best studying? home or library?

[ultane123]

i find that i'm sometimes most productive at my own apartment. i live by myself in a quiet neighborhood, have access to food and bathroom whenever i need it. i just turn off my phone and crank it out.

my friends swear they get nothing done at home and always go to the library.

what do you guys do?

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[MadameLULU]

I do most of my studying at home, but closer to exams I have to switch it up b/c I just can't concentrate at home. I go to coffee shops, school library, school study room, friends' homes, et cetera. My advice: find a place where you can concentrate for at least 2-3 hours and if you get distracted find another location. You can also ask MSIIs where they study and i'm sure they will let you know you of a variety of good spots.

 

[sentrosi]

I prefer not to study with others or in random places. So yes, my room is my best place to study...when I actually study. 😀

 

[omgwtfbbq?]

I used to never get anything done at home. I thought that I couldn't. Then I got a dog, and wanted to be around my dog, so I started studying at home, and realized that I can get a lot done around the house, I don't have to pay for coffee, pack up my stuff to go to the bathroom, or anything like that.
Although, I do enjoy going to Borders bookstore and Barnes and Noble more than is probably healthy. I used to always study there... but now I realize i wasn't really studying, I was usually sitting in the fiction section reading a bunch of books 🙂

 

[tea4me]

I can't for the life of me study at home because there are too many distractions - bed, TV, bed, roommates, internet, bed, etc. I find that I get the best work done at either a coffeeshop with earplugs (to dampen loud music or conversations) or at the library. But try different places the first couple of weeks of school, you might find that places that used to work well for you during undergrad aren't as good for med school studying.

 

[Sean2tall]

Totally depends on the person, I think. I have heard the same thing - some people can't study at home, some people do it a lot. I personally studied at home all the time, for a couple of reasons:

1) Don't feel like I'm "on display" - You can study lying down, in your sweatpants, walk around in circles, whatever. I consider studying in the library more of a social thing, where I am always checking to see who just arrived, who's leaving, etc.
2) You can have all of your possible study aids without having to worry about carrying them anywhere.
3) Frequent breaks to goof around online, get a drink (which are cheaper too!) - Some people would say this is the reason why they can't stay at home, of course.
4) I ended up searching for things online frequently - just look up a word in a dict. or wikipedia real quick without having to worry about whether a place has wireless etc.

 

[SanDiegoSOD]

I would study at the library, but then it's hard to take my every-30-minute masterbation breaks, so I always study at home.


I kid... I find that home is preferable because I ride a motorcycle and it sucks to lug all my gear around the library. However, the occasional trip to the library can be a nice way to mix up a boring study routine. Ah yes - nothing like the library to add excitement to your life. 🙂

 

[angietron3000]

Ah yes - nothing like the library to add excitement to your life. 🙂

I get so bored at the library I need a little distraction. I usually have to get up and go for a short walk or something every hour or so, so I don't fall asleep!

 

[MossPoh]

As an undergrad student still it really depends on the type of work. I find by isolating distractions I do much better. No t.v. in the room, if I MUST use the computer turn off aim, sometimes even the internet.....if it is just books and standard test studying I require a big table to spread my stuff out and keep organized..I kind of like a boomy place where I can't really hear specific conversations...I have the tendency to start listening in for whatever reason. Coffee shops in the back corner if they have a nice comfy chair are great for mass amounts of reading...helps if they don't have speakers blasting mediochre music everywhere.

 

[angel80]

I always used to study best at cofeeshops. I'm pretty good at drowning out outside noise, and the atmosphere of the coffeeshop helps me to stay awake.

 

[DNAroolez]

ok, i know i'm a crazy freak, but i love the library! i like to pack up all my stuff and pick a nice big table in a big stack of books and unpack everything on my table. i usually have everything possible with me- chapstick, tissues, color coded notecards and post its- all over the table. then i settle in, and buckle down. i usually take a break every hour or so to just listen to music or walk around. i like to study at home too sometimes, but i feel just as at home in between the stacks....
when i do study at home, i have to clear off my entire desk and make my environment as library like as possible.
(told you i'm crazy!)

 

[RaaMD]

I prefer studying at the library. It helps me to stay clear of a lot of distractions I find at home like the tv especially. Plus, it's good to be around people in study mode as well.

