Discovering the best places to study can significantly improve your focus, learning, and retention of vital information.
Studying is an essential part of life and requires dedication and concentration.
Unwanted distractions hamper your ability to focus and get work done.
As a result, finding the most suitable areas to study allows you to learn faster due to fewer distractions and interruptions.
While there are many places you can study, these 8 locations help you concentrate and accomplish your goals.
Without further adieu, here are the eight best places to study.
1. Coffee Shops
Coffee shops from your local mom-and-pop shop to Starbucks are frequently popular among students for several reasons.
First, these environments are great for group study collaborations, and the ambiance benefits work and group conversation.
As a result, coffee shops provide a lively atmosphere centered around growing and learning.
If you have trouble studying alone in quiet settings, ambient and energetic coffee shops provide a sense of connection.
A slightly stimulating environment can improve your mood even if you study alone.
Secondly, coffee shops offer students and workers who spend long sessions studying.
For example, coffee is excellent for improving concentration and increasing energy.
There are also numerous food options for those that get hungry.
Lastly, numerous studies prove coffee shops set the mood for those that need to focus.
Coffee shops don’t have televisions or other distracting technology, unlike studying at home.
Although coffee shops feature ambient noise, everyone focuses on work and creativity. As a result, it isn’t constantly distracting.
2. The Library
It is one of the first places people consider studying in the local library.
You can find everything from books to study programs and online computers dedicated to research.
Some libraries provide tutors and educators to maximize your learning experience.
As a result, the most helpful libraries provide everything students need to succeed.
If you study at a library, come prepared and bring the appropriate clothing because the library may be cold.
Ultimately, this allows you to stay focused on work without worrying about freezing from cold temperatures.
Also, consider whether the library allows snacks or drinks if you get hungry.
If the library allows snacks, choose ones that don’t make lots of noise when you eat.
3. Bookstores
Bookstores are suitable for studying and focusing on school work as they are reasonably quiet.
Furthermore, everyone in the store reads learns, and educates themselves.
As a result, you’ll feel better focused while studying and completing work.
When selecting a bookstore, look for lounge areas or coffee shops.
These stores encourage you to relax and even allow you to pick up a book or two to read.
Not only does this help you study, but it also gives you opportunities to research and learns new information.
With that said, make sure the bookstore encourages this behavior.
4. Tutoring/Study Centers
Colleges and libraries commonly feature tutoring and study hubs.
Dedicated study centers offer learning areas and additional services for students and workers.
You can find these places by asking human resources or the local school directory where these centers are.
Sitting down with a tutor is excellent in tutoring and studying centers.
Essentially, they can help you with the topics you’re struggling to understand.
However, not all study centers offer tutor services.
Therefore you’ll want to consider your educational needs in advance.
If you have complicated coursework or want to learn new study techniques, a tutor can significantly improve your experience.
5. An Empty Classroom
If the teacher doesn’t mind you staying in their empty classroom, this setting can be a perfect place to study.
Because class sessions focus on schoolwork, your mind will naturally assume a study mentality just by being in the classroom.
If you have difficulty focusing on work in other locations, try sitting in an empty classroom.
In turn, if your brain automatically switches to a study mindset, it can be highly effective for learning.
This technique also works for getting into a specific mindset for different activities.
For instance, going to the gym prompts you to exercise, whereas laying in bed creates a sense of tiredness.
Of course, this assumes you use these locations as intended.
You’ll find this helpful strategy if all you do is talk at the gym or watch TV in bed.
Your whole mood and mentality may naturally gear themselves towards studying in a classroom setting.
6. The School/College Lounge
School lounges are great for students that want more ambiance than a library, but not so much that it’s distracting.
These lounge areas also benefit from being around other students studying.
Surrounding yourself with like-minded people helps you concentrate better on the task.
Essentially, you go to the basketball court to play ball, the movies to watch a movie, a restaurant to eat, and a study/school lounge to focus on schoolwork.
Each environment focuses on something particular, so put yourself in a place conducive to your goals.
7. The Park
Going to the park is a natural way to improve your mood by surrounding yourself with nature.
Furthermore, many enjoy being outside rather than staying in a room or building.
Consequently, studying at a park table, bench, or picnic area can boost your mood and inspire creativity and focus.
Not only do you receive natural light and vitamin D, but you also become more connected to the outdoors.
Finally, consider bringing food and a drink so you can enjoy the breeze and eat a good meal.
