Finding Your Study Spot

In college, it’s especially important to find the best place for you to do your work in the most efficient and least hair-pulling way. First, you have to figure out whether or not you’re a home body, or the outside world is your best friend. If you can do your work all snuggled up in bed, more power to you (and I’m jealous); but for a lot of people, it’s important to have a little bit of a change of scenery. These people have a variety of options to find the perfect study space. Some thrive in the quiet, dusty, book-filled halls of a hard-working library like the Law Library or the Graduate Library. Others enjoy a room full of people sitting side-by-side all working in quiet solitude like the Ref Room. These people like the almost-company a room like this can provide, but still need quiet to focus. Others, still, prefer the muffled conversations of the UGLI where group projects flourish and watching television is only barely frowned upon. I, on the other hand, prefer to do my work in the half-quiet, cozy coffee shop.

Not just any coffee shop will do, though. Personally, I require a shop with the opportunity for a view outside and natural light, but not so much that I get distracted and want to leave. The shop has to be warm, and I don’t mean temperature wise. There needs to be something that’s inviting—something that makes me want to venture out into the frozen tundra and do my work even when I don’t want to. It also needs to have a combination of seating for me to choose from. Some days I want to settle into the worn-in cushions of an oversized chair, but other days I need a table, a wall plug, and a firm seat to keep me up and focused.

Then comes what I consider to be the most important part of a good coffee shop: good music. When choosing your coffee shop, the musical choices of the hipster baristas filling your coffee or tea orders can make or break your work-flow. The music should probably be something subdued and perhaps a little soulful, but not so much that it’s like a lullaby. It can’t be too loud, and if the words are too inhibiting, or the unhappy calls of a dying whale start to invade the calm flow of your indie-folk, it’s time to find a new shop. At least until a new barista takes control of the audio selections.

Now I know what you’re thinking. “Doesn’t your study space change based on where you are, how much time you have, and what work you’re doing?” Well, yes. That’s very true. That’s why it’s important to find what works best for you and have a variety of options available to you. Ann Arbor is a very special place because there is never a shortage of good study locations for you to choose from. And remember, studying and homework are not the most important things in the world. A good balance can be just as important as a good study spot, so make sure you’re working hard, but make sure you’re also doing all of those other things you love to do, too. Do your homework, write your papers, and study for midterms. Then, say hi to your friends, take a dance class, go on a walk, see a movie, and play laser tag. You’ll feel better and your balanced brain and body will thank you!

Good luck on midterms everyone! I hope you all get lots of As!