 

[psipsina]

I'm about to start med school, but as an undergrad I preferred studying at home. I really like to take my breaks with my husband or my kitties which I feel pulls me out of my academia more than a break with fellow stressin students. I'm also a big fan of studying in my PJs, lol. I tend to talk to myself to get around challenging concepts and to push facts that aren't sticking into my head, and I don't think that would work too well in a library situation. As an undergrad my husband and I had a pretty small apartment, with only a kitchen, bath, livinrm and bedrm, . . . so I studied alot in either a room with a tv or a room with a bed, either of which is a bad idea. Luckily for medschool we found a place with a room that is my study so I have eliminated the major flaws of my study at home situation. Also during our Katrina evacuation my husband had a brief stint as a Starbucks employee and now knows how to make all my fav drinks so I have the best of both worlds!

 

[OSUdoc08]

i find that i'm sometimes most productive at my own apartment. i live by myself in a quiet neighborhood, have access to food and bathroom whenever i need it. i just turn off my phone and crank it out.

my friends swear they get nothing done at home and always go to the library.

what do you guys do?

Sports bar.

If it's too quiet, I sleep. Plus I never miss a game.

Unlimited refills of non-alcoholic beverages and chips and salsa all day while you study.

 

[MasterShake]

I really can't study in one place for extended periods of time, so I usually move around. For example, after class go over to study at the student center, lose motivation, head to the library for an hour or two, lose motivation, move over to a coffee shop for an hour or two, lose motivation, work out/ socialize, begin to think I'm slacking, head home and try to put an few hours in before going to sleep. That would be a good day - sometimes it would be class and directly home to sleep when there was zero motivation 😴 One investment I would recommend (if you don't like missing your tv shows) is TiVo. I was never worried about missing an important show of mine if I was getting stuff done say at a coffee shop, because I knew TiVo would record it for me. That way I could continue working without "tv seperation anxiety" - really it's a good investment.

 

[Blade28]

Sports bar.

If it's too quiet, I sleep. Plus I never miss a game.

Unlimited refills of non-alcoholic beverages and chips and salsa all day while you study.

Never thought of that - but that's a brilliant idea! 👍 👍

 

[McMD]

I really can't study in one place for extended periods of time, so I usually move around. For example, after class go over to study at the student center, lose motivation, head to the library for an hour or two, lose motivation, move over to a coffee shop for an hour or two, lose motivation, work out/ socialize, begin to think I'm slacking, head home and try to put an few hours in before going to sleep. That would be a good day - sometimes it would be class and directly home to sleep when there was zero motivation 😴 One investment I would recommend (if you don't like missing your tv shows) is TiVo. I was never worried about missing an important show of mine if I was getting stuff done say at a coffee shop, because I knew TiVo would record it for me. That way I could continue working without "tv seperation anxiety" - really it's a good investment.

In undergrad, I was definitely the same way. Luckily, I went to undergrad in a semi-small city, so I could move around from home, to the library, to Starbucks quite easily and quickly. However, I'm going to med school in Miami and I don't live right next to campus, so moving around from place to place may take an hour JUST to get there, with traffic!...I also acquired a dog since undergrad, so I have to take her into consideration while studying...I'm planning on studying at home 99.9% of the time. I'll stay at school and study at the library after classes and before classes to avoid rush hour traffic and to mix things up a bit...but other than that, I have to start loving studying at home. The beach is a half-block from my house, I'll probably *TRY* to study there for a change in atmosphere, but in the past, I haven't been able to study at the beach-it's too hot and let's face it, you just don't want to study when you're there!

 

[jonathon]

I enjoy studying in my car at a park. The library at my school is usally to noisy and it's used more for being social. I study a lot at home as well. This is all for undergrad studies.

 

[Law2Doc]

Sports bar.

If it's too quiet, I sleep. Plus I never miss a game.

Unlimited refills of non-alcoholic beverages and chips and salsa all day while you study.

You'd need the kind of mind that can turn outside distractions into white noise and filter them out. It is the rare med student who can do this well. Probably those bound for the more chaotic practices, such as ED.

I personally need a soundproof bunker, miles away from society, with no TV, phone or other distractions. But an unused part of the library suffices.

 

[crunchyhamster]

can't concentrate at home (computer to play with, bed, etc) and i fall asleep at the library. Don't like going to school. So i study at coffee shops. I can get free refills of my coffee, check out the cute boys as they walk in, the noise level keeps me awake, and the other students keep me honest (as in not spending hours on AIM instead of studying). I can also concentrate for 5 hours straight at coffee shops. it also reserves home as a place of relaxation and non-home as a place to study. i also hate barricading myself at home all day -- i feel like a hermit. I actually just keep all my books and study materials in the trunk of my car and it becomes my traveling locker.

