How to find the best (and worst) places to study for finals
When we think about optimizing our study time, we usually touch on subjects like time management or all-nighters versus early-morning cram sessions.
But just as important as how — and when — we study is where we study. Are you a dorm room person or a library person? Coffee shop or student union? Do you like to study outside when the weather allows, or do nature’s distractions keep you indoors?
William Wadsworth, who studies, well, studying, and is the founder of the blog Exam Study Expert xpert.com/says the best place to crack a book or break out the laptop is wherever you can get “your mind into the right mode to work on the task at hand.”
Studying is emotional
This means your optimal study locale depends on two things: “your mind” and “the task at hand.”
Let’s start with your mind. Not everyone has the same studying style, needs or preferences. Everyone feels inspired, calmed or distracted by different things. Think about the most focused studying you’ve ever done. Where was it? What did it look like? How did it feel?
Related: How to study for all your finals while still taking care of yourself
Some people enjoy light, airy spaces, and others feel safe and cozy in the confines of their cave-like library basements. Some like a cool and crisp environment to keep them focused, while others’ brains shut down if they’re chilly. Do you want a whole conference room to yourself to spread out, or do you want to be curled on the couch? Do you like to move around while you study, 30 minutes at a desk, then 30 minutes on the couch?
These questions take time to answer from the armchair. You might not yet know your preferences, especially if you’re just starting college. Wadsworth encourages students to try different things and take mental notes about what works and what doesn’t.
”Experiment,” he says. “Find what works for you, and don't be afraid to mix up your physical environment from time to time. Try studying in a space you've never been to before. The novelty is something to savor, and you might just find a new favorite writing haunt.”
To hang or not to hang?
One of the most significant factors to consider when picking a study spot is whether you want to be around others while trying to set yourself up for success on your next exam. This may track with whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert — if being around other people is draining or stimulating.
If you need to think out loud or iterate with others, then social environments like your library’s open-space areas, cafes, or shared spaces in your dorm complex are good options. You’ll probably be less productive in the dead-silent library stacks or alone in your dorm room. But those stacks, a secret library room on the 10th floor, or the desk in your room might be a blissful oasis for someone who gets overwhelmed in a bustling common area.
Related: These are the best (and worst) times to study based on your personality
If you’re an extrovert, that doesn’t always mean you should study in the most crowded, loudest spot-on campus. You might enjoy the energy of being around your friends, but can you resist the temptation to spend all afternoon talking about last night’s party or the new episode of Succession while you’re trying to get through your course material? That’s me. While I learn well collaboratively, it’s not worth the toll it takes on my focus to work with friends.
Grabbing a conference room with your roommates might sound like the ideal option for a Sunday study session — but be honest with yourself. Visualize how that will actually work. Try studying in a café alone. That way, you can speak out loud, interact with others, or reach out to a classmate to talk through something. The room may be buzzing, but temptation won’t be all around.
Right spot, right task
Not all types of studying are equal. If you’re quizzing yourself on flash cards or writing a paper, each requires a different environment.
“For a creative task, that might mean the buzz of a coffee shop,” says Wadsworth. “For getting your head around a complex new bit of theory or memorizing for an exam, you might want the silence and intensity of a library.”
Being intentional about where you do which kind of work can have other benefits. If you can associate diverse types of work with different types of spaces, building a routine around that can help you snap into gear as soon as you sit down.
”Experiment with different spaces for different kinds of work,” says Wadsworth. “Try the campus cafe for brainstorming ideas for a creative project. Try the main library reading room when you're practicing exam papers. Or how about a nearby study room for your weekly essays.”
Where not to study
If you frequently find your mind wandering to what's going on around you, that's a good sign that you might want to seek out an alternative space.
You can figure out where not to study simply by paying attention to your feelings and your productivity. Don’t return to a spot that’s not working for you just because it’s convenient or because your friends are there. It’s worth the extra 10-minute walk or saying goodbye to friends to head home at the end of the evening feeling good about what you accomplished.
Related: How to create a distraction-free environment where you can actually study
Wadsworth advises setting boundaries between spaces where you rest and spaces where you study. Collapsing this boundary can make it harder to do both activities.
“Consider your ability to compartmentalize,” he says. “It can be really good for your mental health to use a different space to study and save the dorm room for rest and sleep.”
There will obviously be times when your dorm room is the best — or only — place to study. In this case, try to compartmentalize the space.
“Create different nooks, even within a small room, for your different tasks,” he says. “Look around. What distractions are there in the room? What might pull your attention away from your studies? Keep your phone off and out of sight. If you have a [gaming] console, unplug it and put it away.”
Remember the basics
It might seem obvious, but choosing a study space that caters to your basic needs — like access to a bathroom, food, water, functioning Wi-Fi, electrical outlets and climate control — is essential.
Dealing with something as basic as being hungry or too cold will throw your focus from the jump. In those situations, little else about the space itself matters. Don’t overlook your basic needs — even if that means skipping your favorite cafe with just one table by an outlet. If you’re not intentional about what you require to study well, any location can be the wrong one.
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