This page is an evaluation of various places to study in Davis. Some are places of business, and others are just good spots to study uninterrupted. See also WiFi Hot Spots, Night Time (list of open-late places), Cafes, and Restaurants. UC Davis Student Affairs has a list of extended study hours for finals.

Study hints from Psychology: Students who did best on tests were those who got sleep between the time of studying and the test. Students who stayed up all night and got no sleep did worse on tests than students who got sleep. The amount of study time was the same.

The reason for this is that sleep is necessary for memories to solidify. If you do not get sleep the memories do not stick. You can stay up and study but you will completely forget most of the information by test time. Those who got sleep recalled more information and were able to think more clearly during the test.

Studying for a short period of time everyday is better than waiting until the night before and trying to learn everything all at once. Cramming is an inefficient and mostly ineffective learning method. Spacing out studying and learning a little each day will reduce stress, increase recall, and improve test scores.

Outdoors

Studying outside

  • Arboretum Terrace - Probably one of the nicest outside places to study downtown. This is not the actual Arboretum, it's located on the side of what used to be Borders.
  • Arboretum - The real thing.
  • Map of parks in Davis 
  • ARC - Outdoor tables in front of the Cafe are seldom used, and when there are not events going on in the inside courtyard, it is surprisingly quiet. All locations have eduroam WiFi.
  • Amtrak Station - The train station has lots of very pleasant and comfortable benches. It is almost always empty so the only disturbance will come from the occasional extremely loud train passing by.
  • Shields Library - The inner courtyard is a great study area.

The ARC Cafe patio is shaded and quiet in the afternoons. ARC courtyard

Indoors

  • Shields Library - It can be loud during the day, but at night it's usually nice and quiet. Also on the plus side is the wireless internet available there, so you can surf the web with your laptop when taking breaks during long study sessions. Graduate students may also enjoy using one of Shields' study cages.
    • 24 Hour Reading Room - This place is technically part of Shields Library, but it's open 24 hours and only to UCD students via swiping a student card. It's usually ultra-quiet and not super conducive to group study (unless done within one of the two rooms set aside for group work). All the tables include table-top outlets for whatever you need to plug in (very nice). The room features two vending machines and restrooms (often dirty). 
  • Carlson Health Sciences Library - Over by the Veterinary School and the Aggie Stadium, this library always has tables, study booths, and even personal or group rooms you can check out for hours at a time available. Quiet and nice, find a seat by a power plug though- they can sometimes be hard to find. WiFi for UCD students with password and computers available for guest use.
  • The Laundry Lounge - Here you have a couch and a few chairs. There are tables and chairs outside and they have free WiFi. Sit and study in a clean quiet environment, while you get your laundry done. Or have them do it for you.
  • ARC - The Cyberlounge and Student Lounge are popular study spots with eduroam (student) WiFi and campus ethernet ports.
  • Sciences Laboratory Building - Second and third floor indoor study lounges have lots of windows. There are also several small meeting rooms around the building that are often unlocked and not in use.
  • Kemper Hall - The perfect place to go to get some work done if you are an Engineering or Computer Science major. Nice lounge area with comfortable chairs and some tables, as well a basement full of computers in the Computer Science Instructional Facility, which are accessible only to those who have taken certain classes in the department.
  • Learning Resource Center - Even though you are supposed to have an access card, you can wait for someone to come out to get it! If you bring your laptop and an ethernet cable along, you'll have internet too!
  • Griffin Lounge - Busy, but quiet.
  • Davis Public Library - They have study rooms for 2 people or large groups (4+). Otherwise, plenty of tables and chairs for your use, but they aren't open very late on weekends. Young children (and their attendant noises) in the library may be distracting. 
  • Mondavi Center's Quarterly Study Session - Held in the Yocha Dehe Lobby of the Mondavi Center, free coffee, plenty of outlets, tables, and classical music are provided once a quarter during finals week. Like Aggie Arts on Facebook for quarterly dates!

Cafes

Coffee shops tend to be more tolerant of studiers than restaurants. The basic rule of thumb is to buy something once in a while, so you don't actually cost them customers while you merely hog space.

The Good

  • Common Grounds - Very tolerant of studiers. The owner and staff are quite friendly to regulars, including those who come to study.
  • Delta of Venus - Though there's always the danger of spotting a familiar face around Delta, afternoons are often pretty sparse and quiet, especially after the brunch rush on the weekends. While not in possession of many electrical outlets, the whole atmosphere is more open and more conducive to studying if you prefer studying in less cramped conditions.
  • Temple Coffee - Free Wifi for 3 hours at a time.
  • Mishka's - They are tolerant yet secretly hateful of students. The owner personally told a customer that he "hates students" because they never want to buy anything [and his cafe is actually a place of business, not a public school]. You must buy something to get a WiFi code that expires in 2 hours. So if you're into contributing to a greedy business that's only in it for the money [and you're not a cheap freeloading communist], this is your spot. The ambiance in there is very enjoyable.
  • ARC Peets - This place is made for studying. It's huge and has tons of seating and tables.
  • Cloud Forest Cafe - This place has a decent amount of room inside and on the patio for studying; it used to be a game room, after all! Their food and awesome coffee should keep your spirit fueled while you study. Plus, the staff is incredibly friendly. There are two hours of free WiFi with each order.
  • Philz Coffee - Lots of spots for studying and unlimited free wifi, music can be loud though and drinks are on the pricier side.
  • Downtown Starbucks - Decent amount of seating, unlimited free wifi, and is open later than most other cafes in Davis (but still just 7pm).
  • Downtown Peets - Lots of seating, outlets, and unlimited free wifi. Closes quite early though, typically at 5pm.

Restaurants

While studying in a restaurant may not always be a good thing to do, some do promote a study-friendly atmosphere.

The Good

  • Crepeville - Decent, although don't abuse this. Word is that the management is increasingly frustrated with studiers who do nothing but order coffee and get free refills during peak times. If we want to preserve this place as a place to study, actually having dinner would be a good idea. And they have salads so huge, it takes about 2 hours to eat, anyway.
  • Woodstock's Pizza - Very loud, but very tolerant and friendly

 

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