The top 5 places to study when you’ve forgotten your UCard

We’ve all been there … that fatal day when you fall afoul of the autocratic regime that runs our university’s libraries: you’ve forgotten your UCard. Left at home in a rush out of the door, snapped and scuffed beyond all repair, or in Union captivity after being caught doing drugs on a Union night, we still need to study somehow.

With the IC’s zero tolerance policy, and with Western Bank permitting only ONE admittance sans-UCard DURING YOUR ENTIRE PROGRAMME OF STUDY (using that one life up is not a risk I’m willing to take, it’d be like using your Master Ball to catch a Rattata), the chance of passing your degree goes down the toilet. Just like your UCard did after one too many.

But, don’t fret. Luckily for you, The Tab is here to show you where to revise when you need to improvise.

1. Arts Tower computer room, Floor 10
Opening times: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Mon-Fri
Quietness Rating: 3/5
Facilities:computers, Wi-Fi, printer, views, incredible toilets

Rightfully topping our list is the Arts Tower computer room which, in many ways, has more to offer as a working space than any of the libraries. It’s light, spacious, and there’s always a computer spare. What’s more, you get to travel up to Floor 10 in style on the paternoster, far up enough that you get to enjoy its antique charm, but not so far that the novelty wears off.

It has a printer too, and delightful views across the north of our beloved city. If you’re brave enough to disregard the ‘Architecture Students Only’ signs on Floors 18 and 19 (we weren’t), then there are plenty more computers up there, and even better views. You’ll never need your UCard again!

Study from higher ground

2. The View Deli
Opening times: 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Quietness rating: 3/5
Facilities: Wi-Fi, views, food and drink (it’s a café)
Likelihood of slightly inflammatory pop music: Moderate

A place to concentrate

Previously the City View Café, the new and improved View Deli got a big revamp as part of the multi-million redesign of the Union and doesn’t it look pretty? A comfortable and welcoming working environment, take your choice from sofas, comfy chairs and stools (although The Tab recommends avoiding the sofas if you’re after an ideal chair height:table ratio).

The Wi-Fi’s excellent and, if you don’t fancy trying the fares of the café, you’re not short of eatery options in the heart of the Union. Probably not the place to go if you’re deadline’s in two hours and you’re about 4000 words short, but a great place to work if you’re after a relaxed, informal, and chatty atmosphere, particularly if you need to do group work. It’s also another alternative working environment with a fantastic view (it’s all in the name) and even a balcony to enjoy Sheffield’s infamous hot weather.

3. Politics Common Room
Opening times: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Mon-Fri
Quietness rating: 2/5
Facilities: Wi-Fi, vending machines, computer room (upstairs, always quiet)
Likelihood of a disruptive cake sale taking place: Moderate to low

If you live in Crookesmoor and can’t bear to work in your noisy house, then this might just be the place for your UCard-less self. Just next to Goodwin gym it’s perfectly placed for a lazy jaunt from home, and is dead for most of the day.

With brightly coloured chairs everywhere it’s a few tubs of Play-Doh short of being a crèche, but the photos of important things like Cuba and war and stuff remind you that you’re here to learn not to play. Despite the slightly crazy interior design choices, with a nearby computer suite, the fantastic location and the relative calm and quietness, you’ll never need your UCard again.

4. Bartolome House computer room
Opening times: 
Quietness rating: 5/5
Facilities: computers, Wi-Fi, printers, café

It’s a party in Barty

A serious working environment for serious people, even close to capacity this place is deathly silent. If you manage to negotiate the labyrinthine Barty House and successfully plug it’s inner depths, you’ll be rewarded with a great place to study for people who just like to get things done.

The room is a little stuffy, but is generally only half-full and, if not, you’ll surely find an empty room down one of the long corridors. In general it’s nice and light and provides you with everything the libraries could; it might even be worth making friends with the person next to you while you’re there, who knows when it might be helpful to have lawyer friends.

Come and explore

5. Falafel King
Opening times: 10 a.m. – 3 a.m.
Quietness rating: 2.5/5
Facilities: Wi-Fi from the nearby Drama Studio (if you’re lucky) and as much falafel as you can eat
Chance of getting distracted by Arabic boxing: High

The only study space on our list that’s open till late, Falafel King is a serene space particularly during the mid-afternoon, although you might want to leave before the hordes of falafel-famished boozers descend upon Sheffield’s finest Middle Eastern establishment.

If the falafel alone isn’t enough to draw you in (which it should be), you have a fairly safe chance of locking onto the Drama Studio Wi-Fi from across the street, and the atmosphere is calm and warm, even when busy. Regulars have been called on before to look after the store. But don’t be afraid, there might be some free baklava in it for you.

If you have your own favourite UCard-less space to study, let us know in the comments below!