Monday, February 09, 2009

Study nook

The exhibit that was watching over me as I studied today

I'm taking a CU class this semester as a "Senior Auditor." It's a pretty sweet deal; dues-paying alumni over age 55 can take classes for $10. The class I chose for this semester's learnin' is The History of Words. It's quite the plunge into Latin, Greek, and linguistics. I've no background in any of these topics, so a lot of study time is involved. I have found I'm a much better studier if I get myself out of the house to do the readings so I've spent the semester exploring the campus, the public library, coffee shops, etc. for suitable study nooks.

I much prefer study spaces with a view or some sort of interesting diversion - even if I'm not allowing myself to be completely diverted. The Boulder Public Library offers a nice setting if you can find an empty chair near a window overlooking the Boulder Creek. The second floor of the student union on campus provides pretty good people watching - but people outnumber chairs there so there is often no seat to be had.

It is very windy in Boulder today so I went looking for a study nook on campus fairly near my classroom building. Today was my lucky day! I had read that the CU museum had set up a lounge in one of their exhibit areas so I checked it out. Lots of comfy seating, interesting exhibits throughout - and free coffee and tea! Two hours later with my homework done, coffee craving satiated, and mind refreshed, I was off to class. The BioLounge, as they call it, will definitely be seeing a lot of me this semester!