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Office of Undergraduate Admissions

  • A drone view of the Horseshoe with students walking across.

USC's Best Study Spots

Are you on the hunt for the best places to study on campus? Well, look no further — we’ve got it covered! Check out this list of our five favorite places to study at USC.

SCANA in the Darla Moore School of Business

Our business school is home to a beautiful study common that anyone can take advantage of! It’s an easy place to fuel up to study, with an in-house Starbucks located right next to the Global Café, a USC dining hub that features a rotating menu of cuisines from around the world. The wrap-around terrace is one of the best outdoor spaces on campus to study when the weather is warm!

view of the SCANA porch at the Darla Moore School of Business


The Horseshoe

What would a list of great study spots be without the Horseshoe? This green space at the heart of campus is the perfect place to lay out a blanket and get your homework done. Not only can you enjoy the beautiful scenery, but chances are you’ll find a fun study break activity by playing with some cute puppies!

Photo of UofSC's historic Horseshoe


Sweetwaters/Cool Beans

We’re lucky to have some awesome local coffee shops located conveniently on campus! These coffee shops are beloved study spots to many of our students! Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea is located just down the street from the Arnold School of Public Health, Koger Center for the Arts and Darla Moore School of Business. Here, you’ll find delicious coffee and outdoor seating (if you’re lucky enough to find an empty table!). Cool Beans Coffee Co and the College Grounds Café can be found right across from the Horseshoe and are a crowd favorite coffee house to study at during all hours of the day!

Photo of an iced coffee in front of the Sweetwaters Coffee Shop


Thomas Cooper Library

Don’t worry, we wouldn’t possibly forget to mention our library on this list! Affectionately known as T-Coop, the Thomas Cooper LIbrary sits right behind the well-known and loved reflecting pool and is home to seven floors of various studying environments that students know all too well (we’re looking at you, finals week). With 5 floors located underground, the limited cell service available makes it even easier to focus. The full-service Starbucks on the main level is sure to help you stay awake through late night hours of studying!

Photo of chairs, table and bookshelf on the first floor of Thomas Cooper Library


Science and Technology Building

Our newly renovated Science and Technology Building reopened during the Spring 2020 semester, and it’s a beauty! This facility has so much to offer (we promise it’s not just for organic chemistry labs) with modern study lounges on every floor and a snack shop downstairs. The best hidden gem in this building is the outdoor patio on the top floor — the perfect spot to get some fresh air while also staying in the shade when you have some studying to do!

View of the Science and Technology builing decorative wall


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