Study spots ranked

The hardest part of studying is finding yourself the right spot to start.

Every semester starts the same way.

You tell yourself that this is the semester you’ll stay ahead of your readings. At first, you’ll use the gaps between classes productively. You’ll see yourself become one of those mysterious students who somehow have managed enough time to maintain colour-coded notes and know exactly when assignments are due without checking the critical path.

Then, suddenly, it’s already week six!

So, in the interest of academic excellence, I spent some time ranking study spots based on one very scientific metric: How likely are you to actually study there?

Random empty classroom

GIF of a character looking around an empty room. — *Via GIPHY*

Likelihood of studying: 5/10

At first, it feels like you’ve discovered a secret productivity trick.

An entire classroom to yourself. Noise-free. Lots of desk space. What could possibly go wrong?

And then one of two things happens:

You realize you’re alone and immediately start scrolling through TikTok.
A class arrives twenty minutes later and politely kicks you out.

But if you are, in reality, the strongest soldier in the history of studying, and no one comes along to disturb you, you may actually end up finishing a few slides!

The ultimate 50/50.

The courtyard tables

Image of Lakeshore courtyard. — *Picture by IGNITE*

Likelihood of studying: 6/10

The courtyard is the campus equivalent of sitting outside at a café without paying café prices.

There’s fresh air and sunshine.

Unfortunately, there are also approximately seventeen other things happening around you at any given moment.

Someone is eating lunch. Someone is filming a reel. And the sun beats down on you with purpose as you have personally offended it.

You will study, just not continuously. And with an overheated laptop.

The gym

GIF of Elmo lifting dumbbells. — *Via GIPHY*

Likelihood of studying: 2/10

Look, I respect the optimism.

You walked into the gym, telling yourself you’d do thirty minutes on the treadmill while reviewing lecture slides as seen in coming-of-age movies.

Instead, you’re spending more time choosing a playlist than reviewing course content.

Even if you do bring your notes, the person deadlifting beside you is somehow more distracting than your phone.

You may leave with stronger legs. Your assignment, however, remains unopened.

A bench by the lake

Image of Sharfaa standing by the lake. — *Image by Sharfa*a *Zaib*

Likelihood of studying: 7/10

This spot is beautiful. Almost too beautiful.

You sit down with every intention of finishing a discussion post and get that five percent added to your grade, but five minutes later you’re staring at the water contemplating life, your future career and whether the ducks have less stress than you do.

The productivity is surprisingly decent, and you can finish strong, assuming you don’t accidentally spend forty minutes contemplating what you are doing in life.

The F Building study area

Image of F Building study space. — *Image by Sharfaa* *Zaib*

Likelihood of studying: 8/10

This is the overachiever’s natural habitat.

Something about the F Building study area makes you want to get your life together. Maybe it’s the atmosphere. It makes you feel like you have to type away furiously.

You came here to study. You usually end up studying.

Simple and effective.

The study space at L Commons

Image of Humber L commons Library area. — *Picture by IGNITE*

Likelihood of studying: 10/10

I know.

Putting the library at the top isn’t exactly groundbreaking journalism. But there’s a reason it has survived every semester.

There are desks and outlets, and other students look significantly more prepared than you, which somehow motivates you to keep going.

Will it help you finish the assignment you’ve been avoiding for three weeks? Definitely!

Honourable mention: your bed

GIF of a character flipping into bed. — *Via GIPHY*

Likelihood of studying: 0/10

You already know why.

If you are one of those students who are negotiating with yourselves, trying to convince your brain that you can study just as well in your bed, it’s not happening.

The assignment can wait. The nap cannot.

Final verdict

GIF saying, "That's all folks!" — *Via GIPHY*

So there you have it!

Whether it’s the library or a spot only you of, the goal is the same: get the work done so you can enjoy stuff when you’re not studying.

After all, finding the perfect study spot is a lot easier than finding the motivation to start the assignment.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to spend twenty minutes deciding where to study before actually doing it.

Feature image courtesy of IGNITE

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