Did you schedule a 1 hour tutorial for the entire day and you’re staying in the East? Need to escape that distracting home environment to complete that looming assignment? Is your hall room too stuffy and your bed too alluring for you to be able to get any work done? Fret not for what you need is a good conducive environment to solve your school-related conundrums! Here is a list of places to study around NTU and the advantages and disadvantages of these places. However, do note that at the end of the day these suggestions are subjective and prone to the whims of student’s preference for places to study.
1) NIE Library (Most recommended)
It does not matter if you are not an NIE student. The library is located at Block 4 in the NIE school compound, adjacent to NTU’s North Spine. It is located at the second level of the block, directly above the NIE canteen.
· Accessibility
The library can be accessed via the internal Blue and Red shuttle bus service, where one can alight outside NIE or North Spine respectively. Alternatively one may take buses 179 and 199. Just a few minutes’ walk from the popularly visited North Spine, one simply crosses the overhead bridge linking North Spine to NIE or cross via the pedestrian crossing nearby. There is a Popular outlet selling stationeries at the canteen and printing/photocopying machines in the library for your work needs.
· Space
The best part about NIE is the number of seats and study places available for all, regardless of the time period. The school itself appears like an expansive isolate environment to the random passer-by. There are 3 levels for one to choose to study in and each level have different types of tables and chairs to suit your preference. Need a group table? Level 2 and 3. Need a single table? Level 2, 3 and 4. Need a sofa? Level 3. Need a coffee table? Level 3. There is bound to be a place for you, and even if there isn’t, the tables above the canteen are usually empty and where many head to study too.
· Food
Two words. Cheap food. NIE canteen is famous for their notoriously cheap food as compared to the rest of NTU. They have a wide variety of stalls and the most number of Halal stalls in the school. Located just below the library, one simply head down for a short recess (see what I did there) to refuel before continuing on their vital projects. Do note however, that the canteen closes early, around 4pm. (Good things end early.) Fret not though as North Spine is quite near.
· Cons
It takes some time to reach the library from North Spine or the bus stops. It is located about a 5 minute walk from either location due to the expansiveness of the school. Food is also strictly not allowed in the library.
2) HIVE
The Hive is buzzing with activities throughout the day. But in the odd periods, a table of opportunity opens for the casual mugger. Empty classrooms can be utilised to study. Empty tables outside the classrooms and at the top level of the Hive can be utilised. The iconic building is located right next to South Spine canteen and HSS School and is directly linked to NBS.
· Accessibility
Its location is perfect for business and HSS students who have lectures and tutorials in or around the school. Similarly, buses 179 the internal Red and Blue shuttle service have bus stops near the school located opposite the Innovation Centre. There is a Library Outpost with some important reserved books for specific courses, citation guides, DVDs and a printing/ photocopying service for your work needs. There is also a bookshop about 5 minutes away from the Hive and an electronic gadgets shop nearby.
· Food
The South Spine canteen is a minute’s walk away from the Hive. Although the food is said to be generally dull and slightly expensive, that may be due to student’s constant use of the same canteen daily for their meals. The Co-Op@NTU café is located at Hive itself, serving a selection of delicious Western cuisines at affordable prices. A good thing about the classrooms is that food may be brought in, hence, one may eat while studying or discussing although studies have shown that that may be a bad idea. The café, however have selective timings to serve food, so do take note of the times where they serve breakfast or lunch (usually when the queue is long).
· Space
At really peak periods for studying, there is nay an empty table to study, probably due to the frequent use of the place. However, an empty classroom have the benefit for a presentation practice. Furthermore, due to the Hive’s location, there are other study places around the area. (HSS, HSS Library, SPMS building, South Spine canteen etc) So, a risk of choosing this place to study is not all too risky.
· Cons
Pretty much all the pros of this location have its cons too. (Space and food in particular)
3) Hall Study Rooms
For those not covered under a scholarship, it is a worthy choice to fully utilise your hostel fee investment by using the study rooms available in your halls, if they have one. Some may be conducive while some may not be comparatively so. Located at each individual Hall clusters, one may have to be a Hall resident to utilise this facility. You can ask around! (Or find some other way…)
· Accessibility
For the Hall residents, it is just an elevator ride or a skip away from your alluring beds. Usually, printing services are made available for most study rooms. Best of all, there probably are other facilities you can use to destress from a day’s work like gyms or your friend’s room. (Not to be used as coping mechanisms.)
