Cramming intensifies for finals

UNM students find many places to study on campus; some places are more popular than others and some places’ popularity depends on the weather

by DAVID J. BOSTON

It seems that the popular place to study on campus for University of New Mexico students may not come of much of a surprise; it’s a library.

The library of preference may change, but most students find a quiet place and availability of resources to be important factors when choosing a place to study on campus.

A cross section of students were interviewed to find the most common places to study on campus.

#1 Zimmerman Library

The referbished downstairs of Zimmerman gives the impression of a new addition to an old building with fresh paint and new carpeting.

But Zimmernam is about the most traditional place on campus to study.

Senior Christopher Downs said he prefers to go to Zimmerman Library because it is well lit and it is nice to be in an original building so he can “get in touch with (his) UNM roots.

”I like the comfy leather looking chairs at Zimmerman and Starbucks is just to the right,” senior Jason Dugger said.

Zimmerman Library offers the most hours of any of the UNM libraries throughout the week, and unlike the other libraries on campus, it is never closed an entire day.

#2 Fine Arts and Design Building

Nathan Sackreiter, majoring in architecture, said he studies exclusively at the architect building where he enjoys the benefit of having a studio to make his models in.

Sachreiter said he changed majors and struggled to remember where he studied before changing majors. “Starbucks!” he yelled out after a few minutes of contemplation.

Senior Lane Glover said he goes to the Fine Arts and Design building because it offers a subtle view of the Sandia Mountains through the wide windows.

“The windows offer great lighting that is better than the dark florescent lighting in the other libraries,” Glover said.

#3 The Duck Pond

The green grass and splashing water from the fountains offer students an alternative to libraries on campus, as long as the weather is cooperative.

#3 on the list...the duck pond.

Glover said he likes to study at the duck pond when the weather is nice because he prefers the natural lighting.

Freshman Katelin Huynh said she prefers the duck pond, weather permitting, because she likes the outdoors when studying.

#4 The Centennial Science and Engineering Library

The Centennial Science and Engineering Library offers a computer pod, reference desk and individual and groups study room for students. Athough the temporary entrance may be overlooked.

UNM student exits temprorary entrance to Centennial Library.

Lorenzo Alvarez, circulation assistant at Centennial, said the study rooms do not need to be reserved, they are on a first come first served basis. He said students who come to Centennial come because it is less crowded than Zimmerman.

Junior Matt Bergsten said he prefers to study at Centennial because a lot of his classes are in the area.

He said the added bonus of free parking across the street make Centennial a no-brainer for him.

Sophomore Damien Milazzo said he prefers Centennial because it is a “quiet dark pit.”

#5 Third Floor of the Student Union Building

The Student Union Building offers the option of indoors and outdoor studying areas and the same “comfy leather-looking chairs” found across campus.
Freshman Justine Espinoza said she goes to the third floor of the SUB because it is quiet and somewhat secluded.

Many students said there were places on campus where they study that are either unavailable to other students or are not as popular.

Senior Amber Dilley sad she prefers to study in the faculty break room at Zimmerman because it is convenient when working on campus.

Sophomore Kilchurn Downes said he studies at the busy part of the SUB because the noise helps him to focus.

Students from other colleges come to UNM to study as well. Central New Mexico Community College student Robert Wood said he comes to UNM to study because the teachers at CAPS are helpful in understanding homework.

The student spread...papers everywhere.

Students said there are many places to study such as the Student Resources Center, reading rooms and computer pod of the Communications Building, the downstairs area at Dane Smith Hall and the Health Sciences Library.

Whether noisy or quiet, indoors or out, popular or not, it’s hard to find a place on campus where there are no students studying as finals approach.

Written April 22 ,2008

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