Ready to knuckle down and revise? We’ve compiled some of the best places to study according to students. In this guide, you’ll find innovative ideas for focus, discover favourite student study spots, and even learn where not to study according to science.
Heading somewhere simply because “the vibe seems cool” can quickly backfire if the space doesn’t match your study needs. So, when hunting for a study spot, think about what’s likely to help you most. Here are some things to consider:
A key consideration when looking for a place to study is your sensory needs, especially if you’re neurodivergent. Think about sounds, sights, smells, and physical sensations. Do you need “quiet calm” or “busy high energy”? Do you work better surrounded by visual clutter or in spaces designed to be minimal? Your sensory experience can play a big part in your ability to concentrate.
What kinds of spaces bring you joy? If being in nature makes you happy, look for spaces with an “indoor/outdoor” feel, like lakeside cafés or coworking areas with large windows overlooking greenery. If the city is where you feel most content, go for high‑floor libraries with sweeping urban views or modern spaces like cultural centres or art galleries.
Comfort and safety are a priority, too. According to research, students are much more prone to health issues when furniture doesn’t fit them. Try to seek out spaces with supportive seating or multiple seating options so you can mix things up. You’ll also want to think about accessibility. Your study location should be somewhere you can easily access and get to and from without excessive travel time.
And don’t forget to consider the subject you’re studying; different subjects suit different study spaces. If you’re studying a more academic subject, you may feel more motivated in an environment that’s calm and practical. But if art and design’s your subject of choice, a crafty, colourful space might give you some much-needed inspiration.
So, where should you head to revise? It turns out finding the “perfect study space” is a hot topic online. Here are some tried-and-tested locations recommended by students across the globe:
It may come as no surprise that the library is regarded as one of the best places to study by students. But it’s not just the ample space and quiet surroundings that students love about it. In a sub focused on spots for studying, one Reddit user pointed out the benefit of having others around for motivation:
“I highly recommend you try it only because seeing other’s work and the study does motivate you to do it.”
Home is another popular student study location because of the convenience and comfort it provides. One student with ADHD mentioned that home working is better suited to them since it supports task switching:
“Honestly I do my best work and studying at home. I find my brain works better there because I know that I can do other tasks if I wanted/needed to.”
Feeling isolated as a new student? Your local coffee hangout could be the ideal choice if you’re craving a little company (and great coffee, of course):
“The days I don’t feel like studying or feel lonely I go there. I buy a coffee and study there until they close”, said one Reddit User.
Empty classrooms can be useful for revising in after lectures or when you need somewhere to do a quick brain dump. According to one Redditor, unoccupied spaces are a great option if the library’s full or you can’t work from home:
“My uni lets students use any room that isn’t currently booked. I think you can book the room for yourself exclusively but idk how to do that, just go in and find an empty room (there’s usually loads of them).”
While it might not be the most conventional option, a few students actually recommend studying on the floor for comfort and focus:
“Is it just me or does sitting in a desk chair make you tired easier? I usually do any kind of sitting work on the floor with a low table either cross legged…”, said one Reddit user. “I do the same thing…”, wrote another.
Staying close to the ground for calm and focus isn’t an entirely new concept. People in other parts of the world often squat or kneel while doing important tasks, and many therapeutic sources cite “floor time” as helpful for self-regulation and boosted mental health. So, if you’re someone who finds calm in simple setups, the floor could be your unexpected sweet spot.
What is it that makes a great study spot? According to avid studyers online, here are some vital factors that can make or break a study session:
Many students swear by studying somewhere they can grab a coffee. And there’s science behind it: caffeine can improve memory when you’re working outside your natural peak hours. It can also boost happiness, which can make studying feel less like a chore. Just be mindful if you have ADHD and take stimulant medication, as combining the two may amplify side effects.
According to students, the best place to study is anywhere your phone isn’t. As one student put it:
“Being in an area at a time where I don’t need my phone on me… that’s my biggest weakness.”
Phones drain mental bandwidth just by being nearby, even when people manage to ignore them. So, if your ideal study spot is somewhere you can put your phone out of reach (or at least out of sight), you’re already stacking the odds in your favour.
When it comes to noise vs. quiet, there’s no universal rule. Even students with ADHD are split. Some need silence, while others thrive with ambient noise. The key is knowing your own sensory profile and choosing a space that matches it.
And let’s not forget the practicalities that come up time and time again:
You don’t want to spend half your time troubleshooting tech issues or awkwardly trying to adapt. To save frustration, check Reddit or Google reviews to suss out well-equipped study spots beforehand.
You now know the best places to get into study mode, but where should you avoid?
According to a 2018 study looking at the impact of indoor environments on different learning tasks, it’s best to skip spaces with sensory extremes. They found people learned best when the room hit that sweet spot of comfort: not too hot, not too cold, pleasantly quiet, and brightly lit. In those conditions, especially for tasks that rely on perception, learning efficiency reached its peak.
You’ll also want to steer clear of spaces that make you anxious. One paper exploring concentration in adolescence showed an indirect link between social anxiety and academic achievement. They found adolescents with higher social anxiety found it harder to concentrate in the classroom, which in turn predicted lower objective grades 4–6 months later. So, when you’re studying for important exams and have a limited amount of time to revise, it’s best to stick to spots that feel calming and familiar.
The best place to study is one that fits your sensory preferences and supports the kind of work you’re doing. Pay attention to whether you focus better in quiet or with background noise, choose spaces with good lighting and temperature, and make sure the seating won’t leave you sore. When those elements line up, you’ve found a spot that helps you stay focused.
It depends on your natural rhythm. Mornings can work well if you feel sharp early in the day, while evenings may suit people who enjoy the quiet that comes with nighttime. The best time is simply when your energy and attention are naturally highest, so notice when you feel most alert and plan your study sessions around that.
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