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The Best Spots to Study On and Off-Campus

Published Date

Two students study together in the field in front of the Tabaret building using their laptops

Camély Gendron

by Camély Gendron

4th-year BCom student

With new assignments and exams around the corner, it’s important to start thinking about our study strategies and where you’ll be studying. Personally, since my first year at university, I always tried to find the best places to study both on campus and nearby. So here’s what I believe are the 7 best spots to study on and off campus.

Spots on Campus

1. The Brian Dickson Law Library

Since the beginning of the school year, as a law student, I have been spending most of my free time at the beautiful Brian Dickson Library, which is located on the fourth floor of Fauteux Hall. I love how it’s so bright with its big windows bordering the back wall! Another positive element is the fact that the library has two floors. The first floor has a few tables reserved for law school students. There is also a study room where it’s strictly forbidden to speak called the “red zone,” which is very interesting since it was built to pay tribute to Chief Justice Brian Dickson. Moreover, right next to this room, there is a common study room where it’s allowed for students to talk and study in groups (there is also a charging station for Apple and Android devices). The second floor is similar to the Morisset Library and all students can go there: you’ll find individual cubicles as well as study rooms that you can book online. Pleasantly, it’s very rare that there is not enough space to study, even during “finals season!”

  • Location: The fourth-floor of Fauteux Hall
  • Open hours: Monday to Thursday: from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.; Friday: from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Saturday: from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sunday: from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
  • Wi-Fi and charging outlets: Wi-Fi is accessible via the university’s connection of “eduroam” and you can find outlets at every table and in every study room.
  • Food: Hot and cold drinks are allowed in covered containers. Hot food is not permitted, but cold snacks are allowed.
  • Fun Fact: Heads up! There’s a really well-hidden bathroom in the library and it’s located on the first floor!

2. The Learning Crossroads (CRX)

Since the Learning Crossroads opened, I really enjoy booking the spacious, bright and practical study rooms in the building! On the first floor of the building are comfortable sofas with integrated electrical outlets. On the second floor, there are several large study rooms, one of which is silent, filled with individual tables and cubicles to study either alone or in a group. The upper floors, on the other hand, have many study rooms that can be booked. Most of them have two large tables and a whiteboard. This is great for group study, team projects or for reviewing using the whiteboard, and dry-erase markers and an eraser can be rented at the Morisset Library Information Desk. Many students enjoy studying there, so it’s important to book a room or arrive early in the morning to make sure you have a place!

  • Location: 100 Louis-Pasteur Private, next to Lamoureux Hall
  • Open hours: Sunday to Monday: from 6:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
  • Wi-Fi and charging outlets: Wi-Fi is accessible via “eduroam” and you can find outlets at every table and in every study room.
  • Food: Food and drinks are allowed everywhere in the building.
  • Fun Fact: If you’re ever hungry while studying, you’ve come to the right place! On the first floor there’s a Tim Hortons, a Thai Express, a Paramount and a Go Café. Something for everyone!

3. The Faculty of Social Sciences Building

The Faculty of Social Sciences Building (FSS) is a small oasis of tranquillity. With its wall of plants and large windows, it’s very pleasant to study in this building. You can find a variety of services and facilities available at the FSS building. Throughout 14 floors, you will have access to tables, couches and various study rooms that you can book. Please note that the study rooms are reserved for students in the Faculty of Social Sciences. These highly sought-after facilities fill up fairly quickly, but you can always study there whenever. There are no noise restrictions, but generally, when I go there, people are not too noisy.

  • Location: 120 University Private, the Faculty of Social Sciences
  • Open hours: Sunday to Monday: from 6:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
  • Wi-Fi and charging outlets: Wi-Fi is accessible via “eduroam” and you can find outlets at every table and in every study room.
  • Food: Food and drinks are allowed everywhere in the building.
  • Fun Fact: The Première Moisson’s almond croissant found on the first floor of FSS is delicious!


