

Paulina Cuadra

Library Hopping: My Favorite Spots
As finals week is slowly coming closer, I've found myself spending a lot of time in the library. With this increased amount of time spent studying, I've seized the opportunity to branch out and explore different areas. I've actually had a lot of fun using the Pomodoro Technique, where I work for about an hour and then pack up my things and find somewhere else to study. In this way, I've compartmentalized my studying and have been more productive as I get a fresh sense of scenery. Here's my breakdown of some of my favorite places I've gone library hopping!
- No. 1
Tower Room
The Tower Room is by far my favorite place to study in and perhaps one of my favorite places at Dartmouth (which says a lot)! It has a quintessentially Dartmouth feel with its green velvet chairs, dark wood, and peaceful yet academic ambiance. The warmth of the room as well as the warm golden glow of its lamps make it a perfect place to work in.
- No. 2
4FB
4FB refers to Fourth Floor Berry, or the topmost and therefore quietest Berry level. This study area has a more modern look to it and has individualized workspaces to study in as well as some couches and tables. I love going here as you get an amazing view of the New England outdoors, so it is an especially beautiful place to go study quietly on clear sunny days.
- No. 3
Orozco Room
The Orozco Room has gorgeous murals lining its walls depicting Mexican history. This room reminds me a lot of Latin America and gives me something to look at as I focus on my work. Each panel is so interesting and holds a lot of symbolism and critique that make for a compelling experience.
- No. 4
5th Floor Stacks
One of my main complaints about the Stacks is that the lower levels are really dark. However, the upper floors don’t have this problem in the slightest. Once you go past the third level there is a lot of sunshine that creeps in through the window, making it perfect to study and look outside. It is usually a little cold for me so every time I go here I make sure I have a sweater on to bundle up. Overall, the Stacks are an amazingly good focus spot since you can choose a quiet corner and not encounter many people moving around while also getting a pretty good view of Hanover.
- No. 5
Upstairs FoCo
FoCo refers to the Dartmouth Dining Hall, formally known as Class of 1953 Commons. This is a very convenient place to study as you can finish your meal and just pull up your computer or work at the moment. An upside to this is that you also get to go downstairs for a quick bite whenever you want. The coupling of tables, booths, couches, and delicious food make upstairs FoCo an all-time favorite place to catch up on my work.
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