24/7 study space helps decrease distractions

A number of Boston University students said they have not begun to use the 24-hour study space, but consider the option convenient and helpful.

It is a space that will be useful, however, later in the year, they said, and a way to avoid disturbing roommates late at night.

“I think it’s a really good idea because there just isn’t any place around here to go,” said Caroline Roig-Irwin, a College of Communication freshman. “Nothing is open late enough to actually go anywhere else, and I think it’s great that the university is doing something.”

Student Government successfully established Shelton Hall’s former dining area as a 24-hour study space at the start of the fall semester.

SG President Dexter McCoy said he is happy progress has already been made with 24-hour study spaces.

“Once we were elected, in my very first meeting with John Battaglino [executive director of student activities and operations], that was one of the first topics discussed,” McCoy, a College of Communication junior, said.

The 24/7 space provides a place where all students can study at any hour without disturbing roommates. Because students do not need to swipe into Shelton to enter the study space, off-campus students can use it for group work at late hours.

“We’re hoping that people take advantage of that [the availability] on East Campus so that we won’t have situations where people don’t have a place to study,” McCoy said.

McCoy said it was important to take advantage of space opening up as dining halls closed in preparation for the new Center for Student Services opening.

“With the retiring dining halls, it was important for us to get in that conversation on what those spaces would be used for moving forward, and so that’s what was discussed, 24-hour study space in Shelton,” he said.

James Marin, a College of Fine Arts senior, said he is happy to see 24-hour space as he has had problems in the past disturbing his roommate while studying late at night.

“In the past, I’ve had to stay up and write papers sometimes, and when I had a roommate, I’d have to keep a light on,” he said. “I keep very weird hours. I’m now in a single, so it does work out, but for those who are in doubles or triples, it seems like a good idea.”

Ruijia Liu, a CAS freshman, said he has used the space a few times while his roommate was asleep.

“It’s very helpful,” he said. “[I study here] sometimes. My roommate always sleeps, so I need to find somewhere quiet to read.”

Andrew Richard Farrell, a CAS sophomore, said the space in Shelton is useful, and he enjoys studying in it.

“I always like places that aren’t too crowded to study in,” he said.

Farrell also said he would likely use a similar space closer to him.

“I prefer going somewhere [other than my room] late at night to study, and I like having places like this,” he said.

However, he said Farrell thinks Shelton’s 9th floor study lounge is more popular with students than the 24-hour study space.

“It feels a little bit like wasted space because it’s so big, and most people who come to Shelton just go to the ninth floor,” he said.

Students said they would like to see spaces expanded to other parts of campus.

“They should put one in West Campus,” Roig-Irwin said. “I think especially because, from my impressions, West Campus is the more social and active side of campus, so it would be harder to find a quiet study space there.”

Marin said it would be especially helpful if more dorms adopted 24/7 study space so that students would not have to go out to study or collaborate late at night.

Some students said they would like to see amenities upgraded in the space.

“I think partitioning parts of the room off, or maybe just having some resources here other than plugs or tables [would be good],” Farrell said. “I think it would be great if they had white boards and stuff like that, and that’s not expensive.”

Marin said partitions could allow for private, non-disturbing study such as the ones at Mugar Memorial Library.

“Those little cubicles they have at Mugar are very helpful,” he said. “Tables are very good for group work.”

Roig-Irwin said a study space gives students a place to focus and not be distracted by their peers.

“My roommate likes to talk a lot,” she said. “I usually leave my door open because it rattles but it’s distracting because then people are always coming in and talking. It’s kind of awkward to say, ‘Get out, I’m studying,’ because I don’t know them that well.”