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Self-study is one of the keys to success as you navigate your way through your college or university course. However, if you struggle to find a good place to study, you will find it hard to stay motivated and get the best out of your study periods.
Therefore, we thought it might be helpful if we gave you some ideas of possible places you could choose to study, along with the pros and cons for each.
In the library
There’s no doubt about it, the library is a great place to study. Not only do you have access to large, quiet spaces to work from, but you also have endless resources around you to gain information. The Wi-Fi is free and usually pretty speedy in the library, so you can plug your laptop in and be ready to research in a jiffy.
The only drawback of the library is that it doesn’t work well for group work or discussions. Plus, if you like to listen to music as you work, you will have to ensure that your volume is kept low so that you don’t disturb other people working there too.
In your bedroom
This may seem like the easy option: Wake up, grab your laptop, open your files and begin your work without even having to get out of bed, or change out of your pyjamas!
However, although working from your student bedroom is an option at those times when you really need to, it shouldn’t be a long-term solution. After all, your bedroom should be a place where you go to for relaxation and sleep. You don’t want to start associating your room with work, study and stress, as it could disrupt your sleep routine as well as become cluttered with all your papers and notes.
In your living room
You chose your student home in Leeds because you loved the atmosphere and vibe of the property. Therefore, it seems like a natural place to be able to study and feel comfortable as you do so. The Wi-fi connection should be steady and you have access to unlimited cups of tea as you study.
Just ensure you have a sufficient lighting and a good desk space, and chair that will help you maintain a good posture as you work. Try to minimise distractions, i.e. housemates watching Netflix at the same time, and don’t be tempted to carry out your household chores instead of sticking to the job at hand!
In a coffee shop
When you need a break from the library and your student home to work from, it’s often nice to get a change of scenery by finding a quiet, sociable spot to base yourself for a couple of hours.
A coffee shop or a quiet restaurant make nice alternatives and allow you to be around other people in a relaxed environment. It might be just what you need to spark up some creativity for your next project!
Outdoors
There are many positives of spending time outdoors in nature. It has been proven to improve your mood, productivity and focus, as well as reducing stress and anxiety.
Therefore, it makes perfect sense to take your studies outside to benefit from all the great things that fresh air offers you.
Obviously, this option is weather dependent as study papers + rain or strong winds really don’t mix well! However, when the forecast looks good, head out to your local park and find a quiet bench to base yourself at. Outdoor study is especially good for reading, revising and anything creative where you can use the nature to inspire you.
You might find that different places work well for different types or study, and depending on your mood, the weather and the plans of your housemates, you might want to organise a variety of study locations for your working week!