Samuel Levy (1L)
The reading room is getting pretty packed, isn’t it? Well, it’s not surprising. Close to classes and the B.L.L.L., where else would you want to be come exam period? But if the buzz from the overhead lighting is getting a little bit too loud, or if the collective stress becomes a bit too palpable, here are some great gems around campus that offer some reprieve.
The U of T, bastion of higher education that it is, boasts over 30 libraries on St. George Campus; not surprisingly, there are a few decent ones near the law school. In addition to Emmanuel and Pratt (come early to claim the spacious 3rd floor reading room), there is Graham Library at Trinity College, and OISE library at Bloor and St. George. Both of these libraries have study rooms to reserve (OISE can be reserved online). Hart House Library is smaller but usually empty, and the dependable Hart House cafeteria – Sammy’s Student Exchange – is just a few flights down. Just next to Hart House is Gerstein library, the second home for thousands of life science students. There, it’s easy to find a desk with a large window and lots of natural light (no overhead buzz to be heard).
And now we come to St. George Street, with the two best study spots at U of T. First, I recommend Caven Library in Knox College, where you can find future Christian ministers and engineers alike. The peaceful courtyard within Knox itself makes for the perfect break. Second, U of T’s academic hub: Robarts Library. Some say it looks like a peacock, others say it’s more like a maximum security prison – I like to think it’s something in between. Try the fourth floor course reserves area if you feel like some uninterrupted reading – beware: no outlets. On the eighth floor, the East Asian and Hong Kong libraries are also worth the trek. These spots boast comfortable seating (leather couches), the best views, and the most space. Take note, the only way to get there is by taking the P4 elevator from the second floor. Robarts also attaches to the most interesting library on campus: Thomas Fisher. This collection boasts the university’s rarest books, as well as its most selective hours. You may also have to pretend to need one of their books to enter, but ultimately your productivity will be worth the hassle.
Okay with books, but not with campus? The Toronto Reference Library is your spot. Located on Yonge Street, just north of Bloor, the TRL has multiple, expansive floors with plenty of light and large desks. It was designed by famous Canadian architect Raymond Moriyama, who added features like a fountain at the bottom of the central, winding staircase, and study pods that look suspiciously like the ‘cone of silence’ from Get Smart. Perhaps Moriyama took the name ‘Reference Library’ a bit too literally. Complete with a Balzac’s on the main floor, it’s easy to see why this library got four stars on Tripadvisor.
Though Vic is located near the affluent Bloor-Yorkville neighbourhood, there are plenty of places to go for some more cost-effective fare. On Bay, New York Deli offers a satisfying breakfast special that comes out hot and fresh in minutes. Nearby is Avocado Sushi, which has a 10% discount for students if you ask. And on Wednesdays, Victoria College makes free pancakes in the Goldring Centre for most of the afternoon. You might also be pleasantly surprised by the complete meals at Bloor Street Market, in the Manulife Centre. Lastly, if you’re missing the quantity-over-quality dining experience that is res food, Burwash Dining Hall might be worth a visit. Every meal at Burwash is all-you-can-eat, with different drinks, a salad bar, hot entrées, fresh produce and a very respectable ice cream selection. The menu is online and, on the right day, the $13.50 can go a long way. In short, these options and others definitely get the job done; the five-course meal can wait until my Crim final.
Just because we’re stuck with our books this month doesn’t mean we need to be stuck to our seats. With all of the great study and meal options nearby, even exam period can be a time to uncover a great new find just minutes away.
