The first place that may come to mind is your own room, whether that is at home or on campus. Even though this is a place that offers the most comfort, it could also be the most distracting. It is crucial to be aware of which environment fits just right in order to be able to improve your concentration and retention.
By finding the right spot to study, you can reduce distractions and avoid wasting time. Lucky for us students, Whittier College has several different, great locations that are fit for studying, comfort, and great concentration.
Wardman Library offers services from desktops, laptops you can borrow, printing stations, comfortable seating—all in an academic environment. In addition to this, the library is open until late at night.
The Quiet Floor: The top floor of the library is where anyone in the area is required to work in silence. This floor offers the peace, silence, and privacy that one needs to get work done. It also has some great views.
Library Study Rooms: These are great private rooms where studying in groups becomes productive, private, and efficient. Whiteboards and HD displays are available. By visiting the room reservation page, students are able to reserve rooms ahead of time. Rooms are located in mezzanine and second floor in the library. You can find more information about them at the circulation desk.
Watch Nicole Collins '23 inside look at Wardman Library as a study space.
The Center for Advising and Academic Success (CAAS) allows students to enter an educational environment after leaving the classroom. This location offers 20 PC computers and printing stations, and tutors often visit.
The 24-Hour Study Lounge is across from CAAS and offers a couple of PCs, large tables with seats, sofas, vending machines to buy snacks, and restrooms nearby. And obviously, it is open 24 hours a day.
The tables outside of Hoover, facing the library, are also a great location for studying. Personally, it is one of my favorite locations due to the fact that I have a view to other locations on campus like the North Lawn, the street, library, and part of Founders Hill. I enjoy sitting there when it’s usually sunny because it makes me feel fresh and the environment is calm, but not dead quiet.
From North Lawn to Founders Hill, to the Rock or Upper Quad, the College has a lot of grassy areas that are usually peaceful, and it is easy to concentrate. There are lawn chairs available along with the fresh grass and working by the trees makes your environment feel fresh.
Whether it’s day or night, you can look for empty classrooms in the Science and Learning Center and other educational buildings (Hoover, Deihl, Platner, etc.). These rooms are great for studying with friends or in bigger groups. In case a student is looking for a good study location, empty classrooms are always a good option.
The student lounge offers a social-study environment, with large booths, window seating, and tables. Students can also check out board games and Xbox video games as long as they have their student ID card. The lounge could serve as more of a social location, but if it’s easy for a student to concentrate there, then it could be fun.
To find the perfect studying location for you, you need to go out and explore your campus, or even off campus. Don’t limit yourself as to where to look. Get your work done in a location you feel the most comfortable in (think about the pros and cons). From experience, the locations I’ve mentioned above have worked the best for me, especially the 24-Hour Study Lounge during finals. The tasks feel less hectic when you are working in a comfortable environment.
Happy studying!
