Knowing Where to Study

It is extremely important for an individual to identify what material he or she should study when preparing for an exam or interview and which methods will be most effective for studying that material. However, it is equally important, if not more important, to find a location where the individual can study effectively. In other words, it is not just a question of knowing what material to study and how to study that material, but also where you can study that material without being distracted. For example, a crowded bar with a band playing and a large number of fans screaming in the background is probably not the best place to study for a big exam. On the other hand, a quiet corner of a library, an empty table in a quiet late-night café, or a quiet dorm room with a closed door can all be effective locations to prepare for a big exam. As one might note from all of these examples, the key factor that an individual should look for in an adequate study location is a lack of noise. In fact, studies indicate that students that study in quiet locations will usually retain more of the information that they study and ultimately perform better than individuals that are studying in loud or distracting areas.

Some of the other factors that an individual should take into consideration when attempting to find a suitable place to study include the availability of the location, potential distractions, the space and study materials available at the location, and ultimately whether or not the location is a comfortable place to study. The availability of the location is important because a location that closes early or is not open on the particular day that the individual needs to study is not going to help the individual prepare for a big exam. This is especially true for individuals that have waited until the last minute and are attempting to cram for the exam the night before. Potential distractions such as cell phones, children, fraternity brothers, roommates, TVs, video games, and other similar distractions will only cause the individual to stop studying and take care of or enjoy the distractions, so it is important to minimize distractions as much as possible. Finally, if the location is uncomfortable, does not offer the individual enough space to easily work in, or does not allow the individual to use all of the materials that he or she needs, then the location is probably not suitable for studying.