Around Ann Arbor, there are so many options for study spots—cafes, libraries and calm outdoor areas.
Although your personal favorite spots to study may depend on certain factors such as distance from coffee, levels of noise and comfortability, we rounded up some of the highlights on the University of Michigan’s campus.
The School of Kinesiology
The School of Kinesiology was renovated in 2021, officially opening its doors to one of the best spots on campus. The building has three floors—plus a ground level with a variety of spaces including bookable conference rooms, booths and collaborative spaces.
Beyond the functionality of the building, aesthetically, it is gorgeous—most of the space is lit via natural lighting. The atrium is the main open space, and although at times it can be hard to find a table or is a bit noisy, it is still one of the best places to study on campus.
Being located right by multiple central campus classroom buildings and the diag, the location of the building is perfect. I recommend checking out the School of Kinesiology building to students who need a calming place to work throughout the day or when working with a team on a project.
830 N University Ave, Ann Arbor.
M-36 Coffee Roasters Cafe
Downtown Ann Arbor has many cafes, all of which would suffice for a student who wants to really romanticize their college experience. However, Ann Arbor cafes get booked and busy quick, making it nearly impossible to find a seat without a combination of good timing and luck.
M-36 has a variety of beverage and food options, making it great for people who like to try something new or have particular taste. More importantly, it has both a main floor with outdoor space and a downstairs with a variety of seating.
Though, I do not have specific measurements, I would think this is one of the bigger Ann Arbor coffee shops and therefore, a great place to head to when looking for somewhere to sit.
The shop’s proximity to Ross School of Business, East Quad and other schools or campus buildings makes it a prime location when looking for somewhere to chill between classes or to finish up an assignment before the deadline.
I recommend going to M-36 when you need to lock-in and study alone. As with any coffee shop, it may be tough to secure a table large enough to study with a group.
1101 S University Ave, Ann Arbor.
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North Quadrangle
North Quad is for the quiet student. Someone who needs it to be so silent that others are afraid to sip on a drink too loudly.
Overall, North Quad has a great main and basement floor with a variety of comfy seating arrangements from couches to arm chairs. There are several four-person tables, also making it a great spot for quiet collaboration.
The Language Center in the basement transitions from being a more vibrant study spot to a calm, silent atmosphere—so just be prepared when heading to the building.
Functionally, North Quad has everything someone might need to enjoy studying but it is also one of the main places, I would argue, that has a traditional academia aesthetic. The brick building from the outside resembles a gigantic library and is aesthetically along the same lines as the Law Quad, another major study spot on campus.
North Quad is also a dorm in addition to a classroom building, meaning that if you have a meal plan or some dining dollars, you are able to take a break from studying to refuel.
105 S State St, Ann Arbor.
Outdoor spaces
There is limited amount of time during the school year when being outdoors is enjoyable. But, when you are able to study amongst the fall colors or under the beaming sun, there might just be nothing better. Some of my favorite outdoor spots include the Diag, the cube and spaces next to the Literature, Science and Arts building, and the League’s “secret garden.” For all of these locations, just remember to have your water bottle filled and computer charged so you can stay outside for as long as you can.
The Diag has a lot of benches and green space, perfect for stretching out under some trees. If you are studying in the Diag, just remember that it is a major walking path between parts of campus, meaning it is highly likely that you will be seeing everyone you know all of a sudden. Serving as the center of central campus, the Diag is also perfect for a guaranteed seating spot between classes.
The Cube is located beside the Michigan Union and LSA building. LSA does have actual tables and chairs while the area directly beside the cube has the same kinds of seating as the Diag. Although very aesthetically and functionally similar to the Diag, it is a lot quieter overall and on a part of campus closer to off-campus housing and within a few minutes walking distance to some of the student population’s favorite restaurants, including New York Pizza Depot, HopCat and Jerusalem Garden.
Michigan League is a good study spot, but everyone already knows that. The garden around the side of the building is what I would highlight as a gem. The entrance is around the side of the building facing the School of Dentistry and Power Center. Entering through the gates you find many metal tables and chairs under tree shade.
These are just some of the best spots to study on campus, among many others. Although it is great to have a go-to spot for working, I highly encourage new students to try out different shops and buildings on campus when studying. It makes the college experience more enjoyable and you never know who or what you will see out and about.
