^{Leeuwarden holds plenty of options of places to study for its big student population. From university buildings, to gardens outside, to stylish cafés, both for winter and for summer - you can pick whatever setting fits you best. In this blog article, I will show you some of the favourites among the student community of Leeuwarden.}

De Beurs, for a central study session

De Beurs is your home, where you will spend many hours working on group projects, having your lunch, or spending the breaks from classes. You will be able to find many possible spots to study, but among my favourites there are the tables in the cafeteria area (where the higher up you go, the more serious the studying is) and, of course, the garden outside, which allows you to study outdoors, enjoying the sun or some fresh air, while still remaining connected to university's Wi-Fi. The downside is that, being your home, you will find familiar faces everywhere, which can make it challenging to focus for many hours straight.

Tresoar, my personal favourite

If I had to choose one place to study in Leeuwarden, it would be Tresoar. There is a lot of natural light, reliable Wi-Fi, and it is generally very quiet. The best part, though, is what you find right outside its door: Tresoar is in the Prinsentuin, so when your brain has had enough, you can close your laptop, walk outside and immediately be surrounded by trees and water. It is especially good when you have a long reading day ahead of you and need somewhere calm, but do not want to spend the entire day indoors. The main downside is that it can get busier at certain times (which might mean louder) and the opening hours are not always the same throughout the week.

Prinsentuin, when you need to go outside

Sometimes you simply need to stop studying indoors and look for a nice patch of grass to sit and work. Luckily, Leeuwarden can offer you that withou making you travel to the city's outskirts: in its heart, you find the Prinsentuin, a beautiful (and big) green recreational green area. Find a bench, bring a towel and sit on the grass, or find a spot beside the canal. There are several good places around the park, including the area close to Tresoar and the canal, where you might even see people swimming when the weather is good. Obviously, this is very dependent on the famously unpredictable Dutch weather. Wind, rain and a laptop do not make a particularly successful combination, but on a sunny afternoon, Prinsentuin can be one of the nicest places in the city to study.

Blokhuispoort, for a dark academia studying afternoon

Studying in a former prison is probably not something you imagined when you moved to Leeuwarden, but Blokhuispoort is one of the coolest places in the city to work for a few hours. The old prison building gives it a completely different atmosphere from a normal library, and there are plenty of spaces where you can settle down with your laptop or a book. Plus, it is just five minutes away from Campus Fryslan, being perfect for a quick escape. There are also lots of interesting books and cultural spaces around the complex, and you can choose between areas that are relatively quiet and others where there is more going on. That flexibility is useful, although it also means that you may need to walk around a little before finding the right spot for the kind of studying you are trying to do that day.

FER, for the best vibes

FER is probably the place to go when you want to work drinking a nice coffee and in a stylish place. The environment is lovely, the staff are really nice, and there is a relaxed atmosphere that makes doing readings or answering emails feel slightly more enjoyable. There is one obvious problem: it can get loud. If you need complete silence to write an essay, this probably is not your place. If you are doing lighter work, reading, planning or simply need a change of scenery, though, FER is a great choice.

NHL Stenden, for social and academic feeling

De Beurs is great to study, but finding familiar faces everywhere can make it not great for deep focus sessions. If you are still looking for an academic vibe, but don't want to see your friends all the time, NHL Stenden is what you're looking for. Inside the R10 building there are several places where you can work, although some can be quite lively. There are also benches outside, including around the mill, which are a good option when you want to take your laptop outdoors without going too far from the city (and still using the Wi-Fi!). One thing to keep in mind is that some facilities are primarily intended for NHL Stenden students, so it is worth checking access before planning an entire study day there.

WaterCampus, for students living around Kanaalstraat

If you live around Kanaalstraat, WaterCampus is just a 10 minutes walk away and can give you the most peaceful atmosphere to study. You do not always need to cycle all the way into the centre when you want a change of scenery. The area around WaterCampus gives you a quieter environment and is particularly convenient if you live nearby. Check out the benches near the canals, or sit in the grass and have a grounded study session.

The Cat Café (PoesPas), for a cuter study session

If you love cats, please check out the Cat Café! They have seven lovely cats you can pet while drinking a cup of coffee, tea or even having some food. The cats can also give you the emotional support you need to make it through exam seasons. It is a really cozy space that can easily feel like your own living room. Gather a couple of friends and enjoy a cute afternoon with some extra furry friends!

Rengerspark, especially towards sunset

Rengerspark is a nice middle ground between studying in the city and escaping into nature. Bring your laptop, a towel or blanket, and find a bench or a patch of grass. It is particularly good towards the end of the day, when you can finish your work and stay for sunset. The main disadvantage is, once again, the Dutch weather. On a warm evening, it is great. On a windy and rainy afternoon, you may find yourself wishing you had stayed indoors.

De Groene Ster, to take a swimming break from studying

Everybody talks about how cold the Netherlands gets in the winter. But nobody talks about how hot it can get in the spring and summer! Sometimes it can be difficult to study, both indoors and outdoors, due to the heat. And in those moments, Groene Ster will be waiting for you. It is a 20 minutes bike ride away from the city centre (there are also buses), so make it a full-day plan: go in the morning, bring some food, a hammock or a blanket, and enjoy your study session in the middle of the nature while taking some swimming breaks in between (yes, you can swim there!). This is probably not the best place if you have a tight deadline, but it is definitely a good place for having a relaxed and different study day. There is a small kiosk where you can get some food or drinks, use the bathroom or maybe even charge your devices. Be mindful of the closing times though!

Leeuwarder Bos, for a proper escape

This one requires a little more planning. Get on your bike, bring your lunch, pack a picnic towel and go. The Leeuwarder Bos is further from the centre, but that is exactly why it works when you have had enough of buildings, classrooms and the same four walls. It is particularly good for reading, journaling or working through something that does not require a power outlet and a stack of library books. You get a full immersion in nature, with plenty of space to walk around when you need a break. The trade-off is obvious: it is further away, weather matters, and you should not expect Wi-Fi and charging points to be part of the experience.

Pick your poison

Some days you will need the quiet and natural light of Tresoar, some days you need the background noise of a café, and sometimes the best thing you can do is put your laptop in your backpack, get on your bike and find a patch of grass somewhere.

The best study spot is usually the one that matches the kind of work you need to do. For a serious essay, I would choose Tresoar. For reading outside, Prinsentuin. For a change of atmosphere, Groene Ster. For coffee and a bit of noise, FER. And when university has started to feel like too much university, head towards the Leeuwarder Bos and give your brain some space. And what makes Leeuwarden perfect is precisely this ability to choose: you can feel free to pick and choose whatever you need in that moment, and always with the calming notion that everything is less than a 15 minutes bike ride away!