As finals approach, I always find myself scrambling to find the perfect couch to spend the day finishing all my assignments and studying for exams. Where is your favorite place to study or get work done? At a library or somewhere else on campus? At your local coffee shop? at home?
Image source: Flickr, Study Session 2005.
Image source: Flickr, Study Session 2005.
I find that it's almost impossible to find a quiet spot to study on the downtown campus, be it at school or in a nearby cafe. Library seems to be the only noise-free place. Since I need absolute silence to concentrate, I have to study at home; luckily I don't live far. If anyone is brave enough to reveal his secret spot, I'd appreciate that!
I've tried like a million different places to study but any place I find tends to be too distracting...or maybe I just distract myself cause I hate studying. I've found that comfy and quiet spots are the best but oddly enough some of the places I get most of my studying done are busy and loud places like the construction site where I volunteer. Recently I've been using the office we set up at my house and it seems to the place I'm the most productive.
Personally, I can't study in a soundless area. Then I get distracted by every little noise around. Last year, when I lived in residence at Loyola, it was really easy to avoid quietness (mainly because of loud students also living in the residence) and I often found myself going to the Second Cup by the Loyola Campus. I also went to the Second Cup downtown (by Chapters) and I really enjoy the atmosphere. Loyola's Second Cup was great all day long while Downtown's SC was too loud during the day and quiet enough during the night. Little cafés do it better for me than the library's blue (and even orange) zone!
George Tsoukalas Engl 213
A study spot I really enjoy and find quiet is in the Engineering building on the 14th floor, I hardly ever use it anymore because I usually study near my house.
I think finding a good study spot on campus is quite hard. I usually need some silent background music to be able to study, so I can't really study in the library: it's either too silent and too cold, or too noisy and too cold. To my astonishment,however,I sometimes managed to study in the Java cafe located in the Hall building, even though the music was so loud I could hardly hear my own thoughts. Still, my favourite study spot remains my home sweet home.
My favourite place to study on the Concordia campus is on the seventh floor of Hall building downtown. It's full of couches and coffee tables and there are many plugs for laptops. I cannot study in total silence, so the constant buzz of talking students helps me concentrate. The couches are also comfortable enough to doze off on once in awhile...
When I am not on campus, I enjoy studying with friends in coffee shops. I particularly like Starbucks (the one on Saint-Denis) because there are many seats available and the atmosphere is soothing yet motivating.
I hate studyiing at home because there are way too many distractions (Internet, TV, or even my bed - naps are very tempting, especially when studying for midterms) and I am more likely to procrastinate.
Whenever I'm at the downtown Concordia campus I do all my studying in the EV building. I don't think many people know this, but there are good, relatively quiet spots every 3rd floor (starting at the 5th) on the west side of the building. They consist of one long piknic-style table, and 4 couch seats. Outside of exam periods there'll often only be one or two people there. It gets a bit busier during exam period, but since there are 4 of those areas you're bound to find a spot.
During exam periods it is pretty much impossible to find a spot on campus... so home would be my choice at that time.
As far as spots with silence as noise go though, during summer the vieux port and the Lachine canal are pretty nice spots to read without being disturbed by pretty much anyone. Getting to a good spot might be difficult without skates or a bicycle though. In winter if I am not home, there are many spots that are perpetually dead in the southern part of the underground city.
I personally enjoy studying at home. I have my nice big table where I lay out all of my assignments to complete or study for the day. I am the type of person where I cannot just sit on a chair in front of a table all day. Sometimes, I like to sit on my couch and do some reading or studying in a more comfortable area. Also, I have the comfort of having my kitchen right there whenever I need a coffee or a little snack. Living alone, I mean only with my husband, has quite the advantages. He is very supportive and also studies while I am studying. I truly enjoy my home because everything is so close and easily accessible for example, the washrooms, a couch, a balcony, and the kitchen. Don't forget that you can actually study all day in the luxury of your bath robe and fluffy slippers. However, occasionally I do like to change up my scenario and go downtown to the John Molson School of Business. It is an absolute beautiful campus and has awesome study rooms. I hate being confined to a little cubicle or 4 walls. I enjoy taking one or two other friends and taking a room at that campus. The room is quite spacious and has a glass wall. This wall prevents me from feeling confined and trapped in a quiet study hall. Also you have Tim Horton’s and the washrooms right around the corner. Mostly, I enjoy the most studying in my own home relaxed and comfortable environment.
Personally, I like to study by myself. I am not a big fan of team study which is why I prefer to study at home. If I need a book, I simply borrow it at the library and bring it home. I especially like to study in my bed. I am comfortable and relax which is a perfect state of mind to focus on my studies. When I have no choice because the book can't be borrowed, I like to study to La Bibliothèque Nationale at Berri-Uqam because all the books are there and it is very quiet as well. The staff is very helpful and respectful.
Somehow I am more focused at home, a cup of tea, a book, a computer, and noone is around, that is the perfect moement to study for me.