· Food
Each Hall have their own canteen. Even if you cannot eat in them (for Muslim students), you could stock food supply in your rooms, though it probably is unhealthy to maintain this study lifestyle. A short bus ride can reach you to either North or South Spine to fulfil the glutton monster.
· Space
I suppose, this really do depend on your Hall. Crescent and Pioneer have many tables available and residents of some older halls have massive single rooms to probably designate a study room in their own hall room if they want.
· Cons
Most likely only exclusive to Hall residents although if you know someone in the hall, you may be allowed to “find” your way in.
4) HSS School
Another place in the South Spine district with many available places to study in. Located next to the Hive. At the basement, there are two computer labs for one to study in and benches are littered all over the school from the atrium to outside the computer lab. Furthermore, during exam periods, some seminar rooms are booked specifically for studying, increasing the studying seat capacity of the building. There are photocopying/printing service in the building itself. HSS professors are located in the building for consultation if one wishes, although do remember to contact them to arrange for a consultation beforehand.
· Accessibility/ Food
Same for the Hive, although a tad further away from the bus stops, bookstore and food outlets. There is however, a LiHo store in the building for one with a slightly bigger wallet or have an addiction to their quality tea beverage. There is also a sandwich and snacks machine for a quick fix at the atrium.
· Space
Sometimes it may be quite packed although it is close to a guarantee that one can find a place to study in be it in the labs or one of the benches. Surrounding places offer more places to study in.
· Cons
Due to the openness of much of the available seats, privacy may be hard to come by. At times, it might also be hard to find places, though as mentioned, one may head to nearby places to study.
5) North Spine (Global Lounge, Lee Wee Nam Library, benches, fast food tables and study rooms)
North Spine, the city of Pulau NTU, where food, leisure and school are concentrated for the majority of NTU students. There is a wide selection of places to study within such a small area. It almost seems ideal to come here to study…
· Accessibility
One may reach the North Spine via the internal Red and Blue internal shuttle service or buses 179 or 199. Due to its location, it really is a 10 minute walk from almost any other prominent or important buildings. There is fast food and canteen food, shops selling a wide range of goods from toys to stationeries, a supermarket, pool tables, Xbox consoles, photocopying/printing services and a library. Literally everything you need for survival is here. If only they built sleeping quarters there…
· Food
As mentioned before, the place is a food galore. There are a few restaurants such as the newly opened Pan Inc and fast food restaurants such as KFC, PizzaHut, Long John Silver and McDs. There is a canteen (with a unique purchasing card system). There is Starbucks. There is a YoGuru and a Cheers outlet. Basically, food is not a problem if one chooses to study there. You can eat or drink in most of the places you study in, although technically you shouldn’t bring food to the library.
· Space
There is a lot of places to study within such a small area. From individual tables, to group tables, they are almost everywhere. However, due to the popularity of North Spine, tables may be hard to come by. During peak periods, the Global Lounge, Lee Wee Nam Library and the surrounding benches may be full, especially during Recess Period. Lee Wee Nam is currently undergoing some renovations which have cut down its seat capacity drastically. Finding a table on any one of these days is like finding gold or finding a seat in a hawker centre during lunchtime. Be prepared to take some time to find a conducive seat. The Global Lounge may also be a bit loud on some days. Update: With the renovation completed, LWN Library boast a much larger seat capacity now. I had no problems finding places to study there whenever I chose to study there. Do note that there is a whole new level called The Quiet Zone at the uppermost level of the library, assessable through the staircase near the lift.
· Cons
You have to either come early or during strategic timings or take some time to wait for someone to vacate their spot. Alternatively, you may walk to NIE Library or North Spine-South Spine area where there are benches everywhere.
6) HSS Library
Located quite a distance from most conventional places, the library is a quaint small space tucked in a corner of NTU. It occupies one floor and is the size of about 4 tutorial rooms.
