Many Jefferson students study and complete homework in common areas after school. This can be due to sports practices, rehearsals or simply wanting a different work area. But which ones are actually the best for schoolwork? Here is my ranking of the best common areas for studying after school.

10. Nobel

I think that a lot of students would agree that Nobel is the worst common area to work in at Jefferson. The second the bell rings, students flood the area and hog all the good window seats, leaving you with no choice but to sit on one of the couches with no table. If you have horrible luck and the couches are full, you get banished to the floor and are stuck working there until someone gets up again. To make matters worse, most people go there to just socialize, so there is a lot of chatter that makes it difficult to get anything done.

9. Carson

If you took a look at this common area, you would understand why it is ranked so low. Carson Commons is very small and has no tables except for the one near the windows. The only chairs there are foam blocks with ambiguous stains on them, and four stools next to the table. Since the windows are so small, there is little to no natural light which makes it very difficult to focus. The only positive thing about this common area is that it is in a niche area of the school, meaning that it will likely be quiet and empty.

8. Tesla

When I stayed after school to study for the first time, I went to Tesla Commons. For me, it was very hard to focus here due to the unnaturally bright fluorescent lights and, specifically, the tables. For some odd reason, the tables are arranged in an unusual formation and are a few inches higher than normal, so it is very awkward when sitting down. As for seating, there are a few plastic chairs that aren’t the most comfortable, and the majority of seats are made up of the musty foam blocks that are common at Jefferson. Overall, I think this common area does not aid productivity and is not the best option for getting things done.

7. Galileo

Galileo Commons, located right next to Nobel, seems like an optimal choice for getting work done. It has large windows, nice tables, and good-quality chairs. Even so, many students who have sports practices after school tend to congregate in Galileo to socialize, which makes it easy to get distracted while studying. Additionally, since Galileo is located near Nobel, there is background noise that can be heard when working, which is why it may not be a great place to focus for long periods of time.

6. Turing

Turing Commons is a very well-known area, and normally a good place to do schoolwork. It is spacious and has a variety of tables and chairs, but not many windows. It is usually quiet, but in the winter, some sports such as cheer practice in this common area, which can make it difficult to focus. 

5. Franklin

Franklin Commons is a go-to for many students at Jefferson. It has a variety of good seating options, such as the high tables and chairs towards the front and the four-seater group tables in the back. It is also spacious and has good lighting. However, this common area has its downsides. While preparing for the school play and musical, many students rehearse outside the theater room in Franklin, making it quite difficult to focus with the noise and amount of people.

4. Einstein

Einstein Commons is very empty and quiet after school, but you may find some leftover food on the tables, which can get a bit messy. The Jefferson Crew team uses the rowing machines in this common area towards the start of the spring season, so I would not recommend working there during that period of time. Even so, students never walk around this common area during the winter, meaning that there are little to no distractions when working there.

3. Faraday

This common area contains lots of tables and chairs, making it good for group work. It is usually quiet, but since it is in a pretty common hallway, you may see people passing by as you work. Nonetheless, Faraday Commons is generally quiet and a good area to be productive in.

2. Carver

Carver Commons is upstairs around the math classrooms, which is a very niche area of the school. This makes it very peaceful and quiet. The tables and chairs are arranged neatly, and, like some other common areas, there are large windows that allow for natural light. The only downside to this common area is that it is a bit small, but since many students do not go to Carver after school, this was not a big issue for me.

1. Newton

This common area is, by far, the best one at Jefferson. It is similar in structure to Galileo Commons, but is quieter and has fewer people sitting there. It’s pretty empty, with only around one to three people sitting there on a daily basis, and it has a lot of natural light due to the large windows. It’s a great place to get work done or just lounge around quietly after school. Additionally, Newton Commons has a printer and microwave, making it a very convenient area.