1. Home

A high percentage of BC students vehemently declared that their humble abode is the best place to study. Students expressed that the comfort of personal possessions such as their mother’s paisley couch in the living room and their own desk makes concentration easier to attain. The convenience of their own kitchen stocked with life-sustaning Funions, Friedos and caffeinated beverages as well as access to their own resources are some of the extra advantages that students found in studying at their home.

2. Grace Van Dyke Bird Library

The on-campus library turns out to serve its purpose. “People actually consider this to be a library,” said Brett Tathwell, a computer science major, who was commenting on the quiet atmosphere, and like a high estimate of students found his school library to be the ideal environment for studying next to home. The familiar and comfortable setting as well as the availability of resources, aside from the ever-popular computer access to Myspace, is what makes the campus library a common stop for students. The assortment of books on the first story, that range from long-winded biographies to cerebral studies in post-humanism, is one of the features that attracts the masses. Access to human resources is another unique aspect that students claim the campus library provides. “It’s easier here because you see students in your class and can compare notes. And you also have a better chance of seeing a professor,” said Paul Cantu, a history major.

3. Bakersfield College

Cafeteria

The site of open notebooks, the group of students discussing anthropology, and the student highlighting lines in textbooks are typical scenes often associated with the cafeteria, or what is also referred to as the Renegade Grill. “It’s like being at home,”said Art Trejo, a history major at BC, who was surrounded by a group of friends. The raucous noise isn’t something one often encounters at home, although the sound of blaring chatter and clanging trays doesn’t dissuade BC students from constantly mulling over their textbooks at the campus eatery.

4. Walter W. Steirn Library

Several students consider the California State University, Bakersfield, library to be the Sistine Chapel of libraries. The seemingly endless numbers of books that are stocked on shelves that fill the four-story building is why some students consider it to be an upgrade in comparison to other libraries. According to Edward Souvannakham, a criminal justice major at BC, the university library is more useful because of its size and atmosphere. “It’s bigger and there’s not as many there people,” said Souvannakham. The convenient hours of the towering library is another exclusive quality that has BC students making the drive to their local university. The Walter W. Steirn Library is open seven days a week, unlike the county libraries, Monday through Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday 11a.m. to 7 p.m.

5. Starbucks Coffee shops

College students often consider coffee one of their closest allies when midterms and finals besiege them. It’s no wonder the trendy Starbucks coffee venues are popular study locations. “I like the music and the people there,” said Alex Montano, a film major at BC, who also works at one of the locations. The shop on 2659 Mount Vernon Avenue and the one of 1200 Chester Avenue according to students are brimming with students who are engaged in their studies. The soft and swanky jazz music, the smell of coffee, and the ultra modern interior are features students’ mention in describing what attracts them to the commercial coffee chain. However, students weren’t completely satisfied with Starbucks because of the small and impossible to use tables, and the annoying hiss of the espresso machine.