Exam Season Essentials: Where to Study in Groningen
The first semester done. The first study sessions survived. The first exams? Passed. For a brief, happy moment, life feels normal again. Coffee dates replace studying, and stress is forgotten. But just when we started getting comfortable… I couldn’t help but wonder: Was exam season ever really gone?
Since another round is already right around the corner, and we’re going to do this again, we might as well do it in places that make it slightly more enjoyable. So, in the spirit of romanticizing life, here are my go-to study spots in Groningen.
The D.E. Café (Douwe Egberts)
With two locations in the city (Brugstraat 28 & Rode Weeshuisstraat 4), it offers a great number of seating options for both solo study sessions and group meetings. Free WiFi and the delicious food and beverage options help make the café a place you’ll want to stay. Another bonus are the opening hours, from 8:00 to 22:00 every day, so you can even squeeze in an after-dinner study session. Make sure to bring your headphones, the lively environment can get quite loud and may be distracting.
The Social Hub
The Social Hub, located at Boterdiep 9, is a great option for studying right near the city centre. It offers many seating options, from small tables to large ones for group work or bigger study sessions. Furthermore, there is a silent area that allows you to really lock in without distractions. Its location also gives you the opportunity to take a walk along the canals if you need a break from studying.
Backwerk
Backwerk is a practical choice. Like Douwe Egberts but nicer to the student budget, it offers a wide selection of snacks and drinks to keep you going. With two locations on the Vismarkt, free WiFi, and plenty of seating, it shows that studying doesn’t have to be expensive to be effective.
The Barista Café (My personal #1!)
There’s WiFi, the coffee and food are great, but the real bonus is the people-watching. When your brain needs a little break from studying, a glance up from your laptop offers endless entertainment. Huge windows offer a great view of the street, providing you with outfits to rate, a game of „I spy” and much more. It’s a place where studying feels less like a chore and more like a choice, somehow, that makes getting work done just a little easier.
University of Groningen Library/Hanze Library
Sometimes, a café just won’t do it. When silence is non-negotiable, the libraries are there. Both universities in Groningen have libraries spread around the city. The UB (University of Groningen Library) is located opposite the Academy Building in the city centre and offers many study options for students. It’s important to note that Hanze students cannot enter the UB during the RUG exam period. For Hanze students, the Hanze Library located on the Zernike Campus in ZP07 is a great alternative. Both options are great for silent study sessions that leave you focussed and motivated.
Your Own Room
And then there’s the most underrated study spot of all: your own room. It gives comfort, no travel time, and the freedom to study whenever you want. To make studying easier, it is important to create a clear and organised workspace. A tidy desk, good lighting, and a comfortable chair can make a big difference. Important can be, keeping distractions to a minimum, for example putting the phone away or using the focus setting. Also, having water, snacks, and all necessary study materials close ensures you can focus without interruptions. If you want to keep the romanticizing up, maybe light a candle and put on a study playlist.
So as the next exam season comes closer, maybe the real question isn’t if we’ll survive it, but where. And if choosing the right study spot can make the process just a little less painful, isn’t that worth considering?
– Written by Kea Janßen