· Accessibility
It is not very accessible and those who do not know South Spine very well may find it hard to locate the library. Using the South Spine canteen as a bearing, one may follow the small road all the way to until the road starts to ascend up a hill. To the left will be the staircase linking South and North Spine. The library is located to the right, all the way to the end of the corridor. Alternatively, one may take the Campus Rider shuttle service and drop outside the Medical Centre. Head behind the medical centre and you will find a stairs. Go down the stairs and use the lift to head down to B3 to reach the library. There are printing and photocopying services in the library if one needs it and a book shop for stationaries and course textbooks. The main good attribute is that it is the HSS Library, where one can find tons of Linguistics-related books or other interesting HSS books.
· Food
It’s quite far from conventional food places. However, there is a sandwich machine some way to the left of the library from the direction of someone coming out of the library. Otherwise, one might find sweets or tidbits at the bookstore below the library. Do note that food is not allowed to be consumed in the library.
· Space
Space is limited. During exam periods, the tables in the library are almost always full although one may find one empty seat or so somewhere. After all, the design of the library is such that there is only one long row of table and a computer room (around 15 seat capacity). Some table-less lounge chairs litter the corners of the library. There are benches outside the library but they too may be filled during busy periods.
· Cons
Most of the points above seems to be cons… But think positive! Not many people head there and it is really quite on most days. Update: It is really full most of time I went there now with my friends or alone. :(
7) Benches
On the way to class, benches. On the way to canteen, benches. At that corner, a bench. At the park, a park bench. At the bus stop, a bench. Everywhere, there is that iconic bench ideal for studying (Not at the busstop, obviously). Though they look like made of wood, they are made from some kind of plastic. Usually, there are fans directed to each bench, so you will not sweat or find the benches uncomfortable.
· Accessibility
If I could give a rating for Accessibility, I would give it a 10 out of 10. They really are everywhere and their availability depends on the remoteness of the area. The more remote the bench is, the higher possibility it is vacant. Go get them, soldier!
· Space
This is slightly trickier. The problem is, there are places where there are long stretches of walkways with a large number of benches but they may all be full. You need to find a cliché area where there are vacant benches and make it your home turf. At unlucky timings, you may walk for half an hour without finding an empty bench. On other days, there may be an empty bench you can simply use when your shoelace accidentally come undone. A lot of the time, you can simply ask a person occupying a bench while studying alone or with only one other friend if they want to share. If they say no, they will sound like assess, thus you most likely will be given that seat.
· Cons
As mentioned, it might be tricky or dependant on one’s luck to find an empty bench. Afterall, even if you walk for ages, you will arrive at one of the places mentioned before. You can try your luck there. ^^
8) Business Library
I actually found out about the Business Library about a week after I wrote this article. This is, in fact, a very good place to find places to study in either in groups or for self-study. The library consists of three floors, where the majority of seats are on the lowest floor. Business-related books fill the racks and there is also a printing room and a resting room (to nap or chat).
* Accessibility
The Business Library is located at the N2 B2 of North Spine, only about a 5 minutes walk from North Spine landmarks such as LWN Library and Prime Supermarket. You can take the stairs or the lift to B2 and it should be right next to the lift.
* Space
The fact that it takes some navigation initially to get to the library may have been the reason why the Business Library is less crowded than other studying places. Update: There is an entire new level for studying called The Quiet Zone. From the entrance of the library, head down the main staircase. On this level, find for a staircase that will lead you down one more floor which will take you to The Quiet Zone where there are tens of seats (often empty) located there.
* Cons
There isn't really much cons to be honest. I really liked the Business Library because there are always seats to be found and it is so close to North Spine's epicentre. Maybe the fact that the Male toilet requires some distance to walk to as it is located outside of the library may be a Con? Of course, this is not a problem to me and it is probably because all of the other studying places literally has a toilet almost next to your studying area that I view this as an irritation. A point to note too, though, is that the self studying table on the third floor do not have powerplugs.
After mentioning some of these places, there may be some who will flock to certain areas and fill out the available tables, thus, once empty places might be full. In actuality, if someone really do have the desire to study, the environment will matter less and the person can adapt their environment to their studying needs. (Citation required) Everywhere from void decks, McDonalds or Starbucks can be adapted for studying. In addition, everyone have different studying patterns hence, the choice of ideal studying places is really dependent on you. I hope this article had been useful to you. If it wasn’t, then I guess it’s subjective. :P All the best for your upcoming Semester!
“Do not go gentle into that good night,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light”
Dylan Thomas
This post was formerly published on https://aboutwanariff.blogspot.com/2017/01/7-places-to-study-in-school-nanyang.html
