Don’t know where to cram for that exam? These are my top three study locations on campus!
#3: Alden Library
Typically, the go to for a lot of people, Alden Library has a plethora of floors and study spots depending on if you’re working solo, with another person, want complete silence, or don’t mind a little noise. I personally enjoy Alden the most for group projects and study sessions due to their “noisy” areas, where you don’t have to regulate your volume for other people’s sake.
With that, though, personally, I find Alden to have too many fluctuations in temperature depending on the floor and area; I can’t really work on an essay if I’m sweating my butt off, even if the view of College Green is gorgeous!
#2: My Dorm
I know a lot of people dislike doing their work or studying in their dorm due to multiple reasons. For example, some people have multiple roommates, where finding quiet time can be rather difficult. Even if you have a quiet single, though, there’s a psychological concept called mental compartmentalization, defined as “thoughts and feelings that seem to conflict are kept separated or isolated from each other in the mind”, according to its Wikipedia page. Ultimately, for some people, keeping your room, which is associated with rest and relaxation, in the same space as your work, which can be associated with stress and anxiety, can cause your mental state to get the two confused.
Personally, however, I don’t find an issue with mending the two, and often I find myself reading my textbooks or writing an essay in the comfort of my bed. However, my timing has to be more precise, so I don’t experience the noises from neighbors and such.
#1: Starbucks
Not only do I love to get a sweet treat or fun drink whenever I work in Starbucks, but the location on Court St. always has great music and the sounds of espresso machines and other people are kind of soothing to me. However, for others, it can be really difficult to focus with all the background noise, but I tend to lock in better when there is that noise.
Overall, I would recommend trying out a bunch of different locations to see what works best for you and your study habits. If you find you enjoy the cafe environment, try out different options like Brenen’s, Donkey Coffee, or Front Room. If you enjoy the library vibes better, try out different floors in Alden or find a study room in a dorm common area. No matter where you decide you can lock in the best at, do your work and go to class (trust me).