When it comes to study environment, my favorite place I think of is my bed. It’s warm, comfy, around my hall of friends, and I can even fall asleep in it and it would be totally normal! However, it does not serve as the best study environment in the world. Or anywhere. I finally broke down and admitted that to myself, and decided to approach my study environment a bit differently. First of all, I needed to decide what I needed to study. You might think this wouldn’t matter, but it certainly does, at least for me. It helps to imagine myself studying that particular subject in a particular area in order to decide if that is the right place to go. The first subject I did this with was my CRS 183 class. I had a quiz that friday and needed to look over my notes and use my study guide.

My dorm window happens to overlook the entire campus, which I love. (If you do don’t have this, you can use a map.) So, I glanced out my window and went through the different buildings on campus. There were some places, such as the main library, which would work for many people. I, however, don’t like studying in the library at all. It makes me feel uncomfortable and anxious with everyone studying in the silence. I looked at the Life Sciences building. I remembered I had a class there last semester, and there was a big seating area with comfortable chairs. But, they were right next to huge windows which would distract me, plus all the people walking in and out of class would be a huge distraction. Also, I would constantly get out and buy something else from the cafe. So I would gain twenty pounds and not have studied for my test. Bad idea. I then looked at Whitman, the School of Management Building. I remembered on the tour, my tour guide (who wasn’t in the business school) told my group that whenever he needed a quiet place to do work and study, he went to Whitman and studied in one of the lounges, or even in the lobby, because it was so quiet and a great place to concentrate. I had never tried that, so I decided to give it a chance. I took my books and my study guide and headed to Whitman, got a snack on Marshall Street on the way, and looked for the quiet study lounges my tour guide told my group about. After asking about fifty people, I finally found my way to quiet study rooms. They were perfect. I don’t think I have ever gotten so much work done in my entire life. Not only did I study for my CRS 183 test, I did work for the next class and started the next paper that was due. I felt great about myself, and even greater that I was able to go back to my bed, and sleep! And not feel bad about doing so either. Whitman worked for me, but a different place might work just as well for you. It’s all about finding a place that suits you, and suits what you need to work on. Once you find that, you’re set. Good luck!