There is a lot to be considered when it comes to studying. In my “A Study Guide to Avoid Frustration" article, I wrote about where to begin when you have to study. That article was like a cheat sheet to prepare yourself, while this one is a guide to the kind of environments that may help you study better. Your surroundings are very important when it comes to your concentration and the kind of distractions you may face. Here is a list of different studying environments you may find:

Your Dorm

The first place that comes to mind when thinking about where to study is your dorm room —or your bedroom if you live at home. This is a place that you arranged in a way that feels comfortable to you and that always helps stay focused. You can spread your books and notes all around. You can read out loud. You can move around while studying. It is a very personal space that will allow you to take whatever steps you need to make studying easier.

Family Home

If you are living at home while in college or your family home is close by, you may choose this space as your studying spot. You may have different rooms where to study and being at home makes you feel calmer to face the challenges that studying presents. It can be tricky at times because your family could get loud and distract you. If you choose this spot, you have to make sure you stay away from any possible distractions.

The Library

The library is a popular place to study. Most colleges have late hours when it is exam season, therefore you can go whenever you want. It is a quiet place, with no distractions, and with access to all the information you need to prepare for your exam. If your college has a library, take advantage of it and you will not regret it. Use all the books you need. Stay all the hours you can and you will see how beneficial it is for you.

A Coffee Shop

There are people who love to study at coffee shops. These are the kind of people who need noise around them to actually concentrate on what they need to study. The coming and going of others, the conversations around them, or even the music helps them stay on track. If you are one of them, you already have that one coffee shop you always go to and that should be the one you choose when it comes to studying.

Outdoors

Last but not least, you have the opportunity to study outdoors. There are students who concentrate the best when they are in contact with nature. Just sitting outside on a bench, putting a blanket down on the grass, or simply being surrounded by trees helps them process the information better. If you have never tried this, I recommend you do it at least once. I have realized that being outside helps to start fresh and that may be what you need to ace your exam.

Studying is always a very stressful activity and we can easily get overwhelmed by it. Finding the perfect studying environment can be what is missing from your process. Try out different places and see which one is best for you. Once you find your favorite spot, starting your studying journey will become much easier and you will definitely see better results.

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