With finals around the corner, it’s nearly impossible to find a good place to study on grounds. At UVA, the professors don’t hold back and you shouldn’t either. The best way to study is with sustenance near-by and in a studious environment. But the great thing about UVA is that you can change almost any study space in order to produce the perfect place to work hard.

But before you find a great place to claim squatters-rights, you should prepare yourself mentally.

Make sure you get the right amount of sleep, eat well and don’t wait to cram all of your work into one night. Also, try to balance work with play. Here you can find an article with a list of fun ways to unwind when school gets hectic.

1. A classroom

During finals season, everyone flocks to their favorite library and they completely forget about classroom areas like New Cabell and Nau.

These buildings have tons of study spaces and empty classrooms, all of which are usually empty. If you need a quiet space, this should be a perfect spot. And because there are usually a lot of empty classrooms, you can bring your friends with. Also, there is a Starbucks in Nau and tons of food in central grounds!

2. A dining hall

I know this is easier said than done for upperclassmen. But after you’ve befriended a nice first-year with an Unlimited Access Meal Plan, try a dining hall! Newcomb has tons of study spaces outside of their dining hall, which is also a great option if you can’t find a free meal swipe.

When you’re ready for a study break, head to the Game Room at Newcomb to relax. Aside from those areas, dining halls have a continuous flow of food and coffee to keep you awake while you power through. There will also be other hard-working students to make sure you don’t fall into a Netflix hole.

3. Libararies galore

If you manage to get there early enough to snag a seat, a library is always a great option. Depending on what type of environment you’re looking for, you are sure to find something you’ll like between the Alderman stacks or the second floor of Clem. Another bonus of libraries is that you can find a Greenberry’s or at the least, a vending machine. Depending on where you live, there should be a close bus stop to get you home after a long day of essay writing.

4. 1515

1515 is a fun space on the corner that has amazing study rooms. The only downfall here is that these few study spaces tend to fill up fast. But if you do manage to snag a spot, 1515 has a café on its first floor that accepts plus dollars. Also, because the place is so new, it’s super clean and relaxing. When you’re ready to take a study break, there is plenty to treat yourself with at Sheetz, Starbucks, Bodo’s, and other nearby restaurants. 1515 also has plenty of games on the lowest floor for some serious unwinding.

5. The Rotunda

The Rotunda has study spaces on the top floor that are available to students. Not only is it fun to study in the Rotunda, it’s a historical experience. And if you happen to live on the Corner, a language house, or on JPA, this spot isn’t too far from you. Furthermore, there are plenty of food spots close by. There is the Corner, Newcomb, Greenberry’s, and West Range, to name a few. This spot is usually pretty quiet, too, if you need to really concentrate.