| | I'm really picky about - among other things! - where I can do my studying. So when I embarked on studying for the CFA, finding a conducive place to study was quite a challenge since I don't properly belong to a school.
Back in my university days, Rice University's libraries were real blessings. I studied a lot in Fondren Library. I loved its high ceilings, dark wood furniture, floor-to-ceiling windows, and high shelves filled with hardcover books. I can't explain it, but just being in that environment already made me feel smarter.  I still remember the bliss which was sitting on a plush armchair, enjoying my Sociology textbook, and looking out the big windows into the main square of the campus, watching students passing or cycling by. I thought, "I love studying Sociology and I love this place. Thank you, God." When Fondren got crowded, I went to the business school's library. It was so brand-spanking new and fresh, yet always so empty; those MBA students didn't do a lot of studying for sure!
I remember one summer I visited a friend who was studying in Oxford University, and we popped into one of the college libraries. As soon as I entered, I just wanted out. The place felt claustrophobic, the air was dusty (or was it musty?), and I could feel my nose was going to act up if I were to stay there longer. I have to say, at that time I just thought, "My, I wouldn't be able to study here. Thank God for Rice's libraries." (I'm sure there were newer libraries in Oxford... just that we happened to stop by a small and old one!)
Fast forward to April 2009. I tried the Starbucks near my apartment, on Edgware Road; it was too dim and messy. Costa Coffee on the same road was too noisy. Starbucks on Baker Street had no tables big enough for my CFA books. Finally I found a Starbucks I was happy with. It's on the corner of Great Portland Street and Weymouth Street. This Starbucks isn't too busy, has high ceilings and almost floor-to-ceiling windows, looking into fairly quiet streets lined with quintessentially London brownstone buildings. I quite liked the music, too. So I studied there for about a week.
Then I tried the RIBA building which my architect fiance recommended to me. It's actually just round the corner from the Starbucks mentioned above. This building is quite a find. I would have never guessed that the place is open to public. The restaurant closes at 3 pm, and thereafter, this wonderful space is open to anyone. It's a beautiful hall filled with daylight and the decor is smart and stylish. I like.  (In fact, I like it so much I wish I could have my wedding there, but it's too late now.) I studied there for about two weeks.
Next, the Wellcome Library. I think this is where I'll study for the next month. I really like it as it feels like a proper university library (perhaps I just enjoy the fact that it brings me back to Rice), it's got Internet and printing when you need it, you can't bring food and water but there's a nice (read: fancy) water fountain in there. More importantly, unlike at Starbucks and at RIBA, I don't feel like I'm the only studying. Everyone there is mugging, so not only the physical environment is conducive for studying, but also the people. Thank you, Ying Hwei, for telling me about this place.
Well, I've got to go to the Wellcome library to study now! Blogging has been a nice break. 
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| | Posted 5/15/2009 9:38 AM - 4 Views - 0 eProps - 0 comments
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