by: Tabea Krettenauer, U3, Political Science & Psychology
Finding a good place to study can make a huge difference in how productive you are. After trying almost every library and café near campus, here are the spots I always go back to. Whether you want silence, a quick session between classes, or a cozy café for a long grind, here are my reviews of the best study spots on and around campus.
On Campus
Schulich 6
My go-to and die-hard spot when I need to lock in. The only flaw is that during the day it’s always packed and basically impossible to get a seat, so I don’t go between classes. I study more at night, so after 5pm is ideal and there are usually seats. The 6th floor is silent and perfect for a full lock-in.
Islamic Studies Library
The Islamic Studies Library is stunning. I go here between classes because it’s not as busy as Schulich or McLennan. I usually sit on the second floor in a cubicle or at the big table in the back. The vibe is calm and the architecture is unreal. My only con is that it’s very warm and cozy, so if I’m tired it can make me sleepy.
Birks
Birks is also one of my favorite spots to study between classes. One warning: because it’s an old building, you do need to take off your shoes before entering the reading room. It’s not very big, so seats are limited. I can only study here for shorter periods, but that’s just me. The space itself is really nice with huge windows.
Law Library
The Law Library is beautiful — tons of seats, huge windows, and a great atmosphere. It’s a serious library, so it’s not the place to chat with friends. The vibe can be tense, but honestly that helps me get into a working mindset. I really like the third and fifth floors. The third has a main area with great lighting and cubicles, while the fifth has fewer seats but a really nice skylight. The only flaw is the hike up the hill, right between Stewart Bio and McMed.
Around Campus
If I’m studying somewhere that’s not a library, I’m always at a café. Here are my favorites near campus, judged by vibe, drinks, and food. I drink coffee sometimes, but I prefer matcha, so keep that in mind.
Osmo
Osmo is a classic. It’s about 10 minutes down Sherbrooke, but the quality makes it worth it. The matchas are insane — still one of my favorites in Montreal. The food, especially the curries, is top tier. I haven’t tried the baked goods, but my friends say they’re really good. Price-wise it’s reasonable: drinks are $6–8 and food is around $12. There are a good number of seats, but it’s usually packed. It’s also pretty loud and sometimes they have a full DJ, so if you need silence, bring noise-cancelling headphones.
Notman
I love Notman — super underrated and hidden. It’s in the museum next to Sherbrooke 680. Walk in, turn left immediately, and you’ll find the café. I’m usually not a fan of museum cafés because they’re mid and overpriced, but this one is actually good. Drinks are delicious and fairly priced at around $5–6. The food is also surprisingly good, though a bit more expensive at $10–15 for a sandwich or salad, but the portions are solid. The only con is that it’s small, so seating is limited, especially during lunch. It’s also noisy from the kitchen and people talking.
Leaves
Leaves is right down the street from the main gates on McGill. They have big tables, which are perfect for studying with friends, and it’s super close to campus. Their mochas are really good because they melt real dark chocolate, but I don’t love their matcha. Everything is plant-based, and they have a ton of milk options with no extra charge. There’s plenty of seating, especially in the back on the elevated floor behind the barista station. Overall, it’s solid. I’ve been going for years.