By Katie Ngo
As the semester comes to a close, students have a seemingly endless list of exams to study for and projects to complete. That endless stress becomes more manageable with a good place to concentrate. Here’s a list ranking five different study spaces, from worst to best, to determine the best spot for focus.
5. The Bed
Coming in last place by far is the bed. This is a place that should only be used as a last resort, a signifier of truly being deep in the trenches of rigorous work.
While the general noise in the area varies for different living situations, there’s likely some ambiance in the background. Irregular background sounds can divert attention away from the task at hand and instead towards whatever is causing the commotion. Whether it’s the murmur of the TV or family gossip, something is bound to become a distraction.
Although noise can be distracting, the real struggle is the three-way war between sleep, distractions and getting any actual work done. With the warmth of blankets and the presence of a phone, it’s easy to lose a sense of time and focus.
It’s too comfortable, too familiar and too similar to time spent relaxing. Fighting that mental battle drastically reduces the effectiveness of the place and how much work will get done.
4. Desk or Table
A desk or table at home is a solid choice for studying or doing homework normally, especially if it is outside of the bedroom or another place often used for relaxing. This helps with separating the boundaries between work and rest, helping with productivity and concentration.
Even with this extra level of separation, it presents a similar number of distractions as the bed. When it comes to really focusing on tasks, it might not provide that needed extra push. The amount of work and time spent studying will be the same as a normal school day, not the level necessary before finals.
3. School Library
The school library is a step in the right direction. It’s a definitive studying space due to the level of separation from relaxation, reducing the likelihood of getting distracted. Some teachers also hold ‘Homework and Help’ there, making it a great opportunity to receive additional aid in difficult subjects.
However, one major caveat is the presence of friends. While their presence can be encouraging when studying, it also opens the door to more distractions and just hanging out instead of focusing.
Furthermore, many students already enjoy chatting and playing games in the school library. This becomes more prevalent during busy times for the library, such as during lunch or right after school ends. The noise level can make it difficult to truly focus and study.
2. Public Library
A public library is an amazing place to go and study. It’s practically guaranteed to be quiet, with minimal distractions in the area. Making the effort to study someplace that’s not immediately available breaks through the monotony of a routine, providing that extra push for longer study sessions.
In addition, many other people are likely studying or doing work there as well. When everyone else is also being productive, studying becomes much easier. It creates an atmosphere where the natural inclination is to focus instead of getting distracted.
The only downsides are the closing times. Most students, when gearing up for an extended period of time to do homework or study, often do so on the weekends. A small problem arises when considering the closing times of two common public libraries: the Huntington Beach Public Library and the Orange County Libraries. In both branches, libraries typically close at 5 p.m. on weekends, limiting the time for any afternoon studies.
1. Cafe
A cafe is the best place for studying. It provides that necessary degree of separation from normalcy, making it a breeze to stay on task. Other people are likely doing work there as well, encouraging productivity.
The best part though, has to be the ability to get a little treat while studying. It’s a great way to begin the day, giving that initial push into starting to work. Or it can act as a motivator in completing tasks, knowing that at the end there will be a small reward for a job well done. Either way, using a motivator to study and finish assignments encourages productivity and can build healthy study habits. It’s a better alternative than using demotivators such as stress or anxiety, which often makes focus for longer periods difficult and builds poor study habits.
One problem that might arise for some is the level of business in a cafe. A cafe, where customers are always coming and going, could prove to be distracting for some students. Those students could try going to a quieter cafe, or study during less popular times.
Some local cafes to consider studying at include Kei Coffee House and Phuc Long’s Coffee and Tea.
Long studying hours and a mountain of work can seem insurmountable, especially when trying to focus in a distracting environment. Moving to a different area and figuring out which study spot works best can make up the difference.
