Alternative Study Spots

thestudyharder:

I recently received a question, asking me to make a post about study spots that AREN’T your university library, along with what to bring with in order to efficiently study. This really depends on your university and their campus… but I will do this to the best of my ability. 

As far as what you need to study at each location is typically up to your discretion and dependent on what you need to accomplish your study and homework tasks. I generalized my answers for that for each location to what I would bring.

1. Coffee Shop: (Yes, you can go to other shops that AREN’t Starbucks, too!)
1. Perks of studying here: 
1. The background noise of a coffee shop is actually known to help increase productivity and focus/concentration.
2. Coffee, snacks, and treats are available to you at all times!
2. What you need to study here:
1. Books, laptop, notebooks, notecards, pens, pencils, etc.
2. Headphones, just in case!
2. Empty Classrooms
1. Perks of studying here:
1. Allows your mental state to get into the “study mood” because of the location and surroundings.
2. Typically extremely quiet and will allow you to do your own thing.
1. Side note: Be aware of whether or not you needed to rent out the room you want to use before you do it… Otherwise you may get kicked out for a class.
2. What you need to study here:
1. Books, laptop, notebooks, notecards, pens, pencils, etc.
2. Headphones, as per usual. I like to listen to piano music when I study. (I have a playlist on Spotify for it!)
3. School “Union”:
1. Perks of studying here:
1. Gives you the background noise for concentration as mentioned with a coffee shop.
2. Has comfy lounge chairs, couches, etc. along with regular tables and chairs.
3. Sometimes has vending machines or food shops/coffee shops.
2. What you need to study here:
1. Books, laptop, notebooks, notecards, pens, pencils, etc.
2. Headphones, just in case.
4. Laundry Room:
1. Perks of studying here:
1. Gives you the background noise.
2. Freshens up the “typical” study spots.
3. Sitting on top of a washer or dryer makes you have good posture, which can lead to better concentration and focus.
4. You can get laundry done AND be productive at the same time.
2. What you need to study here:
1. Books, laptop, notebooks, notecards, pens, pencils, etc.
2. Headphones
3. Small back pillow, just in case. 
5. Study Rooms In Your Dorm (my dorm has 2 study rooms per floor):
1. Perks of studying here:
1. Allows you to leave the room and be in a new surrounding.
2. Sometimes gives you the kick in the butt to finish what you need to finish because others typically come in and out of the room to study/do homework as well.
3. Sometimes quiet study hours are enforced which provides you guaranteed silence while you work.
2. What you need to study here:
1. Books, laptop, notebooks, notecards, pens, pencils, etc.
2. Headphones, just in case. 
6. Lounge In Your Dorm (my dorm has a lounge on the main floor):
1. Perks of studying here:
1. Allows you to be surrounded by other students getting work done to motivate you.
2. Gives you the kick in the butt to focus and stay on track due to the constant filing in/out of other students coming and going.
3. Gives you the quiet murmurs of other students for background noise to help focus.
4. Sometimes strict quiet hours are enforced here as well which provides you guaranteed silence while you work.
2. What you need to study here:
1. Books, laptop, notebooks, notecards, pens, pencils, etc.
2. Headphones, just in case. 
7. Dining Hall:
1. Perks of studying here:
1. A little noisy, but you can still hunker down and focus.
2. Food is around you and drinks.
3. Typically during off hours the dining hall is WAY more quiet and has other students trying to focus as well.
2. What you need to study here:
1. Books, laptop, notebooks, notecards, pens, pencils, etc.
2. Headphones
8. Tutoring Center:
1. Perks of studying here:
1. Usually has quiet chit chat for background noise.
2. Help is around you if you need it.
2. What you need to study here:
1. Books, laptop, notebooks, notecards, pens, pencils, etc.
2. Headphones

Hopefully this helps, or helps jog your memory about other possible study spots on your campus when the library is just getting old. 

Happy studying!!

xx