Studying is paramount in achieving one’s maximum potential. However, it’s not really as simple as just reading a textbook. As someone who cannot focus at home, usually because I find myself studying in bed, it’s important to find a place that works best for you. Studying in a new location can often force you to focus by minimizing distractions and adding more stakes, meaning if you don’t study or leave early, then you feel as though you wasted the trip. Therefore, when taking into consideration the benefits of studying away from home, it’s important to know which places work best for you and aren’t too far.
Forest Hills Foods Starbucks
My personal favorite study spot is definitely the Starbucks in Forest Hills Foods. While there’s a Starbucks closer to my house, I still choose the one at Forest Hills Foods over it every time. Forest Hills Foods provides not only coffee but also other, more affordable options to consume when studying, which I personally love. This Starbucks in particular is also much larger than a regular Starbucks, allowing for more distance between other patrons and a more isolated atmosphere. There are also a variety of seating options, most notably multiple comfortable booths with many outlets to plug in computers and other studying devices. Overall, this Starbucks is uniquely isolated and provides a variety of personal preferences that make studying something to look forward to.
Kent District Library
Not only do libraries provide a quiet atmosphere, but Kent District Library in particular provides individuals with study rooms that patrons can reserve for free for up to three hours. These rooms are great for studying individually, but especially are group study sessions where groups can speak freely without the risk of disrupting other peers. Whiteboards are also provided, which makes planning out tasks and visual learning an easily attainable task. While everything else about these rooms is great, the reservation process is a significant downside. Rooms can be reserved online, which makes it both easy and efficient; however, these rooms are often booked, making it hard to make last-minute study plans. This could also work in the student’s favor, though, as personally reserving a room makes backing out of studying plans very difficult.
D&W Starbucks
Similar to the Forest Hills Foods Starbucks, the one within D&W is rather unknown, making it a quiet place to work with a lower chance of running into fellow peers. This area is also large, allowing a variety of seating options alongside large tables for group projects. The only downside to this seating is the lack of booths in favor of slightly uncomfortable wooden chairs, which can make it hard to focus. However, just like the one within Forest Hills Foods, since it’s located in a store, students are provided with many more options of study snacks other than just Starbucks.
While studying can be tiring, the location in which you do it can change everything. As someone who used to struggle to avoid distractions while studying, whenever I leave my house is when I get the most work done. Once I’ve turned my studying trips into an adventure, I’ve started looking forward to it as it means leaving my house and most likely getting a little sweet treat too. Whether that location works as an incentive or a comfortable area, it can change your whole perspective on studying.