 

[OrnotMajestic]

I actually change places several times a day. Regardless, I have my 20GB mp3 player (my saviour) loaded with my study music. I too, cannot study in a place that is TOO quiet, since I sleep. I need just the right about of distraction to treat as "white noise" for it to be effective.

My favorites:
-Barnes & Noble (I curse their awesome tea...I need more MORE MORE!)
-Late night study at the library
-My room
-Cow and Coffee (local place)
-My best friend's front porch swing
-My front porch swing
-Grassy hill by the lake
-Etc.

 

[OSUdoc08]

You'd need the kind of mind that can turn outside distractions into white noise and filter them out. It is the rare med student who can do this well. Probably those bound for the more chaotic practices, such as ED.

I personally need a soundproof bunker, miles away from society, with no TV, phone or other distractions. But an unused part of the library suffices.

BINGO.

Enjoy radiology/pathology.

 

[UCLAstudent]

I can't study when there's a lot of noise. I actually do all of my studying sitting on my bed in my room.

 

[OSUdoc08]

I can't study when there's a lot of noise. I actually do all of my studying sitting on my bed in my room.

How do you not fall asleep?

If it's quiet, I become unconscious immediately.

 

[UCLAstudent]

How do you not fall asleep?

If it's quiet, I become unconscious immediately.

I guess I'm just used to it because I have no trouble staying awake while studying --- nor do I have the reverse problem of being unable to fall asleep at night.

 

[OddNath]

I always used to study best at cofeeshops. I'm pretty good at drowning out outside noise, and the atmosphere of the coffeeshop helps me to stay awake.

Same for me-- if there's people bustling about, I feel like I need to at least *look* like I'm studying. I'd be embarrassed to just slump over and start drooling all over my books with other people around. And it also keeps me from just spacing out and staring at the wall, which I do alot at home or at the library.

So, while I have my eyes directed towards my notes, might as well learn the stuff, right? *And* there's coffee and treats for whenever I need a break. Win-win!

 

[Jon Davis]

I like to study in a dead quiet library. I can't even imagine myself studying in a coffee shop. So damn noisy and smelly.

My pet peeve in the library is when people come there to talk with their friends. It pisses me off.

 

[deleted50541]

Studying at home does not work for me at all. Probably has to do with the fact that I typically spend 15+ hours away from my place and the last thing I want to do when I get home is study.

I typically prefer to study and work in coffee shops or cafeterias. While I try to stick to off-times (not breakfast or lunch), even when there's a crowd, I barely notice them at all. Just this week, I cranked out a 10 page paper in about 2 hours at the local coffee shop. There's no way I could have done that either at the library or at home.

 

[Ambs]

I mostly study at my apartment because there's access to food, bathroom, all of my books/study materials, coffee, etc. I can also switch it up between my room (like UCLAstudent I can sit in bed and study), my desk in the living area, or even my balcony, which has a really spectacular view. Plus, I can play my music without using headphones, walk around in circles, study in PJs, cook simultaneously, etc.

 

[OSUdoc08]

I like to study in a dead quiet library. I can't even imagine myself studying in a coffee shop. So damn noisy and smelly.

My pet peeve in the library is when people come there to talk with their friends. It pisses me off.

I assume you won't be working in a hospital.

 

[Law2Doc]

I assume you won't be working in a hospital.

I think there's a difference between the environment one studies (quiet) and in which one applies that knowledge (not).
A strong aversion to "noisy and smelly" could be problematic in medicine, though.

 

[Jon Davis]

I assume you won't be working in a hospital.

I think there's a difference between the environment one studies (quiet) and in which one applies that knowledge (not).
A strong aversion to "noisy and smelly" could be problematic in medicine, though.

Sometimes I just gotta laugh at SDN members.
Where do you come up with this stuff?

I'm talkin about library etiquette and the atmosphere of a coffee shop. 🙄 I suppose I'm in trouble if the hospital is located in a library enclosed in a coffee shop.

 

[OSUdoc08]

I think there's a difference between the environment one studies (quiet) and in which one applies that knowledge (not).
A strong aversion to "noisy and smelly" could be problematic in medicine, though.

I disagree. I like noisy environments for both studying and working.

Perhaps it's your study techniques that mandate silence. Fortunately, I employ more flexible techniques.

 

[OSUdoc08]

Sometimes I just gotta laugh at SDN members.
Where do you come up with this stuff?

I'm talkin about library etiquette and the atmosphere of a coffee shop. 🙄 I suppose I'm in trouble if the hospital is located in a library enclosed in a coffee shop.

