Open ’till late: Best places to study in melbourne
Photo: Aun Ngo
OKAY last minute crammers, we’ve done the legwork for you and updated the best spots in town to hole up and study till late
Libraries
Misery loves company, and it sometimes helps to know there are others in the same boat as you. A number of libraries have extended their opening hours to give students long stretches of uninterrupted study. Just remember to implement your new-found library etiquette.
The Baillieu Library at Melbourne University’s Parkville campus is probably one of the oldest and most popular haunts for students during the exam period. Although it’s just recently renovated with a whole new facility, this semester they are not offering late study period. The library will be open from 8.30am till 10pm Mondays to Thursdays, 6pm on Fridays, and from 11am to 5pm on weekends.
A lesser-known library would be the Brownless Biomedical Library, which is on the west side of the Parkville campus close to Grattan St and Royal Parade. The study hall is open daily from 7am to 2am during the exam period. The downside is you’ve got to be a Melbourne University student to access the facility.
From November 1 to 30, students will also have the option of heading down to Melbourne University’s Law Library on Pelham St. Doors to the modern and roomy library will open from 8.30am to midnight from Mondays to Thursdays, till 9pm on Fridays, and 10am to 6pm on the weekends. You don’t need to be a student from Melbourne University to use this library.
For a nook closer to the heart of the city, try the RMIT University Library located on level five at Building 8, 360 Swanston St. The opening hours aren’t as long – but it’s not bad. Hours are from 8am till midnight from Mondays to Thursdays, and doors close at 8pm on Fridays and the weekends.
The State Libraryof Victoria on Swanston St has plenty of study areas and excellent internet facilities, but is open only from10am to 9pm from Mondays to Thursdays, and till 6pm on Fridays and the weekends.
For a nook closer to the heart of the city, try the RMIT University Library on Swanston St. Photo: Aun Ngo
Cafes and eateries
Follow the escalators up to level three at Melbourne Central and arrive at the Pancake Parlour, which is open from 7am to 1am from Sundays to Thursdays and till 3am on Friday and the weekends. There’s free wireless internet access, and a hard-to-resist menu from snacks and mains to dessert and drinks. The only caveat: indiscriminate binge eating may hurt your wallet and your waistline.
An affordable alternative would be McDonald’s at Victoria Market, 501-503 Elizabeth St. It’s worth considering if you were thinking of pulling an all-nighter. It’s open 24 hours seven days a week, and there’s free WiFi. Just remember that fast food is a sometimes food.
For those after a caffeine hit, try Starbucks. There are two branches in the city – City Square on 207 Collins St and 295 Swanston St. You won’t find internet access at either branch, which could be a good thing if you find yourself constantly drawn to check up on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, instead of the textbook.
The Collins St branch opens early from 6.30am to 9.30pm Mondays to Thursdays, 6.30am to midnight on Fridays, 7.30am to midnight on Saturdays and 7.30am to 10pm on Sundays.
The Starbucks on Swanston St is open from 7am to 11pm from Mondays to Thursdays, 7am to 11.30pm on Fridays, 8am to 11.30pm on Saturdays and 8am to 11pm on Sundays.
Photo: Aun Ngo
If chocolate is more your thing, there’s Max Brenner on Menzies Alley at Melbourne Central and at QV Square.
The one at Melbourne Central is open from 8am to 10pm from Mondays to Thursdays, 8am to midnight on Fridays, 10am to midnight on Saturdays, and 10am to 10pm on Sundays.
Max Brenner at QV is open 8am to 9pm on Mondays and Tuesdays, 8am to 10pm Wednesdays and Thursdays, 8am to 11pm on Fridays, 9am to 11pm on Saturdays, and 9am to 9pm on Sundays.
And finally, if you wished the Gloria Jeans in Borders at Melbourne Central were still open, you should head to the one at Level 2 Melbourne Central, exactly at the corner of Elizabeth and Swanston St. Final opening hours were not yet finalised, but it is assumed to be open as long as Melbourne Central is open.
Where do you go to study? Tell us in the comments sections below.