As the AP exam season approaches, the pressure is on. You might find yourself piling your review books and practice tests on your desk, and studying at home can start to feel monotonous and distracting. Sometimes, a change of scenery might just be what you need to regain that hyperfocus and stay productive. If you’re looking for a fresh study space in Ann Arbor, here are some of the best spots I’ve found to help you prepare for your exams!
Duderstadt Library– for Distraction-Free Studying
If you need complete silence to concentrate, the Duderstadt Library is the perfect escape. Located on the North Campus of the University, it offers a quiet atmosphere compared to other libraries on Central Campus. If you want to bring your textbooks and need more room, there are plenty of spacious tables thanks to its modernist interior design, and whiteboards, making it a great place to grind through practice problems. Moreover, if you need more privacy, there are individual study rooms or desks with heightened walls for absolute concentration which could help keep your focus up during the long study sessions.
Hatcher Graduate Library– For that Classic Library Vibe
If you want to feel a little more traditional and academic haven-y rather than modernistic, Hatcher Library on Central Campus might be the best place for you. With its towering bookshelves, cozy study nooks, grand reading rooms, and its main study hall with ambient lights (my favorite spot!), Hatcher provides an old-school, more scholarly atmosphere that’s perfect for the ultimate hyper focused study sessions. The absolutely quiet floors ensure minimal distractions, making it an ideal location to grind out those essay/memorization-heavy AP exams. However, note that this Library is only open to the public until 5 pm…which leads us to our next study spot you can quickly migrate to in just a couple steps!
Shapiro Undergraduate Library– For Group Study and Resources
Located right behind Hatcher Library is the Shapiro Library– for those who prefer a more social but still productive study setting, Shapiro (aka the UGLi) is a great option. With its collaborative spaces, whiteboards, and many spots to spread out with friends, Shapiro offers a great environment for you and your team to tackle tough problems together. Whether it be a question you’re stuck on in AP Calculus or an AP Physics problem set, studying with a group at Shapiro can make a huge difference. Plus, both Hatcher and Shapiro are right in the heart of Central Campus– grab a bite of food or drinks before, during or after to keep that energy going!
Ondo Bakery– For a Cozy, Aesthetic Study Spot
If you’re tired of staring at the same four walls at home and want a study space with good lighthearted food and a relaxing atmosphere, Ondo Bakery is a great choice. Their freshly baked pastries and complimentary drinks make studying a little more enjoyable, and the ambient but natural lighting helps keep you alert. I would highly recommend this place if you want to tackle more simple tasks like multiple-choice practice or reviewing flashcards for AP subjects. It’s also right in the middle of Central Campus, so there are plenty of options nearby if you want a good-filling meal!
M36 Coffee Roasters– For the Optimal Balanced Study Session
What I like to call an underrated study gem, M36 Coffee Roasters offers both a peaceful and motivating setting with great drinks, making it a perfect place to study if you need to escape the typical campus spots. Best when visited during the day, M36 offers two floors: If you want peace and a chill, relaxed vibe, go for the first floor where you can enjoy the sunshine and drink a nice cup of coffee while leisurely going over some review guides or planning out your study day. Once you head down to the basement, that’s where all the grinding happens. With its rustic interior and bustling atmosphere full of people grinding out their essays, the contrasting floor provides a great space where you can find motivation from the others to tackle yours too. These two floors give a great opportunity for you to alternate between each for a productive study session.
Finally, with AP exams coming right around the corner, switching up your study space can help boost motivation and focus. Whether you need a silent library, collaborative space, or a nice cozy café, Ann Arbor provides plenty of options to do so. Find the one that works best for you, grab your study materials, and power through these last few weeks!
