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The Periodical Reading Room

Alap Patel | I'm a member of the Class of 2015 and I'm from California. I'm pre-med with a major in health, behavior, and society and a minor in legal studies. I was also accepted into the Rochester Early Medical Scholars (REMS) program. I am on the UR Bhangra Team and in Delta Upsilon fraternity.
February 25, 2013

The Periodical Reading Room

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By far my favorite place on campus is the Periodical Reading Room (PRR), one of the quiet study halls at the University of Rochester. Yes, it is a library, but to me it is so much more. It is a place where students' academic interests are shared with each other because on any given day, you can see students studying for so many different subjects, which I feel pays homage to Rochester's flexible curriculum and students' amazing study habits.

I love that the study hall is so calming and serene, and still has a vibe to it that makes you want to get your work done. It's nice knowing that your closest friends are right there with you, experiencing your highs and lows. School can get difficult, yes, but knowing that the people who care about you are right there by your side is extremely comforting.

The tables in the PRR are huge, so for someone like me who likes to sprawl out papers and notebooks, it's perfect. There are outlets at every single table, so that is never a problem, and there is a tunnel connecting to Starbucks, so coffee runs are also no problem. And best of all, it's open until 3 a.m. on the weekdays. Now, I encourage everyone to get their work done early, but it's hard to avoid that one night when you really need to finish that paper and you need to stay in.

The PRR is also central on campus as well, as it is only a few minutes away from most academic buildings. It's a great place to get some reading done for your classes in your gap hours throughout the day. It's also a great place to just run into your friends. All of Rochester's libraries allow food and drink inside, so munching on your sandwich and reading your book on World War II is totally acceptable. If you're a prospective student, I hope you all get a chance to visit our campus, and of course visit the Periodical Reading Room!

What's your favorite place on campus?