It’s getting to that time in the semester when the deadlines are mounting up and exams are just around the corner. I’m guessing that everyone is pretty fed up of hanging out in the main university library so here are some of my top tips if you fancy a change of scene. So grab your books and laptop and try somewhere new.

1. Café Samson, Houtstraat: Technically a pub, but an absolute classic. If you get bored you can befriend one of the old guys and have a game of chess.
2. The Cultuur Café: Looking all pure fancy and new, its near to class and if it all gets a bit too much you can give up with your readings and drink away your sorrows.
3. HEMA Café, Grote Markt: Surprisingly nice! Free wifi, ridiculously cheap coffee and food and a lovely view of the Grote Markt.
4. Grotius Building Library: If you need to do some serious studying, this is the place to be. Just don’t make any noise unless you want to be faced with a death stare from some stressed out law students. The studious atmosphere can be catching so it’s the perfect place to be when you just need to get some work done.
5. Café Fuzz, Van Broeckhuysenstraat: Super cosy, always good music and lots of hipster-y people writing in moleskines. You can go here and feel cool and arty even if you are studying economics. I also heard a rumour that there is a café cat that sometimes pops in for a visit.
6. Public Library, Mariënburg: Public libraries are always great and this is a pretty fancy one. Also an amazing place to people watch as you attempt to understand your nonsensical notes from your class four months ago.
7. Café Fresca, Van Broeckhuysenstraat: Good coffee, delicious cakes and cosy furry cushions on the chairs, what more could you want in life?
8. Sports Café, Sports Centre: Maybe being around all those super fit people will mean that you absorb some of the exercise induced endorphins that are flying around. Endorphins equals brilliant essays without even needing to exercise.
9. Café de Mug, Pauwelstraat: Big cozy armchairs, coffee and muffins for study fuel.
10. Floor 20 of the Erasmus Building: Maybe you are not supposed to study here but you know, if you can’t be slightly rebellious when you are a student then when can you be? This has the best view ever; you can see all of Nijmegen and beyond. Perfect for taking your mind of the impending doom of post-university unemployment and debt-ridden life.

There still a lot of studying to be done in the next couple of months so if anyone has any tips on secret study places please let me know!

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