Studying for finals is a daunting task. Between gathering your thoughts, your notes and your morale to get the job done and to get it done well, stress compiles itself pretty quickly and can inhibit your motivation to relearn the things you forgot from the beginning of the semester. The environment that we study in can play a major role in how successful we are in our studies and our preparation for finals.
Studying in a stressful environment can lead to futile attempts at working toward that A we all strive for. Studying in an environment that is too lax can lead to ineffective studying in which nothing *really* gets done. Neither of these environments is conducive to effective studying, so here are some suggestions for the perfect studying spot on campus so you can ace those finals you've been working towards all semester long.
1. Kennedy Union.
At the University of Dayton, the student union goes by the name of Kennedy Union. In this building, there are three floors of all different atmospheres including the cozy and newly redecorated dining hall with large booths and cute lighting, the Galley and the Hangar with a bowling alley, pool tables and ice cream area along with couches and tables.
While these areas seem like they might be a distracting place to study, the atmosphere is usually decently quiet, especially during finals week, and they offer the perfect opportunity to take a quick break for a snack or a quick game of pool. But, if what you need is a quieter place to hit the books, the top floors of Kennedy Union have classrooms and smaller study spaces, like the seating area outside of Au Bon Pain, to dig into those study guides.
2. Serenity Pines (weather permitting).
Serenity Pines is a small, outdoor area on campus with a gorgeous tabletop fountain and beautiful stonework. Being surrounded by nature while listening to the calming sounds of running water in one of UD's best-hidden treasures is the perfect place to get into the right, stress-free mindset to tackle finals week.
3. The basement of St. Joeseph Hall.
Not many people know this, but in the basement of St.Joe's hall has a little-known gem. There is a small study space with a few tables and booths that create a cozy area to hit the books and to dig into those long-lost chapters you haven't thought about since the beginning of the semester. The basement also has a vending machine if you're feeling peckish during your study session.
4. The fishbowl.
The fishbowl is a medium sized room in Sherman Hall, which I didn't know was different from the Science center on campus until I looked at a campus map, but you learn something new every day. This room is surrounded almost entirely by windows from floor to ceiling and has super comfortable rolling chairs with built-in desks. This is the perfect spot to watch the sunset while studying while also staying conveniently close to Kennedy Union if you're in the need of a snack.
5. The Marianist study space.
This area is just above the bookstore on UD's campus and has so many desks, tables, and nooks and crannies that it is nearly impossible to not get work done here. Also, just like the fishbowl, the Marianist study space is located conveniently close to a recharge station because it's just a short walk to the floor below to grab a sandwich or a snack from the Emporium.
6. The lobby of Stuart Complex.
Going to the lobby of Stuart Complex, a freshman dorm and the only building at the top of the hill of UD's campus, may not seem like a great idea, but the booths, tables and fireplace that furnish the lobby make it worth the trek. Not to mention all of the perks of studying in Stuart.
Not only does Stuart Hall have Stu's landing, the best snack pit-stop on campus, it also has two vending machines, a foosball table and a ping-pong table to clear your head if you're feeling particularly stressed out or having a mental block while writing the plethora of final papers you almost certainly have.
7. The RecPlex.
Not many people know this, but the UD RecPlex opens 24 hours a day during finals week. Do yourself, and your mental and physical health, a favor and grab your books and make your way over to the Rec to study. Everyone knows that physical activity is one of the greatest stress relievers there is, so why not grab your notes and stake your claim on a bike or an elliptical machine and workout your body and mind at the same time.
And don't forget to say hi to your fellow Flyers working the rec, especially during those overnight shifts when you can't sleep because you're studying, and they can't sleep because, you know, they're working... As a RecPlex worker, it's amazing to see my peers working out and de-stressing during one of the worst weeks of the year!
8. NOT your bed!!!!!
I cannot stress this enough, people! Don't study in your bed!!! I learned in one of my psychology classes that our minds begin to associate activities with locations. When we study or work in our beds we are training our minds to be awake and aware in that space. So, When it comes time to actually go to sleep in our beds, our minds start to go into working mode, and then it becomes harder for us to fall asleep in our own beds. Which leads me to my next study spot suggestion.
9. Your desk (or kitchen table if you have a house or apartment).
This may seem a bit obvious, but hear me out. If you would prefer to stay in your dorm room, house or apartment to study then try your best to do all of your work at your desk or a table that is primarily dedicated to studying and working. This goes back to the mental association game that our brains play with us. Also, your desk is your space and your space alone.
When you study at the library you eventually have to pack up your books and relinquish your spot to some other student that's probably been waiting for hours for you to give up your perfect window seat with the ideal view of the city. When you're at your desk in your own dorm, no one is waiting to steal your seat, and you'll be certain that you'll have all of your essentials for studying. Lastly, it's just a short walk to your bed once exhaustion kicks in and you can't keep staring at the same pages for hours on end.
10. Study where you'll be productive and you'll make good choices.
We all know that finals week is hell week no matter what campus you're on. While you may be going through hell to get through exams and final papers, make sure you don't put your mental and physical health through hell as well. I can't stress enough how important your mental and physical health is and how much more important they are than an extra hour or two of studying and cramming.
Make sure to eat healthy meals and to eat enough throughout finals week. Along with that, make sure you take little breaks, eat a snack and talk with friends to give your brain a chance to let the material sink in. And, for God's sake, PLEASE get some decent sleep every night so your mind can recuperate from the constant battery of information it will be receiving until exams are over.
