Settle in, kids. It’s here – what you’ve all been waiting for. Not exam term itself, but the perfect excuse to review Cambridge’s libraries.

I’ve made it my mission to climb those stairs, sip vending-machine coffee and search for those peskily-placed plug-sockets – all in the name of finding you the best study spaces. No, please – it’s been a pleasure. I know no one actually asked or wanted me to write this feature, but what can I say? I’m a slut for libraries.

Law Faculty: 8/10

The Squire is intimidating to say the least. From the outside, it’s slick, glossy and sleek looking. Even walking into the foyer makes me feel as though I could be walking through a corporate company in the City.

It’s all glass windows and people making hushed important phone calls on landings. There are three floors of library, with a space underground consisting of a café, lots of tables and a small sofa station down more stairs. The Squire seems to be populated by the entirety of Cambridge: you can’t move for some grave-looking student bashing fervently at their keyboard and groaning at Article 6, Section 9 of tort law (I don’t know – does it look like I do law? Please don’t sue me).

I feel far too intimidated to check Facebook or Twitter in case they realise I am a fraud and have no idea what tort law means. (Look – I’ve googled it multiple times and still don’t understand.)

For some reason, the Squire’s atmosphere is pressuring. I get quite annoyed at someone analysing equations in front of me before realising that I, in fact, study HSPS. I leave the Squire having done a lot of work but also exhausted by having pretended to be a law student.

Food: Blue Sandwiches is a great place to have food (panini, samosas, cheap coffee on offer) and there is also a vending and coffee machine (coffee isn’t great though).

Best Feature: The atmosphere is definitely intense and great for when you actually need to do work.

Worst Feature: It gets full very quickly and the first floor is reserved for law students.

Opening Hours: 9am-10pm (weekdays), 9am-6pm (Saturday), 11am-5pm (Sunday - a pilot initiative).

History Faculty – 8/10

The Seeley is architecturally stunning – looking at it, it’s a beautiful kaleidoscope of slanted glass windows filled with sunlight. But don’t be deceived – most of the studying section is on the ground floor and the elevated bit are offices. Everyone’s eyes are upon you when you walk into the Seeley. Literally. To go in, you have to walk past everyone in the study area: think of it as a catwalk.

Plus, there are stairs you have to go down which I may or may have not stumbled on. (By that, I mean I definitely did and will honestly never recover.) If you don’t want to sit in the open plan space and judge/get distracted by everyone entering, though there are seats around the edge which face out onto the Squire and MML Fac. The mezzanine above offers nicer views but lacks sockets.

“The Seeley is architecturally stunning – looking at it, it’s a beautiful kaleidoscope of slanted glass windows filled with sunlight”

Food: The small café upstairs is closing but the JCR also functions as a studying space.

Best Feature: The seats on the outskirts are wonderful to work in.

Worst Feature: Having to walk past everyone every time you need the loo/fill up your water bottle.

Opening Hours: 9am-7.15pm (weekdays), 9am-6pm (Saturday), 1pm-6pm (Sunday)

English Faculty – 9/10

Ah! The English Faculty is just wholesome now isn’t it? Like the parent tucking you in at night with a bedtime story. The Fac offers sweets, blankets, lockers and just an aura of general healthiness. There are lots of varied places to work: the main workspace faces a full glass wall so you look upon a pretty little garden. However, this space gets full quite quickly. Thankfully, there are more seats at the back with large windows and sofas, beanbags, single desks and larger desks upstairs. The single desks seem quite claustrophobic but are good for intense work. Do be warned – as scorned by a recent Grudgebridge, there is a tendency for the very wavy and edgiest people to frequent the English Fac trying to outdo each other. I was made to leave after 5 minutes because I was wearing a Michael Kors watch.

Food: Vending machines outside. Plus – hot drinks (with lids) are allowed!

Best Feature: The homely, friendly atmosphere.

Worst Feature: It’s always very busy.

Opening Hours: 8.50am-9pm (weekdays), 10am-6pm (weekend)

Big Mouth: All the exam answers that matter

Stay tuned for Part Two where I will be reviewing the Divinity, Marshall, MML and Philosophy Libraries. I know, I know – you’re on the edge of your seat in anticipation. Although I’ve visited a fair amount of libraries in the past few days, I’m yet to actually do any work. Visiting Libraries doesn’t equal doing revision. Who would have thought?