Ask a Macquarie student about their go-to study spot, and chances are you’ll get one of two answers: Central Courtyard, because of its food court and variety of study spaces, or the University Library with its dedicated quiet zones, printer facilities and bookable group presentation practice spaces.
But savvy scholars have other ideas tucked into their backpacks - MQ Life reporter and third-year Journalism student Harry Jackson convinced some classmates to reveal five little-known spots across campus that are perfect for a quiet catch-up with friends and even some study.
The Arts Precinct Rooftop Garden
This one is almost too good to give away. The new Faculty of Arts Precinct is bursting with tech-laden, archictect-designed zones.
The Ground Floor offers a selection of indoor and outdoor spaces, all of which allow you to charge your laptop. Moving up the floors, you’ll continue to find plenty of nooks for individual or group study (However, make sure to steer clear of “Staff Only” areas).
Garden vibes: take the 25B lift up to level 4 and go past the staff kitchen for sunshine, greenery and quiet in this sky-high retreat. Image: Jesse Taylor.
The best spot, with genuine wow-factor, is the covered rooftop garden on top of Building C. It’s the perfect combination of indoors and outdoors, with plenty of benches, charging stations and even a foosball table. Just please don’t leave any rubbish!
“I don’t usually like studying outside, but the rooftop garden is under cover – I get fresh air and sunlight, but I’m protected from the wind and rain. I like going there in the morning because it’s usually empty and you can hear the birds!"
Ruby, Bachelor of Psychology student
Where is it? Level 4, 25C Wally’s Walk – P12 on the campus map.
Level 1 Balcony, 12 Wally’s Walk
12 Wally’s Walk (named after campus architect Dr Walter V. Abraham) and 14 Sir Christopher Ondaatje Avenue (named after Macquarie's 2011 writer in residence) may be two different addresses but in reality they are two halves of the same building, separated by a hallway. The building is popular with Science and Engineering students.
Above it all: Take the lift or stairs to this balcony on 12 Wally's Walk for a bright, airy space that sits above the noise and foot traffic. Image: Jesse Taylor.
If you can’t get a good seat in the glassy atrium or enormous main hall, try one floor up. The atrium’s Level 1 balcony seems to have slipped under the radar for most students. It’s not huge but is usually almost empty on all but the busiest of days. It has everything you need for an afternoon study session - great lighting, power points and usually quiet.
“I like to study up here because it’s normally much quieter than down below. The seats are really comfortable, and it’s out of the way of the major thoroughfares. It’s generally quietest towards the end of the week – Thursdays and Fridays. Mornings are better than afternoons.”
Tom, Bachelor of Science student
Where is it? Level 1, 12 Wally’s Walk – N20 on the campus map.
Frank Mercer Biological Sciences Garden
This one is for all you outdoorsy types. One of the best things about Macquarie campus is its wonderful green spaces. From the rolling hills around the Macquarie Lake to the tree-lined boulevard of Wally’s Walk, the campus was designed to make your time outside of the classroom just as enjoyable.
A taste of cottagecore: listen to the birds or browse the plaques in this little pocket of green, right in the heart of campus. Image: Jesse Taylor.
Plenty of these green spaces have seating, but the best place for this is the Frank Mercer Biological Sciences Garden, (pictured above).
Named after the founder of our University’s first Department of Biological Sciences (now known as the School of Natural Sciences), this beautifully signposted garden begins in the Biology courtyard, where plant beds burst with exotic flowers and ferns. It then extends into a densely wooded arboretum, kept cool and shady by the enormous native and exotic trees including conifers, pines and maidenhair. As well as the odd brush turkey, students will find a variety of open and covered study spots – there’s even some group-study benches with room for laptop charging out the back of 4 Wally’s Walk.
“I tend to come here because I like being able to study outside in the fresh air, where it’s quiet and peaceful. Mid-morning ad mid-arvo are the best times because it’s a nice temperature, not too hot and not too cold.”
Violet, Bachelor of Environment student
Where is it? Behind 14 Eastern Road – M23 on the campus map.
English Language Centre
Students who have completed one of Macquarie’s many English Language programs will be familiar with the Centre’s many great study spaces. Nestled in the middle of the complex is a spacious courtyard with heaps of seating. The easiest way in is through the car park off Eastern Road (the road everyone takes to and from the station).
Chill: the English Language Centre has some of the most playfully decorated spaces on campus. Image: JesseTaylor.
For something more indoorsy, enter from Sir Christopher Ondaatje Avenue and take a right – here you’ll find a real gem of a study spot. This playfully decorated space has a wealth of particularly plush seating, and gets plenty of sunlight from the large windows overlooking the courtyard. Perfect for curling up with your laptop and getting those lectures done!
“I have a tutorial nearby, and I like to hang out here beforehand. It’s quiet and comfy, which is really all I need. It’s never busy when I’m here in the mornings.”
Yanica, Bachelor of Commerce student
Where is it? 8 Sir Christopher Ondaatje Avenue – Q20 on the campus map.
18 Wally’s Walk
18 Wally’s Walk may have slipped under the radar during lockdown and the fact that builders have been a constant presence since coming back to campus – but this building located in the heart of the University remains a popular, yet oddly under-used space for study.
While the building works to fully modernise the building will continue for a while yet, the ground floor remains available to students. Here you’ll find study spaces similar to 1 Central Courtyard – think desks, comfy chairs, wall nooks and private group spaces. Unlike the spaces in 1CC, these spots are almost always free.
In the know: turn right at Student Connect for a gold mine of funky and quiet study spots. Image: Jesse Taylor.
“I do like 1CC but it can be loud at lunchtime having the food court connected to it, and it takes a while to find seats. Here I can always find seating. It’s also a bit more social than the library, I feel more comfortable having a conversation."
Max, Bachelor of Business Administration and Arts student
"Most people I speak to think this is just an admin building, they have no idea there’s study space … the seating here is very flexible, it doesn’t feel as ‘forced’ as some other spaces. The only time it’s really busy is about 1-3 on Tuesdays.”
Emma, Bachelor of Business Analytics student
Where is it? Ground floor, 18 Wally’s Walk – N16 on the campus map.
