One of the best ways to ease your anxiety about finals is to find a good place to sit down and study. For some students, the best place is in their own room. However, if you have difficulty concentrating at home, there are always local libraries, restaurants and parks.
One of my favorite places to study is Arcadia Library. The library provides a wireless network for personal Wi-Fi devices and even offers free online tutoring services for all ages. There are many comfortable places for students to work without distractions.
My favorite place for studying is at the tables in the reference center, which are located in the left corner of the library next to the information desk. You can also request a private study room in the back of the library.
However, the downside of studying at the library is that food and drinks are prohibited from computer workstations and many other areas, which isn’t convenient if you’re planning to study for a long time. If you are planning to study non-stop, make sure you take a break every two hours to give your brain a rest.
Cafés and restaurants also serve as great alternatives. Most shops offer free Wi-Fi but the biggest perk is probably being able to enjoy a muffin or a warm cup of coffee while studying. One of my favorite places to study is Q Yogurt, which is located inside the Food Court in President Square. There are many tables and all are very clean. Also, almost everything is under $4 and the manager is super friendly and welcoming.
Another place to study is Boba Express. There are usually not many people hanging around so you won’t be disturbed. They also have two small tables outside for people who prefer to work outdoors. On the downside, holding a study session in a café or a restaurant can be distracting for some people. All it takes is one annoyingly loud conversation and you’ll forget all about the papers in front of you.
If you find yourself suffering from a vitamin D deficiency due to staying indoors and studying all day, you might want to consider bringing your books to the park. Located near dozens of restaurants and café shops, Arcadia County Park is one of the best places for a study session.
The park is huge and there are many tables available, which means that you can definitely find a perfect spot to study. If you ever feel like you need a break to relax, you can always take a walk. However, you might want to watch out for those random gusts of wind that can leave you chasing after your papers.
If all else fails, you can always organize your own study space in your house. Keep a dictionary and a thesaurus near your work space and make sure you have access to an outlet. Good lighting is also essential for a good study space so you may want to get a desk lamp or a floor lamp. Also, keeping a bulletin board in your study space is very handy. You can stick little reminders of due dates and test dates for yourself.
Take time to prepare and organize a schedule. A tip for staying focused is to create a study schedule with a checklist and a time chart. To make sure you stick to that schedule, consider finding a study partner.
Having a study partner can be mutually beneficial because study partners can motivate each other and reduce procrastination. Don’t forget to get at least eight hours of sleep so you can wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take your final.