It will help you stay focused and provide optimal energy throughout your study session.
8. Local Community Centers
Lastly, if your school or neighborhood has a community center, check out to see if they offer study-friendly areas.
The community center may have everything from extracurricular activities and sports to study sessions and tutoring programs.
If you have difficulty finding a community center near you, check with your local library or school.
Also, search Google for “community centers near me” to find a list of places that offer local programs.
Is Starbucks a Good Place to Study?
There are numerous reasons to study at Starbucks if you want to minimize distractions and stay on topic.
Studying at coffee shops like Starbucks is shown to improve attention and mood.
In addition, this coffee shop offers numerous caffeinated drinks to maintain focus during long study sessions.
Starbucks is also relatively distraction-free if you don’t mind being around others.
They don’t use televisions or other distracting technology that can take away your focus.
However, some Starbucks enjoy playing music, and the seating capacity varies depending on the location.
As a result, you must determine whether the music and seating fit your study style.
Many people study at Starbucks and meet up for business discussions or casual conversations.
Therefore, the mood is usually casual and upbeat, which is excellent for people who enjoy a little ambiance.
What is the Best Study Room?
There is no one room that’s perfect for every study situation.
The best room to study in is the one that has minor distractions and provides adequate comfort for your study needs.
For instance, many people love to study in their bedrooms.
It’s a place that’s familiar, comfortable, and easy to relax.
However, it can also provide opportunities for distraction.
If you watch shows, play games, and frequently entertain yourself in your bedroom, it may be better to pick another room.
Another option is to cycle between rooms in the house based on your mood and attention level.
The most common rooms include the living room, bedroom, kitchen, study cove/home office, reading area, and basement.
Pick two or three areas in your house that provide minor distractions and offer a quiet place to study.
You can also create a quiet study area outside with seating and a table if you live with noisy friends or family.
Best Places to Study at Home:
- Living room
- Bedroom
- Kitchen
- Study cove
- Home office
- Reading area
- Quiet basement
- Outdoor seating area
Do People Study in Dunkin Donuts?
Studying at Dunkin Donuts is less common than at other establishments like mom-and-pop coffee shops or Starbucks.
However, it’s a suitable place to learn if there is proper seating and the atmosphere is beneficial for studying.
Most Donuts have a similar design.
Nevertheless, the seating, ambiance, and mood will vary depending on its location and customers.
As a result, you may want to try various locations to find one that serves your needs.
What are the Best Places to Study in College?
There are many beneficial places to study in college.
You can study in an empty classroom, campus library, coffee shop, dining hall, or college park/outside area.
You can also study in your dorm room if you have one.
However, you’ll want to ensure that it’s a beneficial place to study if you have a dorm mate.
Using noise-canceling headphones and listening to soothing lo-fi music may help if you’re studying in a slightly noisy area.
Best Places to Study in College:
- Empty classroom
- Campus coffee shop
- Campus library
- Dining Hall
- College Park/outside
Picking the Perfect Place to Study
Everyone is different, and the ideal location for someone else may not suit you.
Therefore, you shouldn’t fit your study sessions into an environment that doesn’t suit your learning style.
If you’re suited for places with ambient noise, pick a coffee shop, park, or bookstore to study.
However, choose a library, empty classroom, or tutoring center if you prefer a quieter location with resources.
As you can see, there are study locations to accommodate various needs and study atmospheres.
Ultimately the most suitable places to study are where you can concentrate best and get work done.
The Best Places To Study Include:
- Coffee Shop
- The Library
- The Bookstore
- A Tutor/Study Center
- An Empty Classroom
- The School/College Lounge
- The Park
- A Local Community Center
The previous list includes ambient and quiet places to study to give you various great study atmospheres.
Each location offers unique lighting, background noise, study environment, and amenities.
You can study in one location or mix it to suit your daily needs.
Finally, consider using Yelp.com to find places to study.
Yelp offers reviews, recommendations, and ratings from people that have tried different study-friendly locations.
As a result, you may find a few surprising places to study that you didn’t know existed near you.
Study Tips and Advice
Here are some tips and advice on maximizing your time to help you get the most out of your study sessions.
This section focuses on evaluating your options, creating a routine, and developing a study plan.
Altogether these strategies will improve your study habits and overall experience.
Evaluate Your Options
The first thing to do is sit down and list the places ideal for studying.
Be sure to include the travel distance, ambient noises, seating, and resources such as tutors or computers.
