Violinists can place their bows in the ready position. The countdown to finals has begun. With only a month remaining and the weather becoming increasingly beautiful, it takes a strong will and determined mind to stay focused. The top five places to study can offer an alternative to the boring regiment of daily dorm, apartment and library studying, making the necessary slightly more exciting.
Pullen ParkOnly a 20 minute walk from campus, Pullen Park offers a reservoir of picnic tables and grassy knolls. The park has a frequent stream of bustling children, so it is ideal for students who want an atmosphere with background noise. When arriving, there are three different parking lots: one next to the train and children’s play area, one for the pool, and one at the top of the hill over looking the rest of the park. The further one moves up the parking lots, the less people and more serene surroundings. And in addition to the peaceful and scenic quality, the park has a great economic feature — nature’s free! So on a nice day pack a picnic, grab a blanket and sunbathe while internalizing Shakespearean sonnets.
HeliosHelios has so much more to offer other than the typical mocha latte on ice or double espresso. Students can crack open the books either inside with the typical coffee shop bustling or outside on the patio with the sounds of Glenwood Avenue in the background. Helios offers free wireless Internet, so anybody needing to research or communicate via online can do so easily. It’s a great, easy going, productive atmosphere for individuals or groups.
The North Carolina Museum of ArtGet inspired among the high art sculptures littering the fields surrounding the North Carolina Museum of Art. Another sensational outside option, the Museum is a gorgeous and quiet place to set up camp for a long afternoon of differential equations. Off of Blue Ridge Road, the museum is set back and surrounded by fields and gardens that a student can stow away in. And if ever a student needs a break or distraction, admittance to the museum is a free and educational amusement.
Cafe CycloConstructed in the middle of the Raleigh elitist center of Cameron Village, Cafe Cyclo is a posh way for a student to get his study on. Wireless Internet is available and the atmosphere is ideal during the day, but at night it transforms into a hot spot as fancy people stop in for martinis, margaritas and other various alcoholic beverages. The bar does allow for those old and suave enough to enjoy a cocktail while studying Plato and Aristotle. And for those under 21, the Cafe’s menu offers delectable coffee treats and the Asian cuisine is sure to please the study munchies.
The Court of North CarolinaRight in the backyard of Tompkins, Caldwell and Winston — the Court of North Carolina — is a treat to students usually stuffed inside buildings. A park-like atmosphere, the Court boasts an impressive array of Carolinian foliage along with signature brick N.C. State endowments. There are often student tossing Frisbees or playing guitar in this grassy knoll, creating a fun working environment. A student can prop up against a tree or spread out a blanket in the sun to soak up the differences between covalent and hydrogen bonds. The beauty nature offers can provide refuge for a student slaving over the books.
