FAQ: Study space

Residents often ask where they can study in the Hall, or if we can open rooms for them to study privately.

We expect most residents to do most of their study either in their room or at their college library. We provide a desk, chair, and lamp so you can study comfortably in your room. We do, however, provide other places for you to study. Residents in twin rooms have priority access to this study space.

Computer room

The Lang Room on the lower ground floor has two internet terminals for you to browse the web. There are also four computer desks which can be used for private study.

Convocation Trust Study Room

The Convocation Trust Study Room on the lower ground floor is for private quiet study mainly by students sharing twin rooms. There is comfortable space for nine people to use this room.

Additional study space

In the summer term, we will provide additional study space for residents who want to revise outside of their room. Normally we will leave the dining hall open from 7 pm to 11 pm for this purpose - but please remember to remove your things from the dining room by 11pm so we can lock up.

The dining hall is also routinely open on weekdays from breakfast until 2 pm, mainly so you can use the toaster, but you can study there, too.

In all these areas, please do not leave your books and study materials on the desks when you are not there: it's not fair on other residents who might want to use the space, and in some areas (especially the dining hall), can be unsightly - and is at risk of being thrown away by the cleaners!

We can be flexible, so if you need a particular type of space for a special project (e.g. big tables or an area for group study), contact me at least a five days in advance at warden@connaught-hall.org.uk or come to one of my open office sessions (openoffice.connaught-hall.org.uk) to discuss your requirements. I will do what I can to help.

Please also remember you can use most of the college libraries within the University of London, and these will operate extended opening hours during the exam season.

Library desks

I received several complaints this weekend about study space in the library being unfairly "reserved" by some residents and even non-resident guests. I must agree with the complainants that this behaviour is very unfair.

The Residents' Handbook says: "The library on the lower ground floor is for private quiet study mainly by students sharing twin rooms. Please do not leave work out on the desks and do not eat in the library or use it for group study as others may be trying to concentrate." (http://handbook.connaught-hall.org.uk)

The library is a facility shared between 230 students and space is limited. Please be considerate of the needs of your fellow residents and do not leave your work and study materials on the desks if you are going to be away for more than 20 minutes.

If this continues to be a problem, we will start making random checks and removing items from desks that are left unattended, so that everyone can have a fair chance of using our newly refurbished study room.

 Remember we are also leaving the dining hall open for extra study space this term.

As always, get in touch if you have any comments, suggestions, or complaints, or if you need our help with anything that is bothering you.

FAQ: Gym / fitness room

Does Connaught Hall have a gym / fitness room?

No. Unfortunately, our fitness room had to be closed in 2009 because we were unable to insure users of the fitness equipment against injury.

What used to be the fitness room is now our library.

All University of London students can join the "EnergyBase" gym at ULU on Malet Street and the "Bloomsbury Fitness" UCL union gym on Gordon Street, both of which are very nearby. There are also Fitness First, Nuffield Health, and Bannatyne’s gyms within easy walking distance of the Hall and most offer discounted membership rates for students.

Library - residents' survey 2011

Early responses to the residents' survey showed a great deal of dissatisfaction with the library. In response, we were able to have decorators in to plaster the walls and repair the damaged windows, and re-paint the library.

Over the next few weeks (so in good time for the summer term, when the library tends to be most used), I want to have some shelves and books put into the library, hang some pictures on the walls, and place some bright uplighters to make it a nicer working environment.

See a summary of the survey results and a selection of the comments made at survey.connaught-hall.org.uk.

Library

Good news! After feedback from residents about the library, we have been able to secure funding for a refurbishment. Your library should be a much nicer environment to work in by the end of the week.

Residents' Survey - library lighting

Responses to Residents' Survey 2: lighting in the library

Continuing my series of blog posts to repond to residents' comments in the February 2010 intercollegiate halls residents' survey. A summary of responses to the multiple choice questions on the survey can be seen here: Residents' Survey results. And you can filter this blog so just the survey-related posts show by clicking on "survey" in the list of labels on the right hand side.

The lighting in the library comes from behind such that one's body throws a shadow over the desk. It would be nice if there were lights at the desks.

The library is too dark. But I believe this is presently being looked into.

The library is far too dark to work in.

Library is very dark and not very useful.

Library: needs individual lights as discussed since ages.

New desk lamps have been installed in the library. I hope this will make it a better environment in which to study.