Book Nooks and Brain Breaks – A Guide to Sensory Friendly Study Spaces🧋📚
Finding a suitable study space in between classes can be overwhelming in St Andrews, particularly if you are searching for the ideal environment that can cover your sensory needs. Fortunatley, an audit report detailing the sensory information of multiple places throughout and around St Andrews has been conducted. Using the data from this report, as well as some further research, this article highlights a collection of university spaces and public study areas and their sensory-related details. Specifically, this article will focus on the Visual, Audio, Smell, Touch and personal spacial experiences within these areas, and emphasise any specific Positive sensory spaces.
Main Library
The most popular place for students to study, the Main Library can be found on North Street. It is made up of four floors – the basement, the ground floor, level one and level two. There are additional seating areas outside of the building, as well as a cafe to the left of the main entrance. There is a help desk as well as IT support located on the ground floor and toilets, including gender neutral and accessible toilets that can be located on every floor. Additional facilities includes PC computers, printers and WiFi.
Visual👁 –
The entrance of the main library has some natural light from the glass sliding doors and large windows and the main area has artificial and fluorescent lighting. Patterned carpet and white/blue walls also run throughout the building. The effectiveness of the building’s sinage is mixed. The main area has clear signage indicating the help desk and IT support desk. However, the sinage displaying the floor levels are reported for being fairly unclear. The cafe area has a mix of florescent and natural lighting and there are some issues regarding innacurrate and unclear pricing displays.
The basement floor has little access to natural lighting and can look quite crowded, with no map to show the layout of the floor. The desks also have lamps for warmer lighting. In comparison, the upper two floors have better access to natural light, as well as a map of the floor layout. There is also clear sinage showing that these floors are silent areas and no food shoud be brought in. Finally, the assistive technology room, a room that is generally not used by students, reportably has broken ceiling panels and walls that need repainted. There is also the option to switch the light off in this room.
Audio👂 –
The main area can be quite noisy from talking, hand dryers, cafe equipment etc… The cafe’s flooring is not carpeted, which means that footsteps and chair movement can be noisy.
The basement level is similar in noise as it is also used as a social/group study area by some. However, there is a quiet room with study spaces on this floor that can only be accessed by post-graduate students (a student card is required to enter this space). Levels 1 and 2 are both generally quiet as those are designated silent spaces. Additionally, footsteps are muffled due to the carpeted flooring. Exceptions include the sound of hand dryers from the toilets and occassional whispering/murmering from other people. These floors also have information signs to indicate that any disrupted noise can be reported. Although not commonly used by other students, the assistive technology room can be noisy due to the ticking clock and the fan.
Smell 👃– Within the cafe, front entrance and main area, there is the smell of food, coffee and other students (e.g., perfumes). Most food in the cafe is wrapped, so some smells are contained. Food is permitted in the basement level, so there may also be smells there. Alternatively, there is no risk of strong food smells in the upper two floors, due to the food ban.
Touch and personal space✋–
The entrance, main area and basement level are both busy areas and can get crowded. The upper two floors can also get busy, especially during the exam period.
Due to the large windows, most areas are warm during the day. The cafe has a mix of hard seats, stools and booths. The main area also has a wide range of seating types, with chairs, stools and low couches. There is also a mix of shared tables, individual desks and computer spaces. There are also booths, but these are often occupied. The upper two floors has lots of seating spaces, with a mix of shared tables, individual desks and computer spaces an be warm in summer due to the large windows.
Sensory Positive Space😄- The main library also has a contemplation room. It is not soundproof but does provide a space for relaxation. The floor is patterned and there is a range of seating options – two chairs, two mini couches and a bean bag chair. There are also fidget toys and puzzles provided. Additionally, there is a sign outside the door that you can change from Vacant to Engaged, to let others know that the room is occupied.
Building Address
Library
North Street
St Andrews
KY16 9TR
Butts Wynd 24-hour Study Space
Located next to the library on North Street, this area provides additional quiet study spaces, for all students but particularly for postgraduate students. Your University ID card is required to access the building’s PC classrooms, postgraduate launge and study rooms. The postgraduate lounge has a kitchen area, with a sink, microwave, fridge and storage.
Visual👁 – This space a combination of natural light and bright artificial light.
Audio👂 – This area could be loud due to group study spaces.
Touch and personal space✋– Couches/cushioned chairs are found in the study rooms and lounge. There are lots of seats in computer room which are quite close to each other. There are also two group study rooms.
Important note: Their website states that there is currently a fire evacuation safety issue which means that those who requires a lift cannot access the upper floor. For the time being, Room 6 on the ground floor of Butts Wynd can be used and Hot and cold water and kitchen facilities are available in the main Library.
