Top Ten Places to Study for College Students

In the stacks: Believe it or not the tried and true cliché of studying in the library actually works. Though, on most college campuses you won't see the couple television has us believe do nothing but fornicate in the libraries back rooms. If you do happen to come across a couple like this at your campus, snap a picture with your camera phone and put it up on Facebook, then go back to your oh-so-diligent study regiment. The best spots to study are on the lower levels, where all the dust collects. People tend to avoid the really old informative sections in favor of more recent internet savvy information.

Outside: Take advantage of nice days regardless of the locale. Sometimes a little sunshine and a warm blanket can make the work you've been putting off for months seem a little more doable. Head to the places with the least amount of people, so not in the central quad, but think of all the places normal students would pass up, be creative. Try places near roads because they've probably been left alone in favor of grassy knolls with guitar players and giant trees. Outside academic buildings also work, there are often complimentary benches, and students are so busy coming and going throughout the day the noise will be sporadic as opposed to constant.

At the coffee shops: A cliché hang-out, but one that works for all those addicted to a beverage of choice. The campus coffee shop offers a variety of delights, not just coffee, and during lunch from noon onward is virtually free of anyone but the workers. The vacancy is due to the majority of lazy students taking noon classes, making your study spot quiet as well as line-free. Get that study needed caffeine without a wait.

The Computer lab: These can be the epicenter of campus life if you're not careful when you frequent them. Make sure to haunt all the unusual labs, like if you're an English major, go to the biology lab. There are guaranteed to be less people at any time of day because biology students are always in science labs whereas English students are always writing. It's kind of a no-brainer. Also, never go to the library computer lab! Everyone has the same idea and the printers are always in use, the copiers always jammed. Stick with a lab besides your major and never late at night, many partiers and procrastanaters use this fill-in time in the computer labs to catch up. Your best bet is between one in the morning and four, if you must go at night.

The Student Center: This wouldn't seem like the best place to go to study since tours are roaming around and people are constantly walking from class to class. However, odds are it has Wi-Fi, making your trip to the library unnecessary if you have a laptop. It also offers a great vantage point to people watch and if you have any questions you might just see your project partner coming back from class. It leaves a lot of comfortable open floor space to sprawl out whichever way you like to study and their isn't a chance of someone walking in with an iPod deck as loud as your roommates.

At the Pub: Snatch some food when you feel like falling asleep over your notes. Sometimes, if the workers see how hard you've been hitting the books they'll throw in a little something for free. Offers the benefits of eat and cram without having to deal with the mess of people in the dining hall or having someone flitch your notes. As a side note, watch where you're eating, spilling food on your work is never a good idea.

A Friends Dorm Room: Often overlooked because of the potential for distraction, sometimes a buddy's help is just the boost you need to elevate your literary brain. Plus having a second pair of eyes to calculate any mistakes you may have made saves you the two hours you'd spend editing the work yourself. It also allows for ample debate opportunities, free food from their fridge, and a shoulder when you need a good stress cry. Always make sure you call first, nothing wreaks a study night like showing up to your friend's dorm to find them passed out and grumpy or filled with boyfriend/girlfriend drama they just have to get off their chest.

Off-campus Housing: As an alternative to the dorms, an off campus house allows for more privacy and more peace and quiet at night. Instead of listening to the chorus of sorority girls cheering every night outside your window, you only have to hear the peaceful backdrop of a highway or road. They also come with a much comfier crash pad in case you're exhausted and feel the need for a little post-study cat nap. The older students generally have first pick of this housing so if you happen to stumble upon anyone who has an off-campus house, odds are they have taken one of your classes before. This leaves you with a free tutor and some helpful class tips, provided you're nice enough.

Outside a Prof's Door: A relatively overlooked and feared spot, sitting outside your professor's door ensures that whatever homework your doing for them will get done right, and on time. They are easy access for any questions you may have, and when they run out for meetings you'll get the bonus prize of them seeing how diligent and wonderful a student you can be. This can be a plus during exam times and can earn participation points. Instead of worrying about what they'd see you doing wrong, think of all the things you could make right.

The English Building: Even if you're not an English major, take advantage of this building. English majors are some of the biggest studiers on campus and they can bullshit pretty well too. You're likely to find this floor quiet as a mouse because everyone is reading a book for class or deep in thought for a paper outline. Sometimes it's quieter then the library and the best kept secret on campus.