The best (and worst) study spaces

Well, it’s holidays now so I reckon it's time for a lighter post.

Conveniently, school is also out of bounds for the next two weeks which means that now is the time we start to get creative with our study spaces.

No, this isn’t going to be a blog on interior design - I’m 99% sure that hanging fairy lights over your desk or using copper pen holders from Kmart aren’t going to help your ATAR.

Instead, we’re going to rate the top choices for study spaces, weighing up the pros and cons and giving some expert tips on how to make the most of each one. Ready?

Let’s go.

Public Libraries

If there’s one thing that will bring you back to a public library after years of forgetting it existed, it’s the HSC.

Pros

• Quiet and serious atmosphere.
• All your study needs - desk, chair, laptop charger - will be catered to.
• Intense fluorescent lighting.
• You feel less depressed when you see all the other year 12 kids suffering along with you.
• Incredible people-watching opportunities.
• A great way to enforce effective study time and then you can go home and relax!

Cons

• Not all public libraries have a ton of space for study so choose wisely...

Tips

• Try out the State Library: you have to check your bag into a locker before you go in so it feels super serious.
• Also check out a uni library because there’s nothing more fun than caffeined-up uni students who get weirdly territorial over library spots.

Rating: 9/10 🎉

Your place

No place like home, right? Well sort of… Home is great for a lot of things but you’re going to have to work a bit harder here to nail down the perfect study space.

Pros

• You have everything you need right there. Yay.
• You can control your study space.
• Your parents will be on your back 24/7 to make sure you aren’t facebooking.
• The fridge… enough said!

Cons

• It can be hard to get into a serious study mindset at home.
• Literally all your things are right there so plenty of distractions!
• Much harder to separate solid study from rest of your life.
• Impromptu naps. Very dangerous.
• The fridge...

Tips

• Study somewhere you don’t hang out too much like a study or the kitchen table.
• Declutter your study area.
• Be a moth: seek out bright or natural lighting.
• Set yourself lots of mini deadlines to make sure you’re actually getting work done.

Rating: 8/10 👍

Your friend’s place

So you have to study AND you want to see your friend? ¡Por qué no los dos! Seriously though, this one has its perks but probably shouldn’t be your go-to choice.

Pros

• There’s someone to keep you on task
• Less distractions in an unfamiliar environment.
• Automatic study-buddy.
• You still have more control over the space here than in public.

Cons

• Friends can be pretty distracting.
• Your friend might have a cool mum (not a regular mum) who interrupts you a lot.
• Hard to be consistent, you can’t always just walk into your mates house and set up. Not all our lives are like Friends.

Tips

• Get a good structure going where you have total silence for 30 minutes then chat for 5 and repeat.
• Pick a smart friend or one with good food in their house.
• Hit up this study space when you’re in a rut with your usual spot.

Rating: 7/10 👌

Coffee shops or really, anywhere else

Look, this is expert level stuff. If you’re choosing to study in a coffee shop, park, beach or anywhere ‘cool’ then we can 100% guarantee that the setup will make quality studying pretty much impossible.

Pros

• Makes for a great Instagram shot?

Cons

• Noisy.
• Uncomfortable.
• Bad lighting (beach = too bright, coffee house = too dim).
• Makes you desperately wish you weren’t studying.
• Low chance of power outlets for your laptop.
• High chance of crying babies.

Tips

• Don’t do it. Seriously, just study somewhere legit and then go to the beach.

Rating: 0/10. 👎

So there you go.

A very serious, completely definitive guide to the perfect study space. You’re welcome!