For many students, the most impressive building at Amherst is the Science Center, located between the Keefe Campus Center and the Powerhouse, an event space. Opened in the fall of 2018, the Science Center quickly became a favorite place for students to study and hang out. The building itself is gorgeous as the large glass structures and modern design are simple, sharp, and clean. Even better, the building has been designed with sustainability in mind, evident from the solar panels attached to the top level of the building. Outside the building, there’s a small patio area with chairs and tables, and there are often people who get their lunch from Grab-n-Go and eat it at the Science Center patio area so they can soak in the lovely noon sun.
Though the Science Center can be a little far from residential halls, students often make the trek to study at the center. On the first floor and the basement level floor, there are plenty of long tables and lounge couches that allow for collaborative and comfortable studying with friends. Also located on the first floor is the Moss Quantitative Center, a place where people can get assistance with their math-related work. Oftentimes, teaching assistants for math classes will hold TA hours in the Q-center. Students can also schedule appointments with staff at the Q-center. Outside of the resources that the Q-center offers, the space itself is a fantastic place to study as there are rows of pea pod-shaped desks with walls that provide privacy for those who prefer to work independently. Usually, I study in one of these pea pods if I have an upcoming test and need to rigorously prepare. There are also tables and whiteboards for people to work collaboratively as well as computer monitors for people to use.
The Frost Cafe is also located on the first floor, and though students have to pay to get the food, many students highly recommend getting a refreshing drink from the cafe to help with staying focused on studying. On the second floor, there’s a high-rise table facing the stunning view of the grassy lawn in front of the science center – this is also another place I love to study if the Q-center is a little too crowded. The North and South commons, the common areas located at opposite ends of the building, offer a serene and convenient space for small group studying or even studying on your own.
One of the more popular spots to study is the small nook hidden between offices and labs and the second and third floors. This small nook has a massive whiteboard and plenty of chairs that indicate that the space is friendly for those who want to study together. Its location also ensures peace from the sounds of people in the open areas of the first floor. There’s a small spiral staircase shaped like DNA that connects the two study nooks on the two floors. At the back corner of the second floor of the D-wing, where the Psychology department is located, there is a similar nook with a large whiteboard that’s also an alternative when these study spaces are taken. The Science Center is a fantastic place and continues to stand out as one of the most favored buildings on campus.