Bored of Forum Library? Here are different spots to study in Exeter

As a university student, November is always the worst time of year. Your deadlines are piling up, it’s cold, your loan is running out and you’ve just been beaned. You are probably getting sick and tired of continuously trekking up Forum Hill and attempting to find a seat in the Law Library on a Monday morning. It’s easy to get yourself into a rut when you keep living the same day over and over again – that’s why it is important to make small changes to your daily routine. Even if it means changing where you study, it can make all the difference! So, to add a change of scenery to your study sesh, here’s some recommended study spots (on and off campus) to get your uni work done.

1. Barisca – Peter Chalk 

Firstly, the Peter Chalk Barisca café is one of my favourites for solo study sessions on campus. I like the high chairs by the windows as it’s a perfect spot for people watching and a nice break for the eyes. This study spot is perfect for when you want some quick note-taking in between lectures and don’t want to deal with the stress of finding a seat in Forum library. Also, it’s near the Reed Hall gardens – another incredible and very relaxing spot when you need a break from deadlines.

2. The Loft- Devonshire House

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Upstairs in Devonshire House is The Loft. It’s a great study spot to go for in a group or on your own. The Loft is pretty relaxed and chilled, so you don’t feel too much pressure to keep quiet during your group study sessions. However, keep in mind that the seats in The Loft do fill up quite quickly throughout the day…Perhaps avoid securing a seat at midday.

3. The Sunset Society – Old Tiv Road

As a coffee lover, I am always excited to try cafes as study spots where I can be productive and enjoy some good quality coffee. Since moving to this side of town in my final year, the Sunset Society on Old Tiv Road has become my best friend for all of my study sessions. Especially when I don’t feel like walking all the way to campus, the Sunset Society is a great place to get some work done. The cafe is super relaxed, chilled and very vibey – it’s a great place to enjoy your lattes and get your assignments done. Not only is the cafe a great place to study, but the cafe often organises student-led fundraising events, karaokes and socials – it’s a great venue for both study and entertainment.

4. The Undergrad – The Depot

Located conveniently at the bottom of The Depot – a student accommodation building in the heart of town, The Undergrad Cafe is known among Exeter Uni students for its brunch dishes and is far more appropriate for group study sessions or friendship catchups. My personal favourites are also their fruit smoothies, plus they serve an incredibly good quality of coffee!

 5. The Tiny Tasting Room – Martin’s Lane

Serving the same speciality coffee as The Undergrad, its relatively smaller sister venue on the other side of town, The Tiny Tasting Room is definitely lower in capacity (hence the name), yet it still maintains the same relaxing atmosphere for when you desperately need to catch up on lecture material while staying caffeinated. I love that despite being owned by the same company, Southwest Coffee Company, the two venues are so different and both allocate to various (study) preferences.

6. Honourable Mention: Caffe Nero & Christmas Drinks

Though a more generic option, there is a reason why the chain is so popular. Additionally, seasonal and especially Christmas specials at almost any coffee shop – chain or independent – have my heart. There is something so comforting about enjoying a warm cinnamon-flavoured caffeinated drink while pushing through the last of my midterm deadlines, and more specifically, the newly released Tiramisu Latte from Caffe Nero has completely taken over my recent study sessions. An additional bonus is that Nero conveniently offers a student discount, which automatically applies once you register your student status on their app – what’s there not to love?