4. The Morisset Library

The Morisset Library is the most common and coveted place for students to study. The library’s facilities are very practical and varied. There are computers as well as printers available to students. The multiple study rooms are available to students from all faculties, and several individual study areas are also available. There are floors that are completely quiet and others where it’s possible to talk (excellent for teamwork). The study areas fill up very quickly during the exam period, so I advise you to arrive early to reserve a spot!

  • Location: 65 University Private, Morisset Library
  • Open hours: Monday to Friday: from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m., Saturday and Sunday: from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.
  • Wi-Fi and charging outlets: Wi-Fi is accessible via “eduroam” and you can find outlets in every study room, but not in every individual cubicle.
  • Food: Food and drinks are allowed everywhere in the building.
  • Fun Fact: If you ever need a study break while at the library, go walk between the rows, choose a book randomly and read a few pages! This little trick allowed me to expand my knowledge on some interesting topics and to take advantage of the many books that are available to us.

Spots Off Campus

1. Starbucks

The unavoidable Starbucks! We are lucky to have three Starbucks locations all within walking distance of campus.

a) The first one is located in the Desmarais Building. There are a few tables to study at, but they fill up very quickly! It’s a great atmosphere to do work with your friends or to work alone since the tables are quite small. If you like to study in an active and lively environment, this is the place for you.

  • Location: 55 Laurier Avenue East, Desmarais Building (on campus)
  • Open hours: Monday to Thursday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Wi-Fi and charging outlets: Wi-Fi is accessible via “eduroam”. There’s not a lot of outlets (1 or 2).
  • Food: Starbucks sells delicious food and drinks.

b) The second Starbucks is located at the Rideau Centre, in the food court. It’s nice to study there since it’s just next to the food court. That said, many tables are available for studying. It’s a good place to study with friends or do team projects since there is a lot of space.

  • Location: The Rideau Centre’s food court.
  • Wi-Fi and charging outlets: Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the Rideau Centre. There are not a lot of outlets available.
  • Food: Starbucks sells delicious food and drinks.

c) The third Starbucks is located on Laurier Street, next to the Annex residences. It’s a brand new Starbucks that is spacious and welcoming. I love studying there with my friends! It has two floors and lots of natural light. In the summer, it even has a balcony with outside tables, it’s very pleasant.

  • Location: 275 Laurier Avenue East, Sandy Hill.
  • Open hours: Monday to Friday: from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.; Saturday to Sunday: from 6:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
  • Wi-Fi and charging outlets: Free Wi-Fi is available via Starbucks’s Wi-Fi. There’s not a lot of outlets.
  • Food: Starbucks sells delicious food and drinks.

2. Driphouse

The Driphouse Café is a hidden treasure in Ottawa! With its delicious coffee and daily homemade “falafels,” it’s a great place to study. There are many spacious tables and nice background music. The design is breathtaking! To get there, you either have to take the train or a car since it’s a bit far from campus. Go check it out, it’s worth it!

  • Location: 340B Parkdale Avenue, Hintonburg.
  • Open hours: Monday to Sunday: from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
  • Wi-Fi and charging outlets: Free Wi-Fi is available and there are a couple of outlets.
  • Food:The homemade falafels, coffee and pastries will certainly convince you to stay and study!

3. Raw Pulp and Grind

*UPDATE* CLOSED

If you like to study in a colourful environment with a nice atmosphere, this pretty and healthy café serving smoothies, smoothie bowls, salads and a wide variety of coffees is the perfect place to study. They even have outdoor tables so you can enjoy the nice weather while you study. You will have to take a car or the train to get there. 

  • Location: 440 Preston Street, Little Italy. 
  • Open hours: Monday to Friday: from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Saturday to Sunday: from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  • Wi-Fi and charging outlets: Free Wi-Fi is available and there are hotels at every table.
  • Food: You can buy healthy meals and they also have a wide variety of coffees.

I hope this list will inspire you to start studying!