Many students starting at university underestimate the jump in complexity of studying from school. Courses at Trinity College, no matter the subject, are designed to stimulate outside-the-box thinking and demand that students spend time outside of lectures and seminars to revise.

But, we’re in luck. Whether you prefer studying in silence or with a buzz around, sipping a coffee or not, Trinity’s huge footprint and central location means there are study spaces to cater to all kinds of learners. Here’s a few places, some on campus, some off campus, I found were great for studying.

Main Library Complex

Located next to the Arts Building and the Trinity Old Library (where the Book of Kells is), the main library complex is the largest study space on the main campus. There are plenty of workspaces; you have access to tens of thousands of books, manuscripts, and other research material; and it’s right in the heart of campus for your convenience.

There are loads of different desk options, from wide tables to small desks surrounded by partitions. You can also book private rooms with whiteboards, should you want to study in a group or work on a joint presentation. The three libraries are also surrounded by windows so you can study by natural light, and the Wi-Fi is super quick and reliable.

These libraries are generally open between 9am-10pm on weekdays, 9:30am and 4pm on Saturdays, and are always closed on Sunday. For more information, visit the library website.

Third Space, Smithfield, Dublin 7

Many international students stay in Trinity accommodation off campus, with one popular option the Binary Hub. Just across the Liffey River is the vibey suburb of Smithfield, home to café Third Space.

This is a favourite for students to study on the weekends, when the main Trinity libraries operate on reduced hours or are closed, or if the weather is bad. It can get crowded, but if you don’t mind a little noise it’s a great place to work with a coffee.

Third Space is open between 7am-5:30pm Mondays to Fridays, from 8am until 5:30pm on Saturday, and is closed every Sunday.

Insomnia, Gardiner Street Middle, Dublin 1

Alternatively, if you are an international student living at Trinity’s Kavanagh Court, just a few minutes’ walk up the road is a branch of Insomnia, a popular chain of coffee shops in Ireland. This is a very handy local option for students who want to get out of their room to study when off campus. The coffee is decent, the food options are affordable, and there is plenty of seating available.

Insomnia is open from 7:30am-5:00pm, Monday-Friday, and between 9am-5pm on the weekend.

The Global Room

Although the Global Room is set up as a hub for international students and anyone can use the space if they want to get some work done. Located at the eastern end of campus, near the Trinity Business School, the Global Room has a few sets of tables and chairs, as well as sofas for more comfortable studying. It is also connected to the TCD Wi-Fi, making it particularly handy if you have classes at that end of campus.

Although the room is usually not busy, it is often used for a variety of events and student activities, which means it isn’t the quietest or most private option on this list.

Trinity’s Global Room is open between 9:30am and 9pm Monday-Friday and closed on weekends.

Costa Coffee, 1 Dawson Street, Dublin 2

The Dawson Street branch of Costa Coffee is so close to campus that it may as well be a part of it! Directly across the road out of the Nassau Street gate, it’s a happy medium between getting off campus for a while yet staying close to classes (particularly in the Arts Building). It has all the usual coffee and food options you’d expect from a chain café, and there is a lot of seating. The building is also historic, so you can admire the architecture while studying (or trying to!).

Costa on Dawson Street opens from 8am-7pm six days a week, and 9am to 6pm on Sundays.

Hamilton Library

Another ideal study place for those who spend more time at the eastern edge of the main campus. Hamilton Library, like the main complex, houses a range of books, manuscripts, historic documents, and other resources. There are a number of desk spaces, some large and some partitioned, and study rooms which can be booked. There are also printing, scanning, and photocopying facilities (as is the case in the main library complex), meaning you should have everything needed to study.

The Hamilton Library is accessible from 9am until 10pm on weekdays, between 9:30am-4pm on Saturdays, and are closed on Sundays. For more information, visit the library website.

Pearse Street Library, 139-144 Pearse Street, Dublin 2

Just a short stroll up Pearse Street from the Trinity campus is a branch of the public library. As well as housing a range of fiction and non-fiction books which can be withdrawn by members of the public, the Pearse Street Library also has several study desks and reading rooms you can work in. This is a particularly quiet place to study, and it’s often quiet during the day. Of course, it is open to the public, so you can expect community events and other activities to run there occasionally.

Pearse Street Library is free to enter, and open between 10am-8pm Monday to Thursday. On Fridays and Saturdays, the library is open between 10am and 5pm, and it is closed on Sundays.

Forming a study routine early is vital. To see how you can maximise your learning potential, and to discover what other habits successful students have, read more of the Trinity Experience blog.