Top Places to Study for Finals Week
Once again, the academic year is drawing to a close! It was a tough spring 2021 semester for many of us, but summer is almost here; beautiful weather, vacation plans, and academic freedoms are exciting prospects. But there is one more hurdle that we must overcome first: finals week. It is arguably the most challenging and stressful week of the academic semester (especially in a remote format), therefore, giving oneself ample time to study is crucial for success. In hopes of alleviating the pressures of next week, below are several suggestions for great study spots. They may make your studying progress more enjoyable and, ultimately, help you dive into finals with confidence.
Coffee Shops
Odds are, if you’ve made it this far in your college career, you’ve studied at a coffee shop before. Even now, they hold up as an excellent study location. Most coffee shops have great ambiances to them; cozy lighting, relaxing music, and the dull chatter of nearby people can be great white noise while you’re in an academic headspace. Cafes also usually have various tools to help you endure, like comfortable seating, power outlets for your electronics, and free Wi-Fi. If your studying session happens to last longer than expected, you can always buy a drink–coffee, tea, etc.–to break up the time and stay focused. I prefer local places like The Laughing Goat Coffeehouse or Trident Café over big companies like Starbucks because I find them more comforting; they usually have a less hustle-and-bustle atmosphere to prevent any distractions.
Parks
If you’re looking to satiate your outdoor fix, parks are a great place to study for exams. With warmer weather on the rise, there’s nothing like setting up a blanket under the sun and working away, especially in vast open areas like Norlin Quad. Parks can also produce a wholesome ambiance, whether it be people playing sports nearby, kids enjoying a playground, or even just the twittering of birds. It is easy to forget in the face of finals, but you must get outside every now and then to stay healthy. So breathing in some fresh air and having sunlight hit your face while you study can prove beneficial to your physical and mental health. The only downside here is that parks do not provide Wi-Fi, so you’ll either have to use conventional study methods (hand-written notes, hard copy textbooks, etc.) or a mobile hotspot to be successful.
Libraries
Not to state the obvious, but libraries are an excellent place to prepare for finals. Whereas the options above have various levels of outside noise, libraries are an ideal location for those who require absolute silence to study. As CU Boulder affiliates, you are always welcome to use the university libraries or you can seek out public facilities like Boulder Public Library. Either way, most libraries offer a number of amenities that can enhance your study effectiveness, including computers, printers, study rooms, and physical materials (books, journals, etc.). Just remember that if you plan on studying with friends at a library, make sure to reserve a study room; that way you can converse without the risk of interrupting anyone else’s studying.
Gyms
This may come as a surprise, but gyms can also be a great place to study! It’s a great way for you to “kill two birds with one stone”; taking care of your physical health while also getting ready for approaching finals. In short, the gym is best when studying for finals that focus on memorization or repetitive reviewing. Depending on what your workout routine entails, you can easily incorporate studying into your sessions. If it’s a cardio day and you use a treadmill, you can bring your notebook/physical notes to review while walking or running. If your routine involves a rotation of a few different machines or free weights, you can record yourself reading your notes aloud and then listen to your notes on repeat throughout your workout. Most people already feel good after a challenging workout. Just imagine how you’d feel after a simultaneous workout and study session!