UNIVERSITY EXPERIENCES
Favourite Things about Campus
Let’s face it: going to university can be terrifying. But it’s also a time of celebration and excitement! We’re here to take away some of the terrifying parts and help you feel more prepared for your university adventures.
So we’ve asked students at many Ontario universities — Western, University of Windsor, UofT (St. George and Mississauga campuses) and McMaster — to share their favourite things about and on their campuses. Don’t fret if you’re going to a university not listed here; using the power of the internet, we’ve collected some information on Queen’s and uOttawa too.
Favourite Study Spots & Libraries
University of Western Ontario
According to a student at Western, their favourite spot to study is the cubicles at Taylor Library. The cubicles offer a nice and quiet environment to get work that requires deep focus done. Taylor also has a collaborative learning area with whiteboards — perfect for group work! There are good food options for a mid-work snack as well.
Another great library to study at, according to this video with Western students, is Weldon Library. It has lots of big, open spaces and great lighting. It has multiple floors with varying amounts of noise allowed (the top floors are for quiet work only while the lower ones are conversation friendly). There are also food options nearby.
University of Windsor
A Windsor student said their favourite study spot is the Leddy Library Basement. There are also fun events happening at the library like an open mic for anyone looking to practice their public speaking skills.
Leddy Library has lots of options for study spaces. There are personal study rooms, group study rooms, collaboration spaces, and wellness rooms for de-stressing.
University of Toronto (St. George)
A UofT student mentioned that their two favourite libraries are E.J. Pratt and Gerstein. The E.J. Pratt Library — part of Victoria College — includes spaces for individuals to study as well as group study rooms. Gerstein has good group study rooms and is also quite big, meaning you can usually find quiet spots, according to one student.
Another very popular library, and one of the biggest libraries in North America, is Robarts Library. The building itself looks like a peacock and is home to many books as well as many studying spaces, some of which can be booked in advance.
University of Toronto (Mississauga)
The UofT Mississauga Library has lots of spaces for every type of activity, including both individual and group work. The building itself is also beautiful, making it a fun place to study.
Now, here’s a tip from a current student: don’t go to the first floor! Upper levels are usually quieter and have more available space.
McMaster University
One student said that their favourite spot to study is the Health Sciences Library. The library includes group study rooms, individual study spaces, workshops and more. The group study rooms are a great place for work with your friends or group projects and include blackboards.
Some study rooms even include interactive boards that allow for video conferencing! Some of these rooms can accommodate up to 18 students.
Queen’s University
Some students have found the Biosciences Complex to be a great spot for studying. The complex includes auditoriums as well as tables (which is where you’d be studying!).
If you’re looking for a nice outdoor studying space, you should give the patio at Stauffer Library a try. The library itself is a great spot with bookable computers and reading tables.
University of Ottawa
uOttawa students say that Learning Crossroads (CRX) is a great spot for studying, though it can get quite busy. There are over 1000 study spaces including individual spaces, reading rooms, and group study rooms. Plus, there are lots of different technologies to help you with your learning.
Another good spot is the Faculty of Social Sciences (FSS) building. Its upper floors are quiet and allow you to get lots of individual work done.
Favourite Nearby Cafes & Restaurants
University of Western Ontario
One Western student said that their favourite nearby cafe is The Spoke. It’s only a few-minute walk from the heart of campus and has a great atmosphere as well as a patio! They also host events at times like live music events. You can get anything here, from a bagel to a macchiato to poutine.
This student’s favourite off-campus restaurant is Ozen, a fantastic sushi restaurant that’s only a 10-minute bus ride away from campus. They also deliver and offer takeout and have lots on their menu including a variety of sushi and sashimi sets, ramen, poke bowls, and more.
University of Windsor
A student said that their favourite cafe is Yemeni Corner Coffee House, a 15-minute drive away from campus. They have lots of delicious drinks and snacks like pistachio lattes, honeycomb bites, and Yemeni tea.
As for their favourite off-campus restaurant, it’s Cafe March 21 which is only a 10-minute bus ride away from campus. They have lots of drink options, including all your classics plus some more out-of-the-box drinks like tangerine cappuccinos. And they have lunch options like ramen and rice bowls.
University of Toronto (St. George)
A UofT student gave us lots of options for their favourite nearby coffee shops like L’Espresso Bar Mercurio (3-minute walk from Woodsworth College), The Annex Hotel Cafe (15-minute walk from the heart of campus), and Pasaj (25-minute drive).
L’Espresso Bar Mercurio has a great atmosphere and offers lunch options. The Annex Hotel Cafe can help you get a good start to your day with tea and coffee options galore plus good snacks and sandwiches. Pasaj offers a great experience and has a bakery as well as brunch options.
This student’s favourite off-campus restaurant is Cafe Landwer, a 10-minute walk from campus. For commuters, Cafe Landwer has other locations around the city as well. They offer brunch, dinner, and a mid-day snack too with menu items like acai bowls, great salads, hummus bowls, burgers, and more.
This student also recommends checking out local bubble tea shops and food trucks!
University of Toronto (Mississauga)
A UofT Mississauga student said that their favourite nearby coffee shop would be Tim’s or Starbucks. As you likely know, they have nearly endless options for drinks and snacks and there are lots of ways to customize your orders!
McMaster University
A student’s favourite nearby cafe would be Paisley Coffeehouse & Eatery or Starbucks. Paisley is a quick 10-minute walk away from campus with “friendly vibes” and great menu options like bagels, keto plates, BLTs, and of course, coffee.
This student’s favourite off-campus restaurant is Bread Bar which is a 15-minute bus ride away from campus. This restaurant offers both lunch and dinner with items like calamari, arugula and fennel salad, falafel burgers, and more being on the menu.
Queen’s University
For favourite nearby coffee shops, students recommend the Tea Room, Common Ground (CoGro), and Crave. All of these are on campus with the exception of Crave which is a 15-minute walk from campus. They all offer great options ranging from apple pie chais to chicken Caesar wraps to frappuccinos.
As for restaurants, students suggest Miss Bāo (15-minute walk from campus), Wooden Heads (20-minute walk), and Harper’s (20-minute walk). Miss Bāo offers lots of amazing options like Burmese tea leaf salad, deep-fried wontons, and Singapore chilli prawns. Wooden Heads have some of the best pizza in town, and Harper’s has fantastic burgers (author’s note: and great poutine!).
And you can finish with some dessert from the legendary Mio Gelato!
University of Ottawa
Many students seem to enjoy Happy Goat, though their prices can be high. It’s a 10-minute walk from campus and they have items like cookies and every kind of coffee you can dream of.
As for nearby restaurants, students seem to enjoy No Forks Given which is a short 5-minute walk from campus. They have great burgers (including vegan options) and quite a few different poutine options too.
That brings us to the end of this post. We hope you give these places a try and that they help you be just a little more prepared for next year (if you’re starting university) or that they help you discover somewhere new.
About the Author
Parmin Sedigh is a 17-year-old stem cell and science communications enthusiast as well as a student researcher. She’s also an incoming first-year student at the University of Toronto, studying life sciences. You can usually find her on her computer following her curiosity. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
