With finals just around the corner, it’s time to start cracking down and studying. It can be hard to focus in a room by yourself, which is why I wanted to find public places to get work done. It may seem like working in your room alone is the most efficient way to focus, but studies show that even just individuals working around the same table, not collaborating, were more productive than those working alone. This represents the idea of social facilitation, which is when the presence of others engaged in the same task boosts our motivation. If you want to be more productive during finals season, grab some friends — or just yourself — and head to some of my favorite places around campus to study.
- Deet’s Place
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From the beginning of the school year, Deet’s Place was my favorite place to do work and study at. Deet’s is such a homey environment, great for getting your work done. I love how I can order coffee or a pastry anytime I want and continue studying. When it’s nice outside, I love sitting at the tables outside for some fresh air, however, these are closed at the moment due to construction. Make sure to try the spinach feta croissant if you ever find yourself studying here.
- Newman library
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The library is always a good place to study no matter, what your preferred environmental conditions are. The second floor is a great place to get work done if you need a little bit of chatter while the fifth floor (my personal favorite) is a good place to study if you need a silent environment. Newman Library is a perfect place to go if you want to study alone or bring friends; the fourth floor is perfect for group study as there are a lot of big tables there. You can also rent out a study room on their website if you ever want a private area to study.
- new classroom building
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I had my first class at New Classroom Building this semester and discovered all the cute study areas here. There are multiple study areas on each floor, including tables and booths. It is a nice quiet place to hang out and study in between classes. The only downside is that it can be difficult to find a table there, but if you see one, make sure to snag it quickly.
These are some of the places I am most productive, and I am excited to try out new places next semester.