One of the hardest parts of studying is choosing a good location to get work done. Here are some of my favorite places on and off campus to study. 

The classic study spot is Leavey Library. It is open 24 hours a day during the week and has group study areas and quiet study areas. When I need to get a lot of work done, I go to the third floor, which is the quiet floor, and has the added bonus of having great views of Doheny Library (see the cover photo). 

Another one of my favorite spots is the Library for International & Public Affairs, located under DMC. While it is underground, there is a window that lets in a lot of natural light and there are many comfortable chairs or desks. It is always less crowded if you are looking for a more secluded location to study. 

Outside of libraries, I love studying in the new CS building, Ginsburg Hall. The building is gorgeous and there are a lot of great areas to sit with friends and study. There are also several study pods where you can take a call, play music, and focus on work. The photo below is of one of my favorite parts of Ginsburg since it has so much natural light. 

One of the best parts about being in LA is that the weather is perfect year round. I love to study outside on one of the many tables or benches, or even on the grass. After a long day of studying, I like to sit in the sun enjoying the grass and fresh air. 

If I am feeling adventurous, I enjoy taking the metro, which is free for USC students, to Koreatown to enjoy one of the many cafes. One of my favorites, About Time, is in Koreatown and has Basque cheesecake and matcha. The photo below is the food from About Time. I highly recommend visiting!

 

Talise Baker-Matsuoka

I am studying Electrical and Computer Engineering and I am from Palo Alto, California. I will be graduating with the class of 2027. Outside of class, I am a course producer for EE 141 Linear Algebra and a member of the LSSA! Additionally, beyond academics, I am on the USC equestrian team.

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