Simona Montalto (286) &
Laisha Khatun (286)
Staff Writers

As the new school year begins and the assignments start to pile up, Central students fall back into the annual, dragging routine: cracking open their textbooks as soon as they reach home. However, did you know the mid-quarter dread can be combated? Ever considered changing your study location from time to time? We took it upon ourselves to reach out to the Central community and inquire about the beloved study spots both in and out of the school building.

Paris Baguette (Rating: 3/5) 

Paris Baguette is a chain cafe with a few locations established around Philly. We visited the Center City location, easily accessible from Central by hopping on the BSL Express and a few minutes walk. As soon as we opened the door, it was evident the atmosphere was tranquil. The interior has two rows of tables, the walls lined with cabinets stacked with baked goods along the wall. Slightly dim, warm lighting, and quiet pop music set a relaxing tone for customers. It seemed to be relatively easy to find a seat after school. Two drinks and two pastries brought us to a total of 18 dollars. The pastries were small, but delectable, filling enough to satiate our hunger.

Cafe Walnut (Rating: 4.5/5)

Cafe Walnut is located in Center City and is easy to reach from the BSL Spur 8th and Market stop. Most menu items are affordable: we bought two bagels with cream cheese for just over 5 dollars. The counter is on the lower level and seating is upstairs. After ordering, you walk to the second level where you are greeted with warm lighting and a variety of wooden furniture. The quiet music playing in the background and colorful paintings bring the space together to create a cozy environment. The large window offers a view into Washington Square. Our food was conveniently brought up to our table. The Wi-Fi works smoothly, and there’s a readily accessible bathroom for customers to use. The only negative is that it closes at five, so a Central student may not have enough time to finish all of the entirety of their workload.

Central’s Tables (Rating: 2/5)

The picnic tables scattered around Central’s outdoor areas offer a nice breeze and a breath of fresh air for studying. Typically, it is quiet unless there are other students mingling outside. On a good day, the sun supplies plenty of natural light to work under. Unfortunately, it is next to the parking lot so there are cars often whirring by and one view is obstructed by a dumpster. This would not be an ideal spot if the weather was bad, as any rain or wind would disrupt your peace.. It’s difficult to connect to the school Wi-Fi at the tables, so we do not recommend this study spot if you are relying solely on your Chromebook for homework. You also have to take temperature into account— this study spot is seasonal at best.

Central’s Music Hallway (Rating: 3/5)

If you value a change in your surroundings, the music hallway may be the place for you. The middle hallway on the 3rd floor is home to the music classrooms and also the favorite Central wing for many students. There are tables you can use if you’re lucky, but they are often taken during busy periods of the day. There is always also the opportunity (or risk, if you’re not a fan of noise) to hear music rehearsals or practices. If all of that is fine by you, this might be the perfect spot!

Barnwell Library (Rating: 5/5)

The school library is cozy and inviting, ideal for studying or reading. With lots of comfortable seating from cushioned chairs to spacious desks, there’s many places to settle in. The dim lighting adds to the relaxed vibe, and open windows allow for fresh air, making it easy to focus or unwind within a good book. Whether you’re working on a school assignment or on the quest for research materials, the library’s peaceful atmosphere and laid-back ambiance makes it the ideal place for efficiency.