Building Address
Butts Wynd
University of St Andrews
St Andrews
KY16 9AZ
Chaplaincy
The Chaplaincy, found on Market Street, provides an overall welcoming and calming atmosphere for students. It has a garden that is mainly used by faith groups. It also provides prayer rooms.
Visual👁 – There is clear sinage displayed throughout the building and a board at the entrance, displaying pictures and the names of staff. There is also a lot of natural light. The walls are pale with calming colours (green and blue), and all rooms provides lamps for warmer lighting.
Audio👂 – This is a very quiet space, with little to no background noise.
Smell 👃– There are no noticeably strong smells.
Touch and personal space✋– Hard chairs are provided and space availability will vary depending on group bookings or social events, but the rooms feel large.
Building Address
The Chaplaincy Centre
Mansefield
University of St Andrews
3 St Marys Place
St Andrews
KY16 9UY
The Student Union
The Student Union is located on Market Street, across from the Chaplaincy, and is a popular space for students to study, socialise and hold society events. The Student Union can be divided into the following areas: the Rectors Cafe, the Main Bar, Sandy’s Bar, Beacon’s Bar, Club 601 and multiple study spaces and meeting rooms. Due to the different uses of these spaces and their differences in sensory experiences, this article will break down the Union into its different areas.
Rectors:
Visual👁 – This space has ceiling to floor windows which provides lots of natural lighting.
Touch and personal space✋– There are a good number of tables with hard chairs, with a few couches available. This space can get very busy.
Main bar:
Visual👁 – There are floor to ceiling windows, allowing a lot of natural light.
Audio👂–Can get noisy as it is used as a study and social space. There is also background music provided. The flooring is wooden and tiled, which can make footsteps and chair movement loud.
Smell👃 – There are potential food smells as it serves hot meals.
Touch and personal space✋ – There is a range of seating (hard chairs, couches, booths) and it can get quite busy.
Level 1 Study space:
Visual👁 – There is a computer and desk space.
Audio 👂– This level is carpeted, which can muffle the sound of footsteps. This is not a quiet or silent zone, so it can get noisy.
Sandy’s Bar:
Visual 👁– It has floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the garden.
Audio👂 – This area is generally quieter than Main Bar/Rector’s Café.
Touch and personal space✋– It is a small area that provides tables with chairs and couches.
Other – It has a small stage area with projector and lights.
Beacon Bar:
Visual👁 – There are floor-to-ceiling windows.
Audio👂– The flooring is tiled, so footsteps may be loud.
Touch and personal space✋ – Provides couches, padded chairs, and highchairs.
Club 601:
Visual👁 – The lights are bright when they are on.
Audio👂– It is a club space, so expect crowds and lots of noise.
Touch and personal space✋ – There are a few booths with tables.
Other – Also has a stage with curtains and lights.
Building Address
St Mary’s Place
St Andrews
KY16 9UZ
St Mary’s and King James Library
Located in South Street, this library is a great alternative study area to the main library, as it has a calming atmosphere and reflects a more traditional academic space. St Mary’s College Library can be accessed on the ground floor, while King James Library can be accessed via stairs to the upper floor. It is also open 9am-9pm. Additionally, it has gender neutral toilets that can only be accessed by stairs.
Visual👁 – The entrance is bright and there warm lighting throughout the building. Individual study spaces with individual desk lamps are provided. There are also seats located close to the windows that have lots of natural lighting. Additional seating spaces are located in the hallway next to window overlooking South Street – a good spot for a study break.
Audio👂– This is a silent study area, so little souds are emitted. The steps up to the first floor made of stone, so footsteps can sound fairly loud
Touch and personal space✋– This building has high ceilings, creating a spacious feeling. Cushioned seats are also provided.
Building Address
St Mary’s College Library
South Street
St Andrews
KY16 9JU
Black Sheep Coffee🐑
St Andrews is filled with coffee shops that can be an effective study space as well as a space to hang out with friends. This post will specifically highlight Black Sheep Coffee, due to some of its unique features that could provide a positive sensory experience. This shop can be located in Market Street and it is open roughly 7am-8:30pm (depending on the day). Customers can order using touchscreens, with four separate touch screens being provided. There is also free WiFi, as well as water jugs that are easy to access. Additionally, one accessible toilet can be located at the back of the shop.
Visual👁 – It very dark lighting with little natural or artificial light. There is also interesting artwork and an information board on the walls.
Audio – It can be quite loud at the front of the café (coffee machines, street noise etc…), but it is quieter at the back. There is also usually background music.
