By: Sarah Kim
Hi! My name is Sarah, and I am one of the student ambassadors here in the Office of Admission! As a second-year student in an academically rigorous program, I have a set of go-to places I love to study and get work done.
- Teachers College – Gottesman Libraries | Hours: Typically 8 am – 11 pm, during finals 8 am – 1 am
TC’s library will be an obvious spot to point out, and for good reason! Gottesman offers several different floors and different vibes. On the first floor, you can study while walking on treadmills. These were put in because our neuroscience students suggested that movement and memory retention are related. The second floor is a collaborative space, so you can chat with friends while working. This floor also has what I call “emotional-support rock” pillows — pillows that look like rocks — if you need extra support during finals season. But my favorite spot is the third floor, the reading room. There, students are expected to be quiet. There are large tables to sit with new people and collectively do work or even individual cubicle-style seating options. The fourth and fifth floors have more stacks but are also available for students to visit.
- Columbia University – Northwest Corner Building Joe’s Coffee | Hours: 7 am – 7 pm
If you need a fantastic view, plenty of sunlight, and love the smell of a cafe, Joe’s Coffee in the Northwest Corner Building is the place for you. It’s a little hard to find a seat, but if you can, I tend to stay there for HOURS. The cafe is fantastic, and I love getting work done while taking breaks to look out the enormous windows that look at the TC campus!
- Columbia University – Science & Engineering Library | Hours: Varies, typically 9 am – 3 am
In that same building, you can find the Science and Engineering Library. This is a fantastic place to study and get work done. There are plenty of seats (but it can be packed during midterm and final seasons), and I appreciate how this library is typically open until 3 am. They also switch over to 24-hour availability during finals season. Just make sure to check their hours on their calendar!
- Columbia University – Butler Library | 24/7
This is one of the most, if not the most, iconic libraries here in Morningside Heights. Butler Library is Columbia’s main library, and it is beautiful. There is so much history and so many areas to discover within. I have spent many late nights at Butler during final seasons, and there’s a reason why I keep going back! Not only do the general vibes encourage me to be productive, but being around other students working hard also pushes me to get things done! They also have a little cafe called the Blue Java, which usually closes around midnight. I suggest booking a study room at Butler to secure a spot.
- Columbia University – Avery Library | Hours: Varies but tends to be (9 am – 11 pm)
Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library is highly underrated. I want to gatekeep this library SO badly! This is where I go when I know I need good vibes and quiet. I appreciate sitting on the long wooden desks and turning on a little lamp to set the mood for work. Again, you feel so much rich history in this building. Truly, this is one of my most coveted spots to do work. Like the Science and Engineering Library, please check their website to see the hours, as they can sometimes vary.
- Columbia University – Lerner Hall | Hours: 7:30 am – 12:30 am
Alfred Lerner Hall is the student center, or students’ union, of Columbia University! There are tables throughout this building for you to work in a bustling atmosphere. I like going to the cafe near the entrance as they have some good food!
- Hungarian Pastry Shop – 1030 Amsterdam Avenue near West 111th Street | Hours: 7:30 am – 8:30 pm
The Hungarian Pastry Shop is an Upper West Side classic. Again, there is so much history, the vibes are IMMACULATE, and the treats are so good. There’s always a long line for this place, and it can be hard to find a seat. But once you do, you stay there and grind out all your work. At least, that’s what I do. Also, order the Viennese coffee or the Russian. Just do it. Unfortunately, there is no Wi-Fi. I know, I know. No Wi-Fi? But trust me, use a hot spot and go because Hungarian is just that good.
- Columbia University – The Forum – 601 West 125th Street | Hours: 8 am – 8 pm
The Forum is a new Columbia building. It is a unique community gathering space that serves as the gateway to Columbia University’s developing Manhattanville campus and is open to the entire university as well as the local New York City community. Think of it as a meeting and event space and communal work areas. There’s Wi-Fi, and it’s a cool spot to check out to work with friends or by yourself.
- Dear Mama Coffee – 611 West 129th Street | Hours: 7 am – 10 pm
Dear Mama Coffee is located in Columbia’s Jerome L. Greene Science Center and is super close to the Forum! This cafe sometimes has live music and fantastic food options. Think hipster cafe, but good drinks and food! There are plenty of tables and excellent lighting, as huge windows surround the building.
- Ariston Cafe – 78 Fifth Avenue near West 13th Street | Hours: Varies, typically 7:30 am – 7 pm
Imagine you’re on Fifth Avenue and stop by a flower store to look around. You enter, and you’re welcomed by flowers all around you on the ceiling. It turns out it’s also a cafe with Wi-Fi and tables to do work! This cafe was a pleasant surprise for me and is such a lovely space to do work. I love that there are fresh flowers around you, and I thoroughly enjoyed my matcha lemonade.