By Melanie Lombardo
Being a Penn State student for four years has taught me that your study environment affects the quality of your work. The amount of energy you put into your work is how much you will get out of it. For some people, studying is like second nature. A study session or two is all they need to ace their exam or quiz. For others, it could take hours over multiple days to understand all the content. The list I have compiled from my past few years of experience is for any type of student out there.
Your Own Building
Now, I would highly advise you to not study in your room. That is where roommate distractions come in, telling yourself you are going to clean that one mess before you start studying, or you decide you are going to scour your fridge for a “quick” snack, but end up wandering around for 10 minutes. Personally, when I try to study in my room, I always walk into my roommates’ rooms to talk or I convince myself my pets need some playtime.
When I say “your building,” this includes the many study rooms that dorms and apartment buildings offer. Since these rooms are not far from you at all, the walking distance and weather can not be an excuse. If you need something, it is a quick walk back to your room. I suggest packing snacks for the longer sessions so you don’t even have to walk back to your room. Many study rooms provide printers and small group study areas. I know the study room in my building is very calming and it has been my go-to study spot throughout my semesters here. Also, watching other people work motivates me to do my own.
The Library
The library is a classic study spot for every Penn State Student! You can never go wrong with Starbucks and The Stacks. There are so many different rooms and environments in the library for the type of student or learner you are. I know when I am working on an assignment, I like a little background noise so the lounge and eating area near Starbucks is perfect for that. It is also perfect for working in groups because you are welcome to openly talk. If you need to switch to a more silent area, the Harry Potter Room and The Stacks are perfect for you. You will be able to focus for hours because no one makes a peep.
There are also two sets of Commons with group study rooms that you can reserve to work on projects and have group meetings in. There are also computer labs located throughout the library, one being in the same room as one of the Commons. These rooms also include whiteboards. I am in the library for most of my study sessions since it is in between my two classes on Mondays and Wednesdays. I also make use of the group study rooms for my weekly Gardners Candies meetings!
New Willard
The Willard Media Center is great for a change of scenery. Since it is a media center, there are usually a lot of other communications students there using the space. It is located in the center of campus, so it is easy to get to other buildings before or after your study session. It is also a quick walk from downtown or the HUB in case you want to grab some food, but do not want the hustle and bustle of the HUB or downtown to bother your session. The architecture there is impressive and they feature giant stairs, similar to the High School Musical stairs in the HUB. They are a perfect place to sit back and relax while typing out an assignment. Additionally, some of your professors’ offices may be in the area, so it is easy to go and ask a question if needed.
Downtown
Downtown State College is right across from campus, on the opposite side of College Ave. There are a plethora of study spots downtown. If you are looking for chill, indie coffee shop vibes, then Webster’s is the perfect place for you. They have a small coffee shop and a vast amount of books. It is perfect to cozy up between the shelves with a book. Their iced mocha is one of my favorites.
If you are looking for something more crowded, there are also two Starbucks locations downtown. One is located on Beaver Ave and the other is on the opposite side of downtown on College Ave. Along those lines, there is also Irving’s. They have some of the best smoothies and bagels State College has to offer, which will help aid your study session. I highly recommend their lox on an everything bagel and the Joe Papaya smoothie!
It Is All Up to You
While your environment is definitely a huge factor in your success in a study session, it is also up to your own discipline. If you find yourself still struggling even in the best location, try some new study tactics! It really is trial and error, because every person is different. Whether it’s your own building, the classic library, New Willard, or downtown, Penn State has a place for you.
Happy Valley Comm 