1. The Holy Grail: Douwe Egberts Café
For city dwellers, the Douwe Egberts Café (DE) is a must-try. Its cosy ambience and the scent of freshly brewed coffee create a haven for students seeking a break from campus chaos. While not the end-all-be-all study spot, it's ideal for light studying or a change of scenery. Personally, I enjoy their hot chocolate with cream, which adds a comforting touch to study sessions. The café is a popular hangout for university students, offering a relaxing break with a sip of your drink amid the bustling world. If I had to describe DE in one word, it would be the quintessential Dutch term: gezellig. It’s a term that goes beyond translation, describing a feeling of warmth, coziness, and a sense of togetherness. It’s the very essence of what makes DE so special.
2. The Classic: Vrijhof
The university library, Vrijhof, is also popular among students. Their large rooms make it amazing for productive project meetings, and the one-person cubicles are a nice way to free yourself from distractions and really focus. Just remember to actually book the rooms, and not overstay your allotted time – kicking people out, and being kicked out, are equally awkward. Outside of the quiet library area are also desks for studying, along with a space dedicated to extra monitors. However, there aren’t a whole lot of places to study privately, though that can be both a benefit and an inconvenience depending on the time. The library, except the project rooms, isn’t a place to discuss things with your colleagues, so be prepared for a silent study session.
3. The Campus Gem: Langezijds
For me, the Langezijds building (nicknamed the Gallery) is the campus gem, mainly due to its stunning design. It seamlessly combines a connection with nature and a high-tech feel that the university is famous for. The open study spot on the upper floor offers a breathtaking view of the campus and beyond. There are tables for chess and checkers for breaks in between solving those pesky thermodynamics questions. There are extra monitors to plug your laptop into for those long coding sessions. Quieter in the evenings, it’s a perfect spot to grab a window-facing seat and observe students coming and going while focusing on your tasks.
4. The One That Could’ve Been: Technohal
Technohal, located right next to Langezijds, gives off a similar vibe to its flashier, greener younger brother. I think personally that the Technohal has a better view in the late afternoons, though the lack of monitors in Technohal is a huge downside at times. However, if you’re looking to study just with your laptop, in a truly ‘high-tech, human touch’ environment, Technohal is perfect. There are places to socialise and mingle for breaks in between your studying. The central staircase often serves as a popular hangout spot, and the comfortable chairs on the upper levels are perfect for extended study sessions.
5. The Student Spot: Bibliotheek Enschede
The city library is located right across from Douwe Egberts, and is the place most students in Enschede frequent, and not just the ones from the University of Twente. The library’s quiet and studious atmosphere is like a different planet to a café’s chill vibe. There are multiple spots in the library, mostly individual, and include outlets for your devices. The city library is great if you live in the city, and the café’s right next to you once you’re done studying.
6. The All-In-One: Carré
Carré is the home-base for Chemical Science & Engineering, and is the place for many activities: lectures, tutorials, group discussions, and lunch. The top floors of the Carré hold very nice spots for individual or group studying. However, the building does get noisy and crowded during lunchtime, as one of the university’s main cafeterias is located in the Waaier, which is connected to Carré.
7. The Controversial Choice: Bastille
Opposite the library, the Bastille houses the Student Union and numerous student associations. It features a Subway and a poke bowl place, with the Coop grocery store under a minute away. The Global Lounge provides beanbags, and the Bastille’s famous round tables are bookable for project meetings. The second floor has an e-sports lounge with a racing sim and top-tier PCs, and the Vesting Bar is above the bathroom area for a night of socialising.
The Bastille is probably the place I frequent the most, but it’s not a particularly pretty place. The study spots are dull and cramped, especially during peak hours when the place is bustling with students. I find myself socialising more than I study because there are so many distractions around. I just think that the campus and the city offer better study alternatives.
8. Lecture Hell: The Horst Complex
I would never choose to study in the Horst Complex. If you’re in engineering, then the Horst is where most of your lectures and tutorials will be held. The place is great for tutorials, with various spacious rooms. It’s home to most of the professors’ offices, so that’s where you’ll be popping in to ask questions during office hours. However, there aren’t any places to study privately, and to me, that’s the biggest downside of the place.