Are you one of those people who "shushes" people in the library, while simultaneously holding your 2nd digit in front of your mouth?

I hear those types of people have great external anal sphincter tone.

 

[supernova33418]

well i study both at my school library and at home. I like to have all my text books for the particular subject i am studying as well as my class notes , lessons notes, index cards , hand outs, school supplies etc and anything else i may need such as tissues ( I have horrible allergies).I prefer to study at home due to the availability of coffee

 

[Jon Davis]

Are you one of those losers who "shushes" people in the library, while simultaneously holding your 2nd digit in front of your mouth?

I hear those types of people have great external anal sphincter tone.

I'm not a blowhard tight ass eventhough you'd love for me to be one. You must be one of those internet tough guys. I guess you burned me! Ouch!!!

 

[OSUdoc08]

I'm not a blowhard tight ass eventhough you'd love for me to be one. You must be one of those internet tough guys. I guess you burned me! Ouch!!!

Nice post edit. 🙄

 

[Bubb Rubb]

both during the pre-clinical years and in the buildup to step 1 i studied at home, or at a friend's apartment. studying by myself or with one other person (2 becomes a distraction) with easy internet access for uptodate/google scholar/what have you was what worked for me.

 

[vincikai]

My fav studying place is "empty class room." after all thats where you were trained to be focus, your whole life.

 

[docjolly]

During my first year of medical school, there wasn't any amount of money you could pay me that could keep me in my apt Seriously, I couldn't focus there, and it was sooooooooo easy to take a "power" nap (which usually turned into a 6 hour nap) with my bedroom so close. I had no discipline or will-power whatsoever. So, I spent the majority of my first year studying in the library.

However, now that I'm in my second year, I'm a lot more focused, and I find myself able to ignore many of the distractions that got the best of me during my first year.
So, this year, it's a toss-up between my apartment and our basic sciences building.

 

[mikeonline]

My fav studying place is "empty class room." after all thats where you were trained to be focus, your whole life.

Same Here, though I've only studied in a emply lecture room a couple of times, its nice... it helps me stay in the same learning atmosphere. Libraries on the other are too crowded (sometimes), noisey (sometimes), and smelly (some places). For some reason libraries keep me depressed... anyone have a theory on this? And home is too annoying... ppl coming in and out of the room. The only problem with lecture rooms or class rooms is that the two times i was there.. I was kicked out an hour later.. because there was a class going on. I probably need to map out the times classes are going on in different rooms that seem favorable.

 

[mshollywoodmd]

I can't study when there's a lot of noise. I actually do all of my studying sitting on my bed in my room.

Actually it has been suggested that one should only use their bed for sex and sleeping ...both which could potentially have a lot of associated noise...preferably more so in the former than the latter...

 

[swimmy]

Totally depends on the person, I think. I have heard the same thing - some people can't study at home, some people do it a lot. I personally studied at home all the time, for a couple of reasons:

1) Don't feel like I'm "on display" - You can study lying down, in your sweatpants, walk around in circles, whatever. I consider studying in the library more of a social thing, where I am always checking to see who just arrived, who's leaving, etc.
2) You can have all of your possible study aids without having to worry about carrying them anywhere.
3) Frequent breaks to goof around online, get a drink (which are cheaper too!) - Some people would say this is the reason why they can't stay at home, of course.
4) I ended up searching for things online frequently - just look up a word in a dict. or wikipedia real quick without having to worry about whether a place has wireless etc.

I agree.👍 Except when you get distracted, it's hard to get back on track.

 

[Ypo.]

I alternate. This weekend I've been at home and its been extremely unproductive so far.


I blame this website.

 

[LauraMac]

i like to do ALL my studying at home. if i leave my apartment i see people i know, and all i do is talk. or if i get lucky and don't run into anyone, other ppl's conversations, annoying habits, etc. are far too distracting. plus, at home you don't have to waste time getting your books together, getting dressed, etc. you can just roll out of bed and get started. and it's a lot easier to get multiple snacks/meals at home than if you're out somewhere and have to pack everything up and go somewhere just to come right back and unpack everything again.

 

[Pembleton]

I can study both places but I absolutely do my best in spots w/o wireless access. So I go to either a rinky-dink local library or I switch off the wireless at home (which I should do now).

 

[45408]

at school or at the public city library. I never study at home, so that way, if I'm at home, I don't feel guilty about not studying. If I try to study at home, I'll turn on the TV, surf the Internet, fight the Nazis, eat, take a nap (I have a wonderful couch), or clean the house, because if anything is out of place when I study, I'll go fix it.