Dear Lucy,

I am having trouble studying in my dorm room with my roomies there. I tried to go to Starbucks, but it is too crammed and busy. As an alternative, I tried to go to Central Park, but there was no Wi-Fi. Any ideas?

Sincerely,

In Need of Peace and Quiet

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Dear In Need of Peace and Quiet,

The semester is in full swing, so there is always that need for some serious quiet alone time. It is always difficult figuring out how to study, while your roommates may have different priorities or studying patterns than you do—but fear not! There are many different solutions to your problem than you may have thought!

Whether you are sharing a dorm room with two super loud roommates, or sharing a studio apartment with your best friend, there will always be ways to put your priorities first, and in this case it is studying.

1. Try setting boundaries and guidelines between roommates as early as possible. If you like to study at night, then maybe your roommates have a friend living in another room that is watching Scandal too, so you can have a few hours of study time to yourself! Hopefully they will be open and willing to quieting down for your study session, or they will be willing to leave the room for a set time period that you both agreed on.
2. If you do not feel comfortable approaching your roommate regarding your studying needs, then there are always other quiet options ready for your silent studying desires! At the LIM College dorms, there are various public lounges and study spaces that will allow you to get out of your room without leaving the building.
3. Starbucks is always busy and is not exactly the best spot for studying—unless, of course, you are studying the art of people watching. Opt for a lesser-known café or coffee shop such as Effy’s Café on 92nd and 3rd—they have free Wi-Fi and outdoor seating for studying outside in the warmer months.
4. Also, the New York Public Library is hands down one of the best places to go for a few hours and knock out some papers and study in blissful silence. The 96th Street Public Library is located just a few blocks from the LIM dorms—at 112 East 96th Street near Lexington Ave—making it the ultimate studying spot away from the dorms. Or, if you feel like making the trek, head down to the Reading  Room at t he 42nd Street Library—it's a real city landmark.

If none of these suggestions are going to suit your needs, then I would say to always be proactive. If your roomies are not being respectful, then I would not hesitate to contact your RA or any staff member from Residence Life. Perhaps they can help you out with your current living situation and can help set some guidelines in your living space, or they may even be able to move you into a different room that is more suited to your needs.

Always keep in mind, where there is a will, there is a way to get your studying done!

Happy Studying,

Lucy

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