Smell👃– There is a strong coffee smell and sometimes a food smell.
Touch and personal space✋– There are both low cushioned seats and high stools. It stays at room temperatire, but can be colder at the back of the café. The cushioned seats and table are spread out and there is a lot more space closer to the back of the cafe.
Building Address
131 Market Street
St Andrews
KY16 9PF
Sports Centre
The University’s Sports Centre can be found on St Leonard’s Road, close to the North Haugh area. It provides a lot of facilities such as a gym suite, exercise rooms, a climbing wall, basketball/badminton courts, outdoor courts and fields. It also has a reception desk and small cafe by the front entrance. Although this building is mainly used by sport clubs, for exercise classes and for personal exercise, it is still worth mentioning a small spot that many people like to use to get some work or studying done. The cafe and front area has a couple of tables with nearby plug sockets. There is also a water dispensor and vending machine.
Visual👁 –The building has a clean and modern look. There is also a TV (it’s usually on the news) close to the entrance.
Audio 👂- Busiest and loudest times are 4pm-8pm. The main entrance and café space can get very busy and noisy.
Smell 👃– The main area may have the smell of food due to the café.
Building Address
Saints Sport
University Park
St Leonards Road
St Andrews
KY16 9DY
Fife, Scotland, UK
Walter Bower House Library (Guardbridge)
For the commuter students, particularly those living in Guardbridge, the Walter Bower House Library is an easy-to-access and quieter study space. The building’s distinct wooden structures makes it easy to locate on the Main Street and it is open 9am-5pm on weekdays. It provides 10 quiet study spaces as well as a reading room.
Visual👁 – There is little natural light with bright fluorescent lighting.
Audio – It is generally a quiet space.
Touch and personal space✋ –This space is not as busy. The table spaces are shared, so there is limited personal spae.
Building Address
Walter Bower House
Main Street
Guardbridge
St Andrews
KY16 0US
The Byre Theatre
The Byre Theate, located in Abbey Street, is a place where people can watch a variety of artistic performances. In addition to this, the building provides some upstair student-friendly nooks that could be a great place to get some work done. There is also lift access to these study spaces.
Visual👁 –There are fairly lights and lots of plants, creating a positive atmosphere. There is also lots of natural light, due floor to ceiling windows and skylights. Downstairs, there is a café which has darker lighting but there are large windows on one side.
Audio 👂– There is usually music playing (this ranges a lot- mostly jazz or classical music over speakers). Sometimes a live jazz band will play, which can be quite loud for some. Overall, it is a quiet space but not necessarily silent, background music and chatter.
Smell 👃– Potential smells from cafe area downstairs.
Touch and personal space✋ – Provides a range of seating (hard chairs and tables, and couches and coffee tables).
Building Address
Abbey Street
St Andrews
KY16 9LA
Martyr’s Kirk
Martyr’s Kirk and its Thompson Reading room is a study space specifically for postgraduate students. It is on North Street and is open 8:30am-9:30pm and provides facilities such as printers
Visual👁 –This area has warm lighting, as well as a mix of overhead and natural lighting from stained glass windows. Overall, it is a very atmospheric and calming environment – particularly ideal if you like traditional study spaces.
Audio 👂–This is a silent study space. The floors are also carpeted, so any footsteps are dampened.
Smell👃 – There is no food allowed, so there is a low risk of strong smells.
Touch and personal space✋– There are individual study spaces with individual desk lamps, storage heaters and hard chairs. The individual desks are generously spaced. The hallway has an alcove with old church pews- a good place if you need a bit of space to yourself.
Building Address
80 North Street
St Andrews
KY16 9HH
Irvine Computing Room
Located in North Street, the School of Geography and Sustainable Development’s building, also known as the Irvine Building, has a computer room that can be an effective study space for some students.
Visual👁 –The room has bright overhead lights, blue pattern carpteted flooring and windows that overlook the front of Salvators Hall.
Audio👂 – The room has a loud fan, so it is not a silent space. Regardless, it is still considerably quieter than other areas
Touch and personal space✋– The room is usually a cool temperature and the desks are very close together.
Building Address
University of St Andrews
Irvine Building
North Street
St Andrews
KY16 9AL
Final Thoughts
An overview of the key non-teaching study spaces and their sensory information has been provided to hopefully help current and future St Andrews students find the spaces that fits their sensory needs. Although some sensory-friendly spaces, such as the library’s contemplation room and Black Sheep Coffee, were recommended, it is important to mention that a sensory-positive space is subjective to the individual. I would recommend exploring all of these different options and find what is best for you personally.
Additional information on the spaces discussed can be found on the university’s website here.
Student support can also be found on this page.