Ashanti Jones '26
Features Editor
As of this week, there are only three weeks left until the start of final exam season at the Law School (the final countdown if you will), which also means we are on the eve of the undergraduate invasion.™ As a 1L, the undergraduate invasion™—the seasonal flocking of undergraduates from main grounds to the Law Library to talk at ungodly volumes and watch TikTok videos at the monitors study—was by far in the top ten of the most infuriating events of the fall semester. This semester, I have decided to take matters into my own hands and bravely venture outside of the Law Library to study for the sake of my sanity and my Con Law grade. In case anyone else was a dedicated Law Library study-er last semester and wants to reclaim their study time this time around, I present a list of other study spots on North Grounds to utilize this semester.
Slaughter Hall Rooms 290 and 292 – Moot Courtrooms
The moot courtrooms are a personal favorite. Nine times out of ten, they are completely empty except for the rare class or mock trial practice, making them pretty reliable makeshift private study rooms for those in a pinch.
Purcell Garden
Purcell Garden, the little outside area right across from the Admissions Office, makes for a great study spot because it’s relatively quiet since it’s rarely utilized by students and provides a steady supply of snacks to refuel since it’s a short distance away from the Student Affairs office.
Pictured: Purcell Garden
Photo Credit: UVA Law
Darden Library
Similar to the moot courtrooms at the Law School, the Darden’s library is completely empty probably 90% of the time[1] and has a lot of monitors – don’t think I have to say much more to sell this one.
Pictured: Darden Library
Photo Credit: UVA Darden School
Holcombe Green Lawn
For the more outdoorsy study-er who wants to avoid the foot traffic of Spies Garden but doesn’t want to sacrifice the greenery of Spies for the quietness of Purcell Garden, I present Holcombe Green Lawn, a.k.a the big yard in front of the law school. Holcombe is not the most “ready to study” space, in that you have to put in a little effort to make it work by bringing a picnic blanket or something to sit on if you don’t want to be on the bare grass, but it’s still a pretty decent option. The biggest problem with studying on Holcombe would be the noise from the traffic on Massie Road, but this can also be solved by popping in some earbuds.
Pictured: Holcombe Green Lawn
Photo Credit: UVA Law
alj3emz@virginia.edu
[1] No shade, just facts.