As a medical student, it's essential to have a couple of different prime spots for studying, whether it's just for a few hours or for a whole day. One of the great things about the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA is that, with so many coffee shops and restaurants within walking distance, students have a wealth of places to study nearby. And, if you feel like leaving campus for a change of scenery, there are also some fantastic places to study the Westwood area.
Most of us try studying in different places, finding our cozy study spots over time. If you find yourself getting distracted while studying at home or if you're looking for somewhere to study other than the Biomedical Library in the UCLA Center for Health Sciences or the Learning Resource Center, then try out some of my personal go-to spots:
When you want a homey place
In July, the new Gold Humanism Honor Society inductees began holding monthly chapter meetings to plan the upcoming year's projects and activities.
Shirley Jiang is a medical student at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.
The Corner Bakery Cafe is my favorite place to go to when I want to order some hot soup and study for a few hours. There is a lot of seating and the unlimited refillable coffee is a welcome perk. The warm ambiance can also make studying a little more relaxing, which is always a plus.
When you're waiting for a meeting after class
When classes are over but I'm still waiting for a lab or student group meeting later in the day, sometimes I'll head over to Café Synapse. Not only is this a good spot for studying following afternoon labs, but it's also a great place to meet with potential mentors over lunch. There's also an outdoor patio area for those warm Los Angeles days.
When you want your coffee with cakes and pastries
Occasionally, when I want to indulge, I'll go to Elysee Bakery & Cafe for a snack before gearing up for a study session. The variety of tempting desserts can make studying more enjoyable.
Elysee is a pricier restaurant, but it's one of the few in Westwood that generally stays open until midnight. This is a popular place for brunch on the weekends and can be noisy, but on weekdays there's usually lots of spacious seating and a quieter atmosphere.
When you crave sushi while studying
ISO Fusion Cafe is a popular study spot for medical students. Students from UCLA come here to study and grab a well-priced and delicious Asian fusion dinner. There's always plenty of seating upstairs, numerous outlets and Wi-Fi that's better than at many coffee shops.
When you're looking for a hip place
When it's Saturday and I have a whole day to get some work done, I like to leave Westwood and experience a new environment. Coffee Connection is one of my absolute favorite places to study in Los Angeles. The coffee is fantastic and sometimes local bands come and play music as well.
By Shirley (Yun Qi) Jiang
