Studying can be a hard thing to do. Everyone needs certain conditions, such as specific things to help them focus and a certain environment. After being on campus for a year, I have tried different places study and found four buildings that I think have the best study spots.

I enjoy studying in the Erb Memorial Union, McKenzie Hall, The Knight Library, and Lillis Business Complex.

1. EMU Taylor Lounge

My favorite room to study in is the Taylor Lounge, also known as the Piano Room. There are benches by the windows, multiple couches, and chairs to sit in and study. It is close to the Fish Bowl, so you can grab food or Starbucks while you study, but it remains relatively quiet.

However, people are also paid to play the piano. Personally, I find it relaxing. I enjoy having some background noise when I study.

2. EMU Third Floor

If you need a quieter place in the EMU, the third floor has window benches with tables. There are only four and people take the spots quickly, but they are a quiet and peaceful place to do work.

The windows are large and give a lot of natural light. They are a great place to watch the world, as well as study. I wrote and studied for multiple finals there last year.

3. McKenzie Hall

On the first floor of McKenzie Hall, there are multiple tables set up. It can get noisy when classes end and people pass through, but it is easy to time that. There is enough room, so you could study with friends, and it is open enough that you could have a quiet conversation.

McKenzie is also close to the Dad’s Gate Bus Station, so if you need a quick getaway after studying, it is convenient.

4. Knight Library

If you need to do a group project, cram study session, or just like to have a conversation while you study but do not want to interrupt other people, the third-floor library study rooms are very handy.

While some of them need to be reserved, you can find an empty one to use until someone kicks you out. They are private but allow for noisier studying, which is often helpful.

5. Lillis Cafe

On the ground floor of Lillis, there is a café that serves coffee and snacks and has couches and tables. It is noisier, but also a more secluded and comfortable place to study. While the EMU also has food, it has more people. At Lillis, there are often fewer people. If you study with friends, you can feel free to talk, but if you study alone you can pop in some headphones with music and study away in comfort.

*Do Not Recommend*

It definitely depends on the person, but I recommend not studying in your room, especially on your bed. There is too much temptation to take a nap or relax because that is what bedrooms are often for. If you do like to study in a bedroom, find a desk or table and hide distractions.

Turn off Netflix and put away Instagram and Snapchat. I have made the mistake of studying on my bed and falling asleep on my textbook or in the middle of an essay.

The U of O campus is very large and there a multitude of places to study, but these are my favorite so far, and I like that they are located in different locations. Lillis is near most of the typical lecture halls, the EMU is in the middle of campus and has lots of resources, the Library is the library, and McKenzie Hall is near the bus stop.

Finding what environment you need to study is the most important part of being successful at studying.