At Harvard, there is no shortage of incredible places to study, from the famous Widener Library to lesser-known location such as the Biolabs Courtyard. But throughout my first year here, I've discovered that each spot lends itself to a particular activity or type of studying. So read on to learn more about what each location is best for!

Best When the Weather is Nice: Harvard Yard 

If the sun is out and the temperature is above 50 degrees, there is no place I'd rather study than Harvard Yard. The historic buildings surrounding you and the warm sunlight filtering through the trees provide immaculate studying vibes. Plus, you'll inevitably get to say hello to some of your friends as they walk by on their way to class!  

Best for Locking In: Widener Library 

If I have a lengthy paper to write or a reading to complete, you can be certain that I'll be in Widener Library's Loker Reading Room. As Harvard's flagship library, Widener is exactly what I imagined a perfect library would look like: thousands of books lining the shelves, wooden tables with gold lamps, incredible views of Harvard Yard, and even a historic Gutenberg Bible! Virtually every paper I've been assigned was written in this room, and the huge, cozy chairs at the far ends of the room provide a great place to read. 

Best Views: Smith Campus Center

The Smith Campus Center, a 10-story building located in the heart of Harvard Square, easily has the best views of Boston and the Charles River you can find. Spacious, comfortable seating, floor-to-ceiling windows, and the soft instrumental music playing from the overhead speakers give the 10th floor of Smith a wonderfully bright, modern ambience. Often, I will grab a drink from Pavement Coffee on the first floor before heading up to the 10th floor to study while watching the sunset over the Charles River. 

Best for Late Nights: Law School Library 

The Harvard Law School Library is located just a few minutes away from Harvard Yard and is open to all students (including undergraduates). In addition to the beautiful, Widener-esque atmosphere, it is generally much quieter than other libraries and is open late, making it another great place to write a paper or work on a pset. 

Best for Community & Food: Annenberg Hall

Annenberg Hall, the Hogwarts-esque first-year dining hall, is open every night from 9-11pm for “brain break,” during which snacks and drinks are served to fuel your late-night study sessions. During this time, many students also use Annenberg as a collaborative study spot. I stop by brain break every night and also often linger for an hour or two to work on a pset or just talk with my friends. 

Best for Collaboration & Psetting: Cabot Science Library 

If you like a bright, modern, collaborative atmosphere when studying, Cabot Science Library is the place for you! This three-level, 24-hour library has a mix of bookable group study rooms, colorful personal study cubes, and desks for working collaboratively, as well as a full suite of tech services (cameras, printers, etc.). For many first-year STEM students, Cabot becomes a second home due to its proximity to classrooms and dorms, as well as the modern design that is quite conducive to collaboration on psets. 

Hidden Gem: Biolabs Courtyard 

Most first-year students never venture anywhere near the Biolabs Courtyard, which is a 10-minute walk from the heart of campus. However, during my very first week on campus, I got lost on my way to my Chinese language class and stumbled upon this beautiful spot. This area is the perfect balance of work and play: the picnic tables and benches are great spots to get work done, and the cornhole and volleyball court also make it a great place to unwind. Plus, as it is hidden behind several buildings, it is usually a very serene place to be! 

Best Dark Academia Vibes: Lamont Library

Lamont is one of the most popular 24-hour study spots for all students, particularly due to the Lamont Cafe, which serves a variety of beverages and snacks. (Students who frequent Lamont often refer to themselves as "Lamonsters"). It also has an incredible atmosphere that can be best described as the epitome of dark academia vibes!

House Libraries

In addition to the libraries and locations listed above, which are generally open to all students, each of Harvard's twelve upperclassman residential houses also have their own library, providing a great place to read or study without having to go too far from your dorm. They are also wonderful for building community among each house. I was recently sorted into Quincy House, and the beautiful Quincy Library is quickly becoming one of my favorite spots on campus. 

Other Great Spots: Graduate & Professional Schools

Undergraduates also have access to the vast majority of Harvard's graduate and professional school libraries and buildings, which offer a whole array of additional study spots. For example, I love to study in the Harvard Kennedy School of Government when I'm down by the Charles River, and the Harvard Medical School lawn is a favorite among students conducting biomedical research.