TESTimator: study spots on campus

 

 

While the university library’s primary purpose is to store collections of books and journals, most university students use the library to study. Both silent and non-silent areas are provided, but the silent areas are often full by 11:00 - 15:30. If you do get lucky, there are some share my chair spots available at those hours, but that means you have to leave when the time is up. The tables are quite spacious, and on average, each person can use two power outlets, so you can charge your laptop and your phone! You can find different range of chairs available: rolling, sturdy, and cushion. The temperature is also cozy, so you do not have to wear a jacket. Of course, after a few hours in the library, you probably feel hungry. Nearby, you can have a nice hearty meal in De Etude located in Tinbergen building, or some small snacks in Bean Square located in Theil, though a little bit pricey. SPAR will be slightly further, around two minutes away if you are a fast walker. There are vending machines and coffee machines available on the first floor. You can easily park your bike near the library because there are many racks available. The library is also strategically located near the Kralingse Zoom station so you can definitely reach the library quick after your commute. Computers are provided and are free to use with your ERNA account. The bathroom, while located on each floor, does not have the best smell in the world, so maybe spend a little less time in the bathroom.

 

Opening Hours

Mon - Fri : 8:00 - 24:00

Sat - Sun, public holidays: 10:00 - 21:00

 

Final verdict: 4.5 / 5

 

 

Tutorials are often held in Polak, so it is no surprise that you will want to study your materials before the start of your tutorial! There are five levels in Polak, with each succeeding levels being quieter. The fifth level tends to be the most silent compared to other levels, but you will hear the coffee machines making noises every now and then. Computers are provided at each level, except for the first and the ground floor. SPAR is also a lot closer to Polak, and if you fancy a more fulfilling meal, Food Plaza and Erasmus Pavilijoen are around the corner. Still, you can always find a coffee machine or a vending machine in each one of the floors, but the coffee machines often run out of milk, so not the most reliable.  Similar to the library, the silent areas tend to be filled quickly, meaning by 11:00 - 15:30. The non-silent areas often have more flexibility, although, in the afternoon, it does often gets louder. Using the EUR Study Rooms app (available on both iOS and Android, also not sponsored at all), you can find classrooms that are not used. These can be used as a study space, especially useful if you want to use a whiteboard. Polak has full-size windows, which is great for natural lighting. The tables are much larger compared to the library, and there are also variations in chair types: tall, rolling, and sturdy. Printers are also available on all floors except for ground and level 5, and you can also find a water bottle station to stay hydrated!

 

Opening Hours:

Mon - Fri : 8:00 - 24:00

Sat - Sun, public holidays: 10:00 - 21:00

 

Final verdict: 4.2 / 5

 

 

While the Sanders building does not have as many study spots as the library or Polak, it does offer some silent and non-silent areas. While it might vary in different times of the year, Sanders usually get full around 12:00 - 14:30, but much less competitive in earning a spot compared to Polak and the Library. Natural lighting is impressive, so wherever you sit, you will always get some natural light. The tables, however, are quite small, with only one or two variations in chairs, mostly sturdy, and each person is somewhat limited to one power outlet. The building also does not have computers that you can use, but printers are available on both the ground and the first floor. SPAR is nearby with Food Plaza and Erasmus Pavilijoen around the corner. Still, of course, you can always opt for coffee from the coffee machine and small snacks from the vending machine. You can also use the EUR Study Rooms app to find rooms that are available for you to use. 

