Reviews of study spaces around campus, part 2

Written by Kevyn Niu (PEACE advisor)

​Hi all, Lord of Coffees here once again! This week, I’ll be continuing my series of my reviews of study spaces on campus, with a comprehensive list of pros and cons.
Once again, these are my personal opinions of having gone here for four years; please take with a grain of salt.

Martin Luther King Student Union
Monday–Saturday, 7am–12am; Sunday, 10am–10pm

Pros: Usually very brightly lit, with lots of natural sunlight. Food is freely allowed, and many places to eat within the Student Union as well. Outlets everywhere: you’ll never need to bring a charger strip with you again. When you’re bored, you can watch Berkeley dancers practice outside on Lower Sproul. Bathrooms reasonably clean; MLK finished construction around two months ago as of the writing of this article.

Cons: can get very loud since people freely talk. As of October 2015, unless you go early and/or have a friend there already, very hard to find a spot. Closes reasonably early on weekends (midnight on weekdays, 10PM on weekends)

CV Starr East Asian Library
9AM-9PM

Pros: Very nice atmosphere for studying: lots of wood, glass, and steel. Multiple floors, sufficient study room and not very crowded on weekdays. Lots of natural sunlight. Very quiet; bathrooms are reasonably clean.

Cons: Unless you live on Northside, “far” from campus if you are coming from Sproul. Limited hours compared to Moffitt and Main Stacks. No food allowed unless you are particularly sneaky. Can get crowded on weekends.

VLSB Biosciences Library
Monday-Friday 9AM-10PM, Saturday and Sunday 1-10PM

Pros: reasonable amount of natural sunlight, very quiet. Opportunity to print and use the computer lab, should you forget your own. Can use private study rooms for long study sessions. Many comfortable chairs on the first floor, so you can take naps when necessary. Bathrooms on third floor* are very nice

*requires keycode access. Ask a friend who works there.

Cons: Limited hours. No food allowed unless you are particularly sneaky. Study rooms are often occupied and private cubbies on second floor are usually occupied. Public bathrooms are very nasty.

About the author: ucbr

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