Campus Aesthetics: What Are the Nicest Harvard Study Spaces?

As temperatures drop, more and more students are abandoning the lounge chairs in Harvard Yard and the sunny, sprawling steps of Widener Library to return to their favorite indoor study spaces on campus. Often prioritizing sunlight (whenever possible) and aesthetically pleasing locations, students recently told The Harvard Crimson about their favorite places to study on campus.

Having frequented the Harvard Art Museums courtyard for a class, Sahana Narayan, a first-year master’s student in the Media, Medicine, and Health program, started going to the museum’s courtyard to study.

“I love the open layout of this lobby area because it’s aesthetic, but it’s also — you know — not too quiet,” Narayan said. “I don’t like studying in libraries too much because it’s always too quiet. And I like the fact that it’s pretty. It’s in a good location on campus. It’s close to other things.”

Ramya Chunduri, another first-year master’s student in the Media, Medicine, and Health program, also noted the museum’s perks as a study spot.

“I like the proximity to the cafe, and I like that there are people in the morning, but then there are times when there’s no one here,” Chunduri said. “And, I really like the architecture, it’s pretty to look at, and I can take breaks and go look around the museum, so that’s always fun.”

The museum’s inviting courtyard, also known as the Calderwood Courtyard, was built in the 1920s out of Italian travertine and replicates the façade of a villa in Tuscany.

Another place on campus known for its classical design, impressive architecture, and academic environment is Widener Library. From the labyrinthine stacks to the grand reading room, Widener has much to offer students who want a quiet space to work.

“I really like coming to Widener during the day because of the sunlight that comes in,” Stephanie Sanjines ’23 said.

In keeping with the general affinity for a well-lit and sharply designed spaces, another popular study spot on campus — known for its open design and airy atmosphere — is the Smith Campus Center.

“I’d say I like Smith because there’s a bit of noise, and yet, it’s a space for concentration. Personally, I don’t like spaces that are completely silent, like Widener, which I know a lot of people like, but not Smith — so that’s like a personal preference for me,” Rabsa Sikter ’24 said. “I like the architecture style, and you get sunlight. Just the environmental vibes, I guess.”

Quentin Aufort, a visiting student in the class of 2024, enjoys the relaxed atmosphere of the Smith Campus Center’s 10th floor, a modern, student-only space with couches, coffee tables, and views of the Charles.

“Well, I love Smith because you can basically work and chill at the same time. Like, you have some pretty nice couches, also some pool tables,” Aufort said.

Similarly, regarding the 10th floor of the Smith Campus Center, Emily Parke ’24 said, “I like the natural lighting, obviously, I mean right now it’s a little rainy, but I mean I like working up here too. I’m not sure if it’s the most aesthetically pleasing place, but I do like the windows. I definitely need some natural lighting. And, I like places a little more quiet, I guess, than on the rowdy side.”

In addition to the well-known study spaces, like the Calderwood Courtyard, Widener Library, and the Smith Campus Center, many students seek refuge from the winter in less-crowded, more eclectic study spaces that offer equally — if not more — enchanting atmospheres.

“Very few people know about it, but the Business School Chapel is really beautiful. It has a greenhouse and koi fish, and it’s just very peaceful and meditative. And that’s one of the most aesthetic places on campus,” Zazie Huml ’25 said. “I think that the Quad is underrated… And Cabot’s dining hall with the glass walls is just very nice… I like the art, I like the trees, I like it especially in the fall when it turns a lot of colors.”

As the wind chills grow harsher and snow begins to fall, consider taking your books to some of these light-filled, secluded, and welcoming corners of campus.