By: Bell Jackson
The University of Montevallo’s main priority is provide a welcoming space for prospective or current students to gain knowledge.
As college students settle into their new classes for the fall semester, many are reminded of what Montevallo’s campus used to be like before the covid-19 pandemic.
Campus events, face-to-face time with professors and extracurriculars began being integrated into their lives again. With new busy schedules, students are reverting back to the old ways of prioritizing their school work – by studying on campus again.
As of late, many students say they have grown accustomed to studying in their dorms and apartments due to the pandemic.
This allows for a controlled learning environment. Students can cater to their own habits by playing music if they choose, or by keeping the room silent.
Gracie Collins, senior music major at Montevallo, said, “My favorite place to study is in my room because I need almost complete silence and no distractions to study.”
Some students prefer to study in their own rooms for the opposite reason, as is the case with senior Licee Freeman.
“I love to study in my room because I can listen to music and it helps keep me going and motivated,” Freeman said. “Being in my room also lets me be comfortable and not worried about bothering other people.”
Carmichael Library
For students looking for a more traditional study spot, the Carmichael Library is an option on every day of the week, open until 1 a.m. at the latest.
Photo by Bell Jackson, March 2020
The library has resources such as books, tutors and staff members to get help from if a student is stuck. There are also vending machines, printers and computers open for use.
The white boards available in the library make group studying an option for students who learn better alongside their peers.
The three floors range from absolute silence to conversational, so students can choose their level of surrounding noise.
“My favorite place to study is the first floor of the library because it’s quiet, but not too quiet, and keeps me from getting distracted at home,” says senior art student Isaac Barrientos.
Campus Lake
Studying indoors is the typical choice when looking for a place to get homework done, but if a student is looking for a change of scenery, the campus lake is open seven days a week.
According to the US National Library of Medicine, spending too much time indoors may have a negative effect on an individual’s short-term memory. The study also found that spending time outdoors may improve overall mental well-being.
Students say the downside of studying at the lake is limited Wi-Fi, which can hurt for access for Canvas and other virtual learning materials.
Farmer Hall
In the morning or afternoon, Farmer Hall is a popular place to go if you’re looking for a bite to eat while starting on your assignments. Einstein Bros. Bagels and Pita Pit are dining options on campus; students can also their Flex Points there.
The atmosphere in Farmer Hall is similar to that of a coffee shop, making it stand out from the other indoor spots on campus. It is also close to many of the residence halls.
The University of Montevallo has continued to strive for education for students at home and on campus. Here, students have the opportunity to find a place to go to in order to accomplish their academic goals. Indoor or outdoor, quiet or loud, slow or busy, Montevallo caters to all learning styles.
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