My Big Question is an ongoing segment exploring various topics and answering your curious questions.

Wow! It’s week seven. How is this quarter already almost over? Someone once told me that the Spring Quarter goes by faster than any of the other quarters, and I think they’re right. Luckily, we have all of these fair weather days to enjoy before the school year comes to an end!

This week’s big question: What are some good places to study on and off campus?

There are many beautiful locations inside and outside DU’s campus that are great for studying as we approach finals. Let’s start with outdoor locations first:

• Anywhere you can find a hammock stand (Halls Green, Dimond Green, etc): These hammock stands are a great way to take the weight off of your feet and feel a good breeze in your hair when you’re reading or typing on your laptop. You can also try sitting in different locations around campus!
• Green between Mary Reed and Evans Chapel: With little groves of trees, fountains, and usually adirondack-style chairs scattered around, you can sprawl out in the sun, find some shade, and even some hiding places. Just beware of where you put your hammock, since this is part of the DU arboretum. 
• Tables by the on-campus Starbucks: If you’re looking to be around the buzz of DU’s campus, this is the place for you! The tables have both umbrella and non-umbrella options, depending on the weather, but if you don’t think you can concentrate on the road noise, there are other somewhat buzzy places, like just inside the Community Commons. 

If it gets a little too warm, you can always retreat to these secluded indoor locations:

• Beans Coffee Shop in the Fritz Knoebel School of Hospitality Management: A little quieter than the Starbucks, our own coffee shop has a nice indoor seating area, good drinks, and ambient music. With everything from high-top tables to a couch, you have lots of options…and you can try a sparkling lemonade.
• Library in Mary Reed (Hogwarts Edition): If you go one story up from the main floor of Mary Reed, there is a very beautiful library with a nice view and very old books. People say that it reminds them of the library in Harry Potter, and it’s nice and quiet.
• The little circle pods in the Anderson Academic Commons: If you prefer really small, secluded places with a lot of chargers, these pods are perfect to put your head down and get some stuff done. They’re also really cute (unless your head sticks out the top).

If you want to head off-campus there are several outdoor and indoor places off-campus that are perfect for studying for finals:

• Wash Park: With 155 acres of land, this park has a pond, sloping greens, and big outdoor spaces. Take a blanket, and some food, and spread out under a tree for hours to enjoy the breezes, and maybe even pet some dogs.
• Denver Cat Company: This cute cat cafe has hot drinks, little restaurants where you can grab food nearby, and lots of cats for you to cuddle. It can be easy to get distracted, but it’s also fun and cozy.
• Tattered Cover Bookstore: What better place to study than one with a lot of books? All of the Tattered Cover locations have little nooks and crannies with chairs and tables. And, when you need a break from studying, you can check out the latest releases.

Try some of these coffee shops as well:

• La Belle Rosette: For the morning or the evening, this Espresso and Wine Bar is well-known among DU students for being a great coffee shop and little place to grab a bite. It’s right along University Blvd., which makes it convenient to campus! 
• Kaladi Coffee Roasters: For a coffee shop on a different side of campus, Kaladi has indoor and outdoor seating and specialty coffee beans that make their drinks a touch above. They also have pastries in the morning.
• Stella’s Coffee Haus: On Broadway, this coffee haus has a larger dining room area for people to sit and stay awhile. Featuring all the typical drinks, they are reasonably priced and have a fun atmosphere. 

Hopefully, you can rotate between all of these places and be successful on your finals this year! Also, take advantage of the nice weather before it turns too hot.

Next week’s big question, SENIOR EDITION: What are DU seniors’ favorite memories and post-grad plans?

Got a big question? Email it to me! Jacqueline.Michel@du.edu