Top 9 Places to Study in Kirksville

We’ve all made the trek to “Club Pickler” and fought other frantic students for a spot to study. While Kirksville may be small, Truman students aren’t confined to just the campus library. In fact, there is a spot near or on campus that can fit almost any study mood you’re in! Here are some of my top picks:

9. McDonalds – This may not be a local secret, but it is familiar to most students. McDonalds offers free wifi and a place to sit. You can also grab some french-fries to munch on while you finish your homework. Fries don’t cost too much (around $2), and the walk from campus is short.

8. The Quad – Make sure to charge up your devices and grab a blanket before you head over to this spot! On nice days (yes, Kirksville has them), some students head over to the quad to play Frisbee, but it’s a nice place to study, too. Since it is on campus, the quad still provides access to the Internet, so you can finish your online assignments and soak up some sun.

7. Thousand Hills State Park – Like the quad, Thousand Hills is another great spot for unplugging and enjoying nature. Even though the park does not offer wifi access, you can still go finish your reading assignments next to the lake. This is a beautiful change of scenery that might take some of the edge off studying!

6. Dukum Inn – Yes, I mean the bar. If you’re over 21, why not sit at the bar and get some homework done while drowning your sorrows in alcohol? Well, before the crowds get there! If you’re under 21, maybe stop by and grab a table to order some of their delicious wings to go along with your night of studying. I wouldn’t recommend going on a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday night, but maybe run up there on a Tuesday when it’s not full of drunk college kids. Dukum also offers wifi, so there is nothing stopping you from completing your assignments…except maybe the tequila.

5. Student Recreation Center – They say that exercise is good for the brain, so why not stop by the rec to study? Personally, I like taking my study guides with me during finals week and clipping them to an exercise bike or elliptical machine and reading over them while I work out. Another option could be stopping by one of the tables in the lobby and working out your mind in between working out your body. Just make sure you pack and extra pair of shoes!

4. Pagliai’s – Are you trying to finish a group project, but everyone is getting “hangry?” If so, it might be wise to get the crew to meet at Pagliai’s and finish business over a pizza. Wifi is available here as well, so your group can continue to collaborate. Hopefully you all can work together to decide which pizza toppings you want.

3. Adair County Library – You may be wondering why a library is on this list when there is a perfectly good one on campus. Well, I’m sure we’ve all procrastinated one too many assignments before. At that point, we have to disconnect from our social lives and focus on our work. If you stay on campus, you might run into someone you know and get caught in “word jail” with them. To avoid being rude, but to still get the atmosphere of the library, head over to the Adair County Library on Baltimore.

2. Tru Yo Cafe – Starting in February 2017, Truyo is going to reopen its doors with a brand new look. They will have a café vibe with more places to grab your laptop and get to work. Truyo doesn’t just serve frozen yogurt; it also has sandwiches and coffee. It doesn’t get much better than that!

1. Sweet Espressions Coffee House – A classic. If you haven’t heard of Sweet Espressions yet, then welcome to Kirksville. Sweet Espressions has a variety of flavors of coffee, which is a staple of any college student’s diet. I’d recommend the Lavender Mist—I get it pretty much every time I go there. When you walk in, you will see mostly college students guzzling their coffee and frantically typing on their computers. If you happen to be hungry, too, they offer a variety of breakfast and lunch options. This place is dripping with atmosphere and is perfect for finishing your assignments.