Meghan Durfee

in Spring 2015, Student's Blog, Washington, DC
April 17th, 2015

Hot Spot Study Spaces

By Meghan Durfee
Spring 2015

Something that you might pick up on shortly after starting classes is that it can be difficult to get even the simplest tasks done at the Debonair. For me, there is always the temptation of a Netflix marathon or baking some sort of treat. Consequently, I quickly learned that there are great spots throughout the city to spend a morning or an afternoon crossing off some things on your never-ending to do lists!

1. Tryst is an awesome specialty coffeehouse located in Adams Morgan, just a quick 15-minute walk away from the Debonair. It has a very relaxed vibe, quite similar to a boutique version of Pavement Coffehouse. There are communal tables, comfy couches, and secluded window seats to kick start some homework for the week. I would recommend visiting on a Friday morning; it’s not overly crowded and the WiFi is free. They also have an awesome brunch menu if you work up an appetite studying.

2. Gelman Library is at the center of George Washington University’s campus, conveniently located directly next to a Starbucks for you caffeine addicts. Very reminiscent of Boston University’s own Mugar Memorial Library, it has multiple floors encompassing all sorts of study environments. It’s a bit of a hike compared to other spaces, located by the Foggy Bottom Metro stop, but it’s a great place to kill some time before or after classes at GWU. If you don’t have a GWU ID, just show the front desk attendant your Boston University Terrier card and they’ll be more than happy to let you in.
3. illy Caffé marks the halfway point between Dupont Circle and George Washington University. If you are looking to grab a coffee and spend sometime reading it is definitely a spot to check out. Not only do they have a never-ending supply of Italian coffee, but they also have amazing pastries that can be hard to resist. You should take advantage of the attached Renaissance Hotel lounge, fully equipped with comfy seating and roomy tabletop space. I would try to avoid the morning rush, but the afternoons tend to be quite relaxing!
4. Open City is a great venue to go if you’re looking for a place super close to home. I would recommend taking a book along to brunch and sipping on some coffee for a few hours. It’s a popular spot on the weekends, especially before noon, so I recommend scoping it out when the morning rush has ended. It has a similar feel to Tryst, as they are technically sister cafés managed by the same folks.

 

5. The BUDC Office is an obvious choice to get some work done, but I definitely wouldn’t overlook it. With all the hustle and bustle of working full time and taking courses, it can sometimes be nice to not have to travel far to get work done. The office is a quiet space to go both during the week and on the weekend. It has the amenities of a printer and a kitchen if you prefer a more budget friendly option. Caffeine is still available with the Keurig in the kitchen!

Meghan is a business administration major learning more about health policy as an intern on Capitol Hill.