• 3-minute read
• 2nd July 2016

The Best Places to Study: 5 Superb Suggestions

If you’re studying, the last thing you need is other people constantly demanding your attention, compliance, assistance and/or overdue rent money. As such, living with friends or family can mean that home isn’t always the best place to get work done.

But what alternatives are there when you need to research an essay or revise for a test? Well, you could try one of these five superb suggestions for places to study.

The Library

We’ll start with the obvious one. If anywhere was ever designed for studying, it’s your university’s library spaces: quiet, plentiful seating, access to computers, lots of books… what more could you want?

Admittedly, campus libraries often get busy when essay deadlines and exams approach, so they’re not always completely peaceful places. But in this situation, you can look for other libraries in your area.

Study Buddies!

If you can’t find quiet at home, someone else’s house might be a better choice. And no, we don’t mean you should break into your neighbour’s home. That is unlikely to help anyone.

Instead, find a like-minded friend or set up a study group so that you don’t have to revise alone. You might have to take turns hosting, but it will help ensure that you’ve always got a suitable environment in which to work.

A Coffee Shop

They’re not always the quietest places in the world, but coffee shops and cafés can provide a great alternative to studying at home.

As well as providing a steady source of caffeine – something essential to many students’ ability to function as human beings, never mind revise effectively – going to a coffee shop gets you away from distractions at home, which can help you to maintain focus.

Outside

It depends on the time of year and the weather, but why feel like you need to be stuck indoors to study?

You don’t have to shun sunlight for the sake of academic achievement. [Photo: Patrickneil]Whether you choose the park, the beach or the top of a mountain (practicality notwithstanding), heading outdoors to study means you can get some fresh air while boning up for an exam!

On Campus

We’ve covered the library already, but many don’t realise how many other choices they have for places to study on campus. A good option is to search your university’s website for information on dedicated study spaces and student lounges.

This can be especially useful for grad students, as many institutions will set aside extra resources for postgraduates.