 

Opening Hours:

Mon - Fri : 8:30 - 22:30

Sat: 8:30 - 13:00

Sun, public holidays : closed

 

Final verdict: 3.3 / 5

 

 

Did you know that our very own Tinbergen building is named after Jan Tinbergen, the founding father of econometrics? Undoubtedly, studying econometrics in this building will just make the experience more complete. Even though there are rumours about Tinbergen being renovated, this will be postponed. This means more study spots are available to use. Compared to the other buildings that have been described, Tinbergen building is quite old, with a lack of power outlets and a not-so-warm heater. Some study spaces, however, are decorated to give a more modern look. The surface area of the table is quite small, with only one variation in chairs. More often likely, you will not always get a power outlet in each table. However, the Tinbergen building has a charming view, especially at its highest floor. You can enjoy a great view of Rotterdam while studying, with different types of study space available to meet your needs, from group work, silent areas, and non-silent areas. The cafeteria “De Etude” is located nearby and has very affordable and fresh meals every day of the week. Still, you can always get coffee from the coffee machine or walk nearby to the Theil hall. SPAR is relatively further, so it will take a slightly longer time. With recent weeks, Tinbergen has gained some popularity and tends to be full by 13:00 - 15:30. More likely you will find a spot, but with up to 17 floors, it might be time-consuming to check each level for a study space. Computer labs are available, perfect for doing those programming exercises. P-building is just right underneath where a lot of student associations are located, equipped with printers and a microwave so you can heat up your food. 

 

Opening hours

Mon - Fri: 7:30 - 22:30

Sat - Sun: 8:30 - 17:00

Public Holidays: closed

 

Final verdict: 3.7 / 5

 

 

G building is often overlooked due to its old architecture and its position around the campus. Some, though not a popular opinion, believed that G building might even be slightly haunted. Still, it is a study spot to consider. The FAECTOR office is located in G-building. If you have read the previous TESTimator article, you would know that FAECTOR’s coffee won the best price to quality ratio because it is free. Of course, with exams coming up, there is a great sense of overwhelmedness with the study. The G building is perfect to de-stress as it contains a meditation room to spend some mindful moments. The study spots are often divided into rooms, so the noise level depends on how you make your surroundings. On top of that, the temperature inside the room can be adjusted to meet your likings. Unfortunately, printers and computers are not available, so if you want to print something, the closest place you can reach is definitely the library. SPAR by far is the furthest compared to the other buildings in this article. However, you can always buy small snacks from the FAECTOR for as little as 50 cents (not sponsored by FAECTOR but highly recommended).

 

Opening hours

Mon - Fri: 8:30 - 19:00

Sat - Sun: closed

Public holidays: closed

 

Final verdict: 2.4 / 5

 

 

You will often find booths of student organizations or companies giving out information in Theil Halls. But you can also use it to study as chairs and tables are provided to study. While it might not always be the most ideal place to study and often used as a last resort, you can find one or two spots every once in a while. It does get quite loud when there are fairs or booths, but you can also catch free snacks once in a while. Bean Square Theil is available nearby where you can get small sandwiches or fresh bread. However, these are a little bit pricier compared to SPAR. Coffee machines are also available, but unfortunately not a lot of printers are nearby, but you can reach the library really quickly. Don’t forget to also check the EUR Study Rooms app to use empty classrooms nearby.

 

Opening hours

Mon - Fri: 7:30 - 22:30

Sat: 8:30 - 13:00

Sun: closed

Public holidays: closed

 

Final verdict: 2 / 5

 

 

You will often have programming-related tutorials in this building with due to its abundance of computers. Mandeville has some great study spots that people don’t often know as it is scattered towards different floors, and similar to Tinbergen building, it is time-consuming to search through the different floors. But its proximity to food places such as SPAR is definitely something to consider. You can also eat the Mandeville cafetaria located on the fourth floor, though slightly more expensive than Tinbergen’s De Etude. There are both silent and non-silent areas available. Like most buildings, it often gets full by 13:00, but every now and then you can always find a spot. 

 

Opening hours:

Mon - Fri: 7:30 - 22:30

Sat: 8:00 - 17:00

Sun, public holidays: closed

 

Final verdict: 3.2 / 5

 

There you have it! Now go out there and choose your study spots. Don’t forget to download the EUR Study Rooms app to check more spots. Though it is not always needed, make sure you bring your student ID. Good luck and success for your exams!