By Marie-Ange Betz
Whether it’s the quiet nook at a library or the chill vibe of a coffee shop, every Grand Rapids Community College student has their favorite place to study. But what makes these spots so unique and different? Is it the mixture of calm and focus, or maybe the free Wi-Fi and unlimited coffee? GRCC students shared their favorite study spots with The Collegiate.
Kyla Fields, 20, from Grand Rapids, likes to take her time studying at the health tutorial lab in the GRCC Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall fourth floor.
Fields shared how she sometimes likes studying by herself, “Then I can vibe out with my music and really just have that quiet time. I still can study with others. It just depends on who the person is, they can keep me on track or off, so it does matter on who I’m studying with when it comes to groups or one on one.”
When asked what makes the study spot ideal, she said, “It’s to myself.”
Fields added she likes to have background noise while studying but sometimes, when she has to really lock in, she likes complete silence.
Steven Nkurunziza, 20, from Rwanda, and his go-to study spot(s) are the tutorial labs, “Assistance is always there whenever I need help understanding a concept or solving a problem,” he said.
“The course work is challenging, which leads to decreased motivation and procrastination when studying alone,” Nkurunziza said, adding that he prefers studying with others because he can maintain focus and it reduces the feeling of being overwhelmed.
Like Nkurunziza said, studying alongside others and also working provides him with motivation and concentration.
“I personally like the background noise so I don’t feel overwhelmed in my mind,” he said. “However, if I’m working on writing, a science report or an essay I prefer silence.”
When asked if he changes his study spots, Nkurunziza said he changes study spots depending on what he is working on, and he replied, “I typically study in the same location each day since I’m working on the same thing,” he said, adding that if he is doing writing assignments, he prefers a quiet environment.
Nancy Aboosh, 19, of Allendale, likes to study on the fourth floor by the parking lot in GRCC RJF Hall, “mainly because it has nice seating and windows so it’s easy to see what you’re writing and there’s always a lot happening in this area.”
Aboosh prefers to study alone because it is better for her that way and she is more of an individual.
“There’s a lot of people that come in and out and when I need that brain break it’s nice but also it’s not so loud or obnoxious. Even if it is like that I have my airpods to help,” she said.
Not all study spots have to be at school, other great locations are local coffee shops or even the library. Sometimes it can be in bed. For Skyler Mungar, 23, of Sparta, her favorite spot to study is her bedroom. It’s quiet for Mungar and she is familiar with the space.
Mungar prefers to study alone because “when I am in a group of people I usually get distracted.”
“My area I study makes it ideal because like I said it’s quiet and if there’s too much going on I won’t be able to focus,” she said.
Mungar likes to have complete silence but once and while she will put on some music with little background noise.
In the end, finding the best place to study is all about what helps you focus, feel relaxed and chilled. Every GRCC student has that one go-to place that makes studying a bit easier. So what’s your go-to spot for studying?
