtyard outside Milbank Hall! You probably walk by it often on your way to class, but next time, go ahead and take a seat! Huge tables with plenty of chairs and benches in the cute alcoves make this the perfect space to eat a meal, do group work, or take a break and enjoy the beautiful nature — it’s the perfect spot for those who love to pigeon-watch.
8. Earl Hall steps
We all know the Low Library steps as one of the quintessential spots for students to hangout outside, but if the masses on Low get you down, simply make a left and head to Earl Hall! These shady steps are a great place to hangout away from the main hustle and bustle of college walk. The Earl steps are the perfect place to enjoy your Chef Mike’s sandwich or complete your annotations, and still allow you to enjoy the outdoors with less of a crowd.
9. Arthur Ross Greenhouse
Housed on the top of Milbank Hall is one of the most beautiful places on campus, the Arthur Ross Greenhouse. It isn’t just used for classes and research — they also host open visiting hours on Fridays from 1-3 p.m.! Take a break from studying, stop by, embrace the warmth, check out some cool plants, and chat with the student workers who can give you great info on the vast biodiversity of the space!
10. Barnard Hall bookshelf
Some might have noticed a bookshelf on the fourth floor of Barnard Hall, but what many people don’t know is that it is actually its own mini library! This shelf houses books that are free for the taking, courtesy of the Barnard English department. You can also drop off or exchange any unwanted books there for others to grab, so it’s the perfect place to leave that coursebook from two semesters ago and allow others to get some use out of it! The comfy chairs right next to it also offer a comfortable reading space! “There’s a variety of books from different genres,” Alex Arredondo (BC ‘25) explains. “I think it’s a very sweet way to interact with the college’s book collection in a non library setting.”