It is Sunday night, the day before exam week starts, and junior Austin Claris is trying to study for his Chemistry final in his room, but, with distractions all around him, he finds studying to be impossible.

Like Claris, many have trouble finding their perfect place to concentrate on studying. With exams week here, students struggle to brainstorm local sites where they are able to study peacefully.  Knowing one’s right place to sit down and fully focus can be hard, but once found, finals week will become less stressful and studying will come naturally.

Here is a guide on how to find your ideal place to study, based on your preferences and interests, in order to reduce your crying during exam week.

PUBLIC LIBRARIES

For some students, libraries might seem boring and quiet, causing them to be perfect for zoning out instead of studying. However, those who are looking for a place full of amenities, a local, public library is the right place. Libraries offer free services such as printers, computers and tablets for students to use. The library also lends out digital and video cameras as well as calculators that students might need during finals week projects.

For students like sophomore Nick Todaro, who like to move around while studying, the library is the ideal site. Libraries like Seminole County Public Library contain a fitting blend of quiet spaces, each one with a different environment. For Todaro, moving places helps him focus on studying and not zone out.

“The library is great for studying because you can go to different spots if you get bored.” Todaro said. “Staying in one place after for awhile will cause me to get distracted and turn to my phone, so studying in the library prevents me from doing this.”  

LOCAL BOOKSTORES

For students like Claris who are not near libraries, places such Barnes & Nobles can be the appropriate site for studying. Even though bookstores do not provide the same services that libraries do, they do have a more social and in some ways a more “fun” environment. Bookstores also provide books which are useful for people to use as a review while studying or as an alternative to Google.  However, what makes bookstores the right place for some students is their in-store cafe. Big bookstores such as Barnes & Nobles offer a Starbucks, which is an advantage for students like Claris who need brain-food while studying.

“I can’t have a study session without having some food for me to eat while I study,” Claris said. “My friends and I usually go to Barnes & Nobles, it’s the only place I can really just focus on studying and nothing else.”

FOOD PLACES

For those students who concentrate better with people around them and feel more pleasant having ambient noise, food places might be the right place to study. Khari Colter takes advantage of the free wifi provided at places such as Panera or Starbucks, and does most of their exam studying there. Such sites are also suitable for reviewing with a group of friends since infrequent chatting will not be a problem. Students also favor small business such as Panera because of the usual music played, which relaxes Colter and helps reduce stress and concentrate better, especially during finals week.

“Panera is a great place to go to if you have a study group,” Colter said. “My friends and I talk while studying and [Panera] is the only place we can study without someone telling us we’re too loud.”

A CLASSROOM OR TUTORING CENTER

While studying for finals, it is common for students to run into some questions regarding the material being learned, for those with have last-minute questions, studying in a teacher’s classroom or going to a tutoring center is the favored option. Sophomore Jacq’lene Rosu tends to study for classes such as math and Chemistry in the teacher’s room. Since these two classes are challenging for her, she finds time to do assigned reviews with the help of teachers. By doing this, memorizing concepts and studying comes more naturally.

“For me, studying in the same class I’m taking the test in really helps with memorization,” Rosu said. “My brain associates that classroom with what I’m studying so when it’s time to take the test, I don’t have to struggle with remembering the material.”

For some, finding places to study is the easy part; maintaining your focus while studying is tougher. For students who are afraid of their teachers or do not feel comfortable studying in an empty classroom, tutoring centers will be helpful. Even though tutors do cost money, they will help you focus and will answer any questions you come up with, making it possible for you to study efficiently.

Once the right place to study has been found, reviewing and passing finals will not be a problem.

“Finding the right place that suits your personality and likings while studying is hard, but once found, studying will turn into a pastime,” Colter said.

WHERE CAN I STUDY?

Panera

• Address: 205 E Mitchell Hammock Rd.
• Hours: Mondays-Saturdays 6:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
  Favored by those who do not mind ambient noises
• Services provided:
  Free wifi access
  Food service, drinks ranging from $2–$5 and food ranging from $4–$15

Starbucks

• Address: 305 Mitchell Hammock Road.
• Hours: Mondays-Saturdays 5:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.
  Favored by those who need brain-food to study
• Services provided:
  Free wifi access
  Coffee shop ranging from $2–$6
  Pastry ranging from $2–$5

Barnes & Nobles

• Address: 1260 Oviedo Marketplace Blvd.
• Hours: Mondays-Saturdays 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
  Favored by those who prefer a social but quiet environment
• Services provided:
  Cafe offering drinks and pastries ranging from $2–$5
  New books including most AP and core subjects review books
  Free wifi access

Seminole County Public Library

• Address: 310 N Division St. Oviedo, FL 32765
• Hours: Mondays-Saturdays 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
  Favored by those who like a quiet environment
• Services provided:
  Free but limited computer access
  Variety of books for every subject
  Printer
  Tablets available