The Top Nine Scenic Study Spots
By Rebecca Antler and Aaliyah Freeman
antlerr@vcu.edu, freemanaa@vcu.edu
As the weather continues to warm and the flowers bustle and bloom, we are once again seeing the VCU campus spring into action with students flocking outdoors to enjoy the sun; yet, with an Honors course load, it can be hard to find the time to soak in that Vitamin D. Finding that perfect outdoor study spot can revitalize your spring schedule and make your steady journey towards finals just a bit easier. According to research collected by the American Psychological Association (APA), spending time in green spaces, which includes urban nature, can improve mental cognition, mental health, and emotional well-being. They report that being in nature will not just improve your mood, but also focus and concentration, so you can boost your mood and your grades at the same time.
Who says visiting a new café or boba shop should be reserved for the weekend? I’ve found that the best time to study at a new location is during my day in between classes. Not only does it motivate me to get my work done, but it also helps my day feel much less dominated by academics and adds an element of excitement to an activity we all struggle to love: homework.
Thus, below is my list of the seven best spots on and near campus that I recommend to anyone in need of some new scenery while tackling their workload.
Who says visiting a new café or boba shop should be reserved for the weekend? I’ve found that the best time to study at a new location is during my day in between classes.
VMFA Sculpture Garden
Hear me out – I know this one is a little far from campus; however, with the GRTC service waiving its transit fees until at least 2025, it costs no money and very little time to hop on a bus and take a trip down to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. You can also opt for the 25-minute walk from the center of campus for a scenic tour through the Fan before settling down to study.
The sculpture gardens, in particular, are not as secret as they are underutilized. Most people head to the VMFA to spend a few hours indoors admiring the art, making it a great rainy day activity; however, just behind the main entrance is a beautiful grassy area complete with trees, tables, and free Wi-Fi! The serenity of the trickling water and the quietness that the space offers in the middle of the workday is unmatched. Plus, if you are in need of a caffeine boost, the Best Café inside the VMFA can serve as the perfect study pick-me-up.
Scuffletown Park
Look closely or you just might miss this one. Scuffletown Park is located on the quaint Strawberry Street in the Fan and is only a 15-minute walk from campus. After walking down a gravel alley between two houses, you’ll find the park nestled in the middle of residential homes and a community garden. While it may seem small, the quiet nature of this park lends itself to being a fantastic place to focus on reading or studying tedious material. Scuffletown also has large benches and tables, perfect for spreading out materials or studying with friends. Even on the warmest days, this park is filled with large, leafy trees that provide shade from the sun.
Meadow Park
You may actually pass this next park on your way to Scuffletown. Just a quick ten minutes from campus along the beautiful Park Avenue sits Meadow Park, a little sliver of paradise in an unassuming spot. This little pocket park boasts large trees and beautiful landscaping, and its proximity to campus makes it the perfect place to settle in and study for an afternoon. It is rarely ever crowded or busy, creating an ideal atmosphere for those who need a little extra quiet to focus. It also happens to be right next to Garnett’s Cafe, a delicious sandwich shop with fantastic prices.
Byrd Park
For those of you who don’t mind walking a little further to find your perfect study spot, this might just be the place for you. Byrd Park, while being a 30-minute walk from campus, is the largest and most scenic of these locations. Sitting at 287 acres, Byrd Park is truly a sight to behold — the main attraction being the Fountain Lake at its center. While the park is massive and well-known in the Richmond community, its size creates many quiet corners and shady spots that are perfect for a day-long study session. If you appreciate larger, more open spaces, it just might be worth the walk.
Cabell Library: Balcony
This spot is pretty underrated, but the library has a balcony on the third floor that overlooks part of the compass. Especially on nicer days, skip the search for a seat inside the library and venture out to the balcony for some fresh air while you study!
Got Dumplings
This restaurant right up the street from the Honors College building is a popular dinner stop for VCU students; however, I’ve found that it’s rare to see people eating in-house, especially during the afternoon, so it’s a relaxed, clean environment to study in. There is seating that faces floor-to-ceiling windows if you like to people-watch here and there. There are also broad, wooden tables that are great for study groups of four to sit and do work at. Not to mention, the restaurant serves a great Vietnamese coffee that will keep you alert and working.
The Pit and The Peel Rooftop
Pit and Peel is a modern, hipster restaurant that serves smoothie bowls, artisan pizzas, toasts, and more. Located just off of Main St. and less than a mile from the Temple building, it’s a trendy hotspot for young adults and students trying to get some work done away, but not too far away, from campus. The best part of this spot is the rooftop seating, which is ideal when paired with a warm day and a smoothie bowl. Worried about all of the seating on the roof being taken? The downstairs space is also pristine and great for studying, with broad windows allowing natural light to illuminate the place and greenery laced around its walls and ceilings.
The ICA
The Institute of Contemporary Art is VCU’s very own contemporary art museum. With clean, well-lit spaces, tables, and a café featuring a delicious, unique selection of drinks, it has all of the ingredients for a conducive study environment. Plus, during much-needed study breaks, you can stroll around and decompress by surveying some of the art created by VCU students and Richmond residents.
College of Engineering West Hall: Green Space
The Engineering West Hall right next to Gladding Residence Center has a beautiful, fenced-in green space on its side that’s always open and rarely used. This space is great if you love to do homework in Monroe Park on nice days, but become easily distracted by the crowds. There are also a few benches to sit on if picnic blankets aren’t your style, and a short walk down the street will lead you to TT Lounge, a great boba shop on West Cary St. that’s there for all of your tea and coffee cravings while studying.
Richmond contains a plethora of beautiful outdoor spaces; these are just a few that stand out. Whether you want to read outside for half an hour or study in a group from sunrise to sunset, being in nature while working is a fantastic way to spruce up your everyday routine and add a little mindfulness to your life. Even if you don’t visit any of these places, I implore you to explore the city for your own personal study spot. I guarantee it will be worth it.
Photo courtesy of Pexels