It’s safe to say that most students don’t choose to spend their free time in Bobst Library, unless they’re due for hardcore, locked-in studying. Everyone knows how it usually goes: You walk in determined to be productive for the first time in a while, but end up circling each of the packed floors like a wandering tourist. If you’re lucky, you get some cramped hallway seat that feels like sitting on the steps of Grand Central Terminal at rush hour. To save from unnecessary time spent scavenging for a seat this midterm season, here’s a ranking of every floor in Bobst — ranked from absolute chaos to prime studying environment.
8. Floors 2 and 3
Unless you’re willing to sit on the bare ground, these two floors have nothing to offer. The second floor consists only of NYU Special Collections, a staff-only section and classroom spaces. The third is closed for renovations. Lacking both seats and people, these floors aren’t even worth a visit.
7. Floor 1
The first floor of Bobst feels like Times Square for NYU students. It’s packed with people going in and out of the library, and it’s as noisy as it could possibly be. People nap, eat, take phone calls and just sit for a quick break in between classes. No one actually gets any work done here. The ones who open their laptops and look like they are studying are lying to themselves — they are procrastinating and too scared to commit to a real floor. Save yourself the wasted time and go literally anywhere else.
6. Lower Levels 1 and 2
The lower-level floors are for the people who have sold their souls to Bobst, the ones who have chosen to live underground. They somehow manage to survive without a glimpse of sunlight or a gentle breeze of fresh air. They probably don’t know what day it is, and some might even get their Amazon packages delivered there. Sure, you have access to unlimited printing and snacks from vending machines, but are you ready to give up everything else? Don’t be fooled, these people aren’t just taking studying seriously — they are disintegrating on the inside.
5. Floor 4
This floor really loves to disguise itself as a study space, but it’s an illusion. Having spent a good amount of time on the fourth floor, it’s safe to say that this is where you go when all of the productive study spots are full. You can try to get some work done if you sit in one of the side sections, but even that’s not silent enough for true studying. This is where people go to socialize first, study later.
4. Floor 7
The Avery Fisher Center for Music and Media is located on this floor, so there isn’t much room for studying. This is where you would go if you need to watch a movie for class — or just want to be surrounded by film majors — but that’s about all you can do here.
3. Floors 5 and 6
Students here are actually making a solid attempt at doing their work, but they aren’t quite dedicated enough. You’ll hear the occasional crinkling of a chip bag or the loud pop of a Celsius can. Someone will let out a dramatic sigh as they put aside their laptop and surrender to toxic doomscrolling on TikTok. But compared to some of the other options, there’s some possibility for productivity here.
2. Floors 10-12
Floors 10-12 are mostly staff areas, and Floors 11 and 12 even have their own private elevator for elite access. But don’t set them fully aside because the 10th floor has a special gem: the North Reading Room. This is where you can have a quiet, spacious desk all to yourself. If you manage to find a spot, it’s definitely worth it.
1. Floors 8 and 9
These two floors are so deathly silent that it’s actually scary. I’m afraid to pass through their hallways and accidentally breathe too loudly. If my shoes are a little too squeaky, I get stares from all directions and it feels like a walk of shame. The eighth floor has a few soundproof study pods, and the ninth has individual sensory rooms — both perfect choices for optimal studying. Everyone here is flourishing in productivity, but the vibes aren’t as spine-chilling as the lower levels. This is where you can secure an area with a cold coffee and finish your whole midterm paper in one sitting. If you truly want to lock in, there are no better floors than these two.
Contact Christobelle Rudes at [email protected].