(Photo courtesy of the Lowell Sun) “UMass Lowell’s campus offers a variety of study and food locations for students.”

Maxwell Valin

Connector Editor

It’s the beginning of another semester, and with that comes much curiosity from freshmen and transfer students about what exactly this campus (and city) has to offer behind the immediate amenities. Lowell may not be the biggest city in the world, but the city and the university that calls it home undoubtedly have some gems. Three students spoke to The Connector about their favorite spots to go and study, as well as their recommendations for a quick bite, so that those who may feel overwhelmed by the options can know where to go.

Now, sure–every dorm room provides each student with their very own desk to complete their work, but a shared room where everyone isn’t always on the same page can sometimes leave a lot to be desired as an effective location to study. It’s not uncommon that during finals week, or just for a regular essay or exam, students may need a reliable spot to escape to and get the work done. So what are UMass Lowell’s best study spots?

When asked about his favorite place to study on campus, UMass Lowell student Nick Solt had no doubts about immediately replying, “The McGauvran Center, on south campus.” With a dining hall on the first level, a market one flight of stairs up, and plenty of desks and seating to get work done on floor three, it’s not hard to see why this would be a go-to. Aside from his dorm, student Tony Marimon gave a shout-out to “the space under Cumnock Hall” on north campus, adding that “there’s usually not a lot of people there,” making it an ideal place to get work done without much sound. Student Alexis Koufos answered that her preferred place of study was “in O’Leary Library, at the round tables.” Connected to the aforementioned McGauvran, O’Leary offers a bit of a different atmosphere than its more lively sister building, giving students options for places to complete their tasks depending on what they prefer.

While studying is important, it’s hard to concentrate on everything you need to get done on an empty stomach. Being a very walkable city, Lowell has lots of accessible options to pick up a bite in a pinch. In response to being asked about their favorite place to grab food around campus, Marimon and Koufos agreed in tandem that Suppa’s Pizza & Subs, located just off of UMass Lowell’s north campus was one of the best slices around. Solt initially answered that “Subway, on south campus, is definitely [his] go-to spot between classes,” he added that Suppa’s Pizza & Subs was also a favorite of his once being reminded of it by his peers. “[They] have my favorite pizza here near campus,” Solt concluded.

For those who are just getting familiar with UMass Lowell’s campus, the sheer amount of locations and restaurants that get named may seem daunting or intimidating for the uninitiated. The aforementioned locations, however, all undoubtedly serve as great places for newcomers to start.