Where to study in NYC?

Question

I just started my GMAT prep. Unfortunately, my apartment isn't the best place to study on weekends. Are there any places, or public libraries that you can recommend for studying in NYC? Most of the branch libraries seem to be closed on Sunday's.

ishcabibble · Answer

I was in NYC a few times while studying for the GMAT and I spent some time in the main branch of the public library (on 5th Ave). It was pretty quiet in there and I *think* they're open on Sudays (I don't remember for sure). I also spent some time studying in the library at Columbia (for inspiration-and with the hope that some of the "smart" floating around might rub off on me!).

Otherwise, I'm sure that no matter where you are, you could probably find a Starbucks or other coffeehouse to sit in for a few hours. I personally benefit from a little background noise (it makes my mind not wander so much), but most coffeehouses are pretty quiet, with other people reading or talking quietly. Actually, the best ones to study in are around colleges because there will be other people there studying.

Sorry I couldn't give more specific places, but I tend to wander around when I'm in the city.

mediamindy · Answer

I found coffee shops to work well, except if you are doing one of those full length tests. When I took the real gmat, in Brooklyn, the outside noise was still loud. Jack hammers, horns, trucks... so it might be worth having some noise around to get used to it.

My favs:
-I am a fan of my company cafeteria after hours... no one is in there and there is plenty of room to spread out.
-News cafe on University near Union Square
-Ollies in Brooklyn

good luck

TimeSquareDesi · Answer

There are a lot of office buildings as well which have public areas that aren't that noisy... You can try the Citicorp building (53rd and lexington) - and there is also a barnes an noble there with a few tables that you can study at OR stay in the public "atrium" part of the building.

There are several other buildings which also double as motivation ;] i know the sony building off of 5th avenue has a public space as well as the ibm builing off of 57th street... i honestly would try to go to one of these places and more often than none you can find a quiet spot. 

starbucks sucks now that they started playing music that they also sell @ the counter... it's so loud and yeah, it might be okay music but when you're trying to study its a pain in the ____. 

hth,
 - tsd

bmwhype2 · Answer

how do u get access to columbia's lib?

i rather study at home. privacy..i tend to scratch every now and then.

TimeSquareDesi · Answer

LOLOL ^ Probably more feasible for most than getting into HBS. ^_^

Nitty · Answer

I say Brooklyn has the best coffee shops!

Ollies- parents come in here sometime with the brats
Height Coffee Shop- most cozy 
Saje- great spot, free internet, good food, and free coffee refills!

I go to one of the above places every day! Saje has late hrs til 11:30-12. Heights til 9, Ollies til 10- but they dont have free internet.

ioiio · Answer

Or pakistan. Musharaf was there in 05-06.

Btw, You can enter the engg school library with no card. You need a card to enter the building though. But there are always people around to let you in. You cannot enter the butler library or the b-school library without a card. But I am sure you can find plenty of quiet places in the campus to study.

You can try the lounges in most of the buildings. Again, if you wait for a couple of minutes, you can get in to any of these lounges even if you dont have a card.

ioiio · Answer

You mean the engg school building address???

I think it is Mudd Building at 120th street and amsterdam. Without a card, You would have to enter through the 116th & B'way main entrance and walk inside the campus to get to the engg building.

Nitty · Answer

Actually today I walked passed this really comfy looking coffee/sandwich shop on Lexington and 76th or 75th, on the corner. It looks like a quiet place to study and have a coffee or tea and get some studying done.

TimeSquareDesi · Answer

Another place I would reccommend is the Hunter College Library - in the East building I believe - on 68th street and Lexington avenue. That library is about 4 floors and if you go to some of the lower floors, you will see that it is absolutely silent there and the desks are huge - enough to spread out and tackle whatever you're persuing. 

HTH,
 - tsd

jstarr · Answer

Is the Hunter Library open to the public?

TimeSquareDesi · Answer

No it's not but I am sure you can walk in and tell them you forgot your ID or something. I am a student there but I see other people in there all the time with the 'I forgot my ID' excuse, sometimes they show their license/any other photo ID to get access. 

I know this isn't a public library but I put it on the table in case anyone wanted an ultra-quiet place to study. It's worth the effort I think to use their library.

Nitty · Answer

Also at BMCC if you live downtown, you only need a photo id to get into the building, and they have a quiet study room that is open til midnight and there is tons of space. I take Accounting there and I walk in and flash my drivers license.

jstarr · Answer

These are all great suggestions. Thanks guys! I'm specifically looking for places to study around Grand Central Station if anyone has them. My preference would be to find places that stay open late on weeknights.

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Where to study in NYC?

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