Summer B’s about to start and when you’re cramming a semester’s worth of class into six weeks, you’re going to need some study time. We know you’re not getting anything done at your cluttered desk  in your dorm room. Even if you’re a commuter, there’s a good chance you don’t want to study at home for fear of distractions. Here are six spots our staff recommends that break the mold.

Lulu Ramadan — Anne Boykin Healing Garden; six semesters at FAU

“You need to swipe your owl card to get into the Nursing building, but usually one of the secretaries at the desk will just let you in. If you walk straight through the building, you’ll get to the healing garden.

Relax in the wooden rocking chairs under the trees. (You might even find a couple of people meditating near the flower beds.) Apparently there’s an unspoken rule where everyone stays silent because it’s one of quietest places on campus.”

 Pierce Sargeant– First Floor of Library; three semesters at FAU

“If you really want a good place to study in the library, it is the first floor. The best time to get there would be 8 a.m. because not a lot of people will be there. It is quiet and has plenty of room to spread your notes out on the tables and either study for a test or write a term paper. Also, one of the best things about this area is Dunkin’ Donuts on the first floor to grab a cup of coffee or a donut to start your day.”

Emily Bloch — Whole Foods (across the street on Glades); five semesters at FAU

“When I’m sick and tired of eating and studying on campus, I cross the street and head to Whole Foods. It’s a ten minute walk or a two minute drive, but I promise you’ll end up saving money.

Instead of spending $9 on fish tacos at the Burrow Bar — it’s the best thing on their menu, and it doesn’t even come with fries — you can spend 7.99/lb and stuff your face at their hot bar. The macaroni and cheese changed my life.

The best part about studying at Whole Foods is you get to feel really productive. Run your errands, eat lunch, grab a smoothie, and study away from the land of the Owls for a change.

Also, buy yourself an aromatherapy shower tablet. It may sound hippy-dippy, but when it comes to your subpar, leaky dorm shower and you’re in the middle of midterms and ready to kill your roommates because they don’t want to clean their dishes, you’ll thank me.”

Johan Vasquez — Second floor of the library; two semesters at FAU

“Entering the library, and with slight misanthropy at all the students roaring over one another on the first floor,I’ll make my way upstairs to any of the north facing windows and sit. There’s a conversation going on there as well, written along the frames of the windows, are poems, platitudes and anonymous advice, if you feel burned out from studying you can engage in quiet conversations or emulate your inner Banksy.”

Cristina Solorzano — Lake behind the Arts & Humanities; five semesters at FAU

“I don’t study. As an English major, most of my work consists of reading novels and writing papers, but when I do need some quiet time to concentrate, I go to the lake behind the Arts and Humanities building.

With concrete benches lining the lake, and only the occasional passers by, it’s the perfect place to get your work done. It’s quiet, but the distinct sounds of the surrounding nature keep it from being too quiet, not to mention it’s a beautiful view to take in when looking up from your work. And, you may even find yourself making friends with a few turtles that lurk close by in hopes of getting scraps of your food.”

Jillian Melero — Living Room Theaters; two semesters at FAU

“Study European style, outdoors with a cappuccino or a glass of wine.

The Living Room Theaters are my midday oasis. It’s located in the Culture and Society building, one of the less crowded locales on campus. The lobby area has some couches and chaises to curl up on and outlets to charge my laptop.

The LRT restaurant is one of the few places on campus to grab a bite or a drink after 4pm.

Yes, you can take notes and sip wine at the same time. However, most of the time, I like to sit at the outdoor tables to people/duck watch. Whenever I’m getting eye-strain from staring at this monitor for too long, I look out over the lake for a minute and day dream. It takes some of the serious out of the study experience.”

Sabrina Martinez–Burrow Bar; two semesters at FAU

“The most common places to study are usually the most quiet. Personally I hate studying in a quiet environment because then any little noise becomes a distraction. My favorite place to study is the Burrow Bar near the cafeteria; there’s good food and they play all kinds of music from the random, strange music you find on Youtube after clicking on 20 of those inaccurate suggestions on the side bar, to the top ten songs that loop on the radio all day long.

Even though the music isn’t the best I like it because it’s easier to tune out. Don’t get me wrong, they have those days where they kill it and the music is great but I go there to study more so than anything else. I find it easier to have a million distractions like the music, the conversation, the TVs, and the pool players to block out all at once to focus on my work and studies. Plus all those distractions evolve into something to do when you want to take a break from studying.”