When midterms officially bring an end to frosh fun and games and it’s time to crack open the books, you may find your school library as crowded as a Coldplay concert. If you can’t find a spot, or if that essential book for your term paper is already checked out, the massive Toronto Reference Library (789 Yonge, 416-395-5577) will usually come to the rescue.
Those who prefer a more relaxed café vibe for their studying have lots of options with free WiFi. Urbana Coffee (1033 Bay, 416-960-1033) offers plenty of natural light and a lengthy list of frappés to fuel a tired brain. With a European-grocery-store feel, the most heavenly cookies on the planet and a large variety of sandwiches, salads and drinks, Le Gourmand (152 Spadina Ave., 416-504-4494) will keep you energized as you cram. If you’re the artsy type, try The Roastery Coffee House (401 Richmond W., 416-597-8822), where the exposed-brick walls often display art exhibits.
With the clanking and steaming sounds of dedicated baristas and no internet access, Manic Coffee (426 College, 416-966-3888) is better suited to a short date with a textbook and a classic espresso. Also internetless, Niche Coffee and Tea Company (626 Queen W., 416-203-0458) offers grilled banana bread with Nutella to jump-start a study sesh and a large selection of loose-leaf tea to dissolve the sugar.
If you think it criminal to study indoors before the snow falls, try Philosopher’s Walk (St. George Campus, between Hoskins and Bloor W.) and let the greenery and collegiate architecture inspire your inner academic. And if you like to pair studying and people-watching, take a seat on the giant village rock in Yorkville and let the possibility of a celeb sighting liven up the facts and figures burning your eyes.