Also, consider potential distractions that can interfere with your focus and attention.
By determining the best places to study in advance, you’ll have a head start with your work.
Furthermore, you’ll have several distraction-free places to go when you need to concentrate.
Questions to Ask Yourself:
- What are the best places to study near me?
- Would I be easily distracted if I learned there?
- Is this environment too noisy or quiet?
- Does this environment inspire me to know?
- Would I be comfortable sitting in this area for extended periods?
- Are there resources nearby to help me with my studies? (tutors, computers, students, teachers)
Once you’ve gathered your list and identified each location’s pros and cons, eliminate the places that create the most distractions.
Do this until you’ve reduced your list to 3 – 5 places you like.
It makes it easier to pick a location and helps you develop better study habits by reducing analysis paralysis.
Lastly, try out each location for several days to see how it feels and decide whether it’s right for you.
Sometimes, you’ll realize a location isn’t ideal.
For example, although you love Starbucks, the ambiance can be loud, and the library setting works best.
In the end, having 2 – 3 locations you can study is a good idea.
As a result, you’ll be able to alternate between them as your mood changes.
You may not always be in the mood to go to the same place. Therefore multiple locations keep things fresh.
Create a Study Routine
Routines are a great way to warm up and get yourself to perform essential tasks, such as studying regularly.
Athletes warm up before practice, cooks prepare their ingredients before making food, and good study practitioners set the mood before studying.
The routine you come up with may differ from another person, but that’s o.k. Cater to your mood and mentality.
For example, you may pour a cup of coffee, put on comfortable clothing, and play ambient music before studying.
Alternatively, you could stretch, read a related article and adjust the lights to match your mood.
Whatever you choose, pick several routines and see which one works best to switch your brain into study mode.
Although you may not create the perfect routing the first time with practice, you can develop good study habits.
Ultimately, routines become unconscious once you’ve done them for a while, and your mind will gradually adapt.
As a result, getting into a study habit will take less effort once you’ve practiced regularly.
Set Up Your Study Rules and Follow Them
Rules aren’t always fun, but they exist to ensure you achieve the goals you’ve set out to accomplish.
If you cannot focus during study sessions, set up rules for what is and isn’t allowed during study time.
The more specific you can be with your rules, the better.
To set rules, write down the biggest distractions and limit their use or eliminate them.
In many cases, you’ll realize that you perform the same activities (playing games, texting, or watching t.v.) to distract yourself from studying.
To illustrate, if you’re always on your phone or playing games, remove them from view.
If that’s too complicated, set short time increments for studying. The aim is to build your focus over time to learn for longer sessions.
At the least, you should study for 30 minutes before taking a break. After that, you can give yourself a 5-minute break to use your phone or play a quick game.
With that said, beware of mentally draining distractions as they can make it difficult to refocus.
For instance, a thought-provoking show will stay in your mind while you try to study.
As a result, you’ll be split mentally between retaining study material and thinking about the show.
Therefore, you must keep distractions simple and limited to get the most out of your study sessions.
Fun Distraction to Participate in During Breaks
- Brain games
- Quick puzzles
- Fun mini-games
- Easy card games
- Short stories
- Coloring books
- Coffee breaks
Ultimately, these distractions keep your mind active without overstimulating your brain or reducing your long-term focus.
As a result, they are great for allowing you to have some fun without disturbing your mind during study sessions.
Importantly, stay away from anything that causes you to remain unfocused when your break time is over.
For instance, if you’re having an emotional conversation over text, it will continue to distract your mind during study time.
Therefore, you’ll want to avoid texting until you’ve finished your study session.
Lastly, research different study routines to find one that suits you best.
For example, Pomodoro study routines are popular among college students with long study sessions.
It simplifies study and rest periods into repeatable patterns that individuals can follow.
It also ensures that students retain information without burning out or becoming overly distracted.
Overall there are dozens of study routines and exercises to help students perform their best.
Rules to Incorporate Into Your Study Sessions Include:
- Always study at the same time and for a set amount of time (2 -4 hours per day)
- Always put the cellphone on silent during study sessions
- No (zero) video games during study time
- Don’t study in rooms that have any televisions
- Avoid music with vocals during study time
- Avoid loud locations or places where you can be interrupted during your study session
- Stay off the internet, except for the specific websites that provide information on your study topic.
Although these rules aren’t entertaining, they reduce distractions, leading to better study sessions and improved focus.