Dylan McCourt is a content writer for KCPR. The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of Mustang Media Group.
As college students, studying is practically unavoidable. At Cal Poly, students are expected to spend one full day’s worth of time studying per week. The university suggests 25-35 hours per week, a stat that left students “gobsmacked.”
Whether that means you’re compiling ancient texts, practicing your Mandarin or taking derivatives, almost everybody has a task to complete or a skill to hone. Yet the “where” and the “how” of your busy work is just as important as the what. Your methods of study can be the difference between a passing grade or a stress migraine. So, to avoid the latter, students can be quite particular about their chosen locale. Here’s where your chosen spot — or perhaps your new favorite — falls on the study spectrum, plus what it says about you.
Silent: Hush-hush vibes. Set rules, strict noise levels, adult supervision.
Social: Where the party’s at. Relaxed, friendly, deregulated.
Open: Free for all. No cover charge, no required purchase, no membership required.
Acquired: Exclusive. Barriers to entry. Reserve or pay to enter.
Bottom left: The chatterbox
When under a deadline, some people require absolute isolation. Yet others thrive on casual communities to ignite their efficiency. If you work best alone, good for you. Not everyone can be Batman. For the rest of us, low-commitment company can be found at these spaces, unrestricted and accompanied by a compelling cast of characters.
Their patrons come to enjoy the hustle-and-bustle of a crowd, roaming to and fro as they please. Here you’ll find group project meetings, animated discussions, and a healthy smattering of loafers and idlers alike. Third spaces such as Front Porch can provide perks from free coffee to entertainment, games, activities and even instruments for all to enjoy. Altogether they provide a soothing static or an aggravating din, depending on your study preference. Convene at one of these spots if you enjoy a lively ambiance, but prefer to ditch the $7 latte-access-fee, typical of common café culture.
Top right: Recluse refuse
Still, there are those whose bubbles are quickly burst by ruckus and rabble. Whosoever works best alone and unbothered is best off in one of these selective, serene spaces.
If you are all about control and tranquility, requiring uninterrupted, solitary work flow, you’ll get your tasks done best in a hideaway that is impenetrable to intruders. Lock yourself in and lock others out of places like library fishbowls or private study rooms to really dial in. For introverts, and those easily distracted, best to go full recluse until further notice. Hole up, keep to yourself and keep pushing through those endless assignments.
Bottom right: The cover charge
Studying alone can get a little lonely. That said, not all company is good company. If you’re picky about your study buddies, perhaps you’re best suited to a more exclusive preserve.
Luckily, there’s a happy medium between constant beratement and a full-fledged case of the loneliness epidemic. These enclaves provide a reliable climate with just enough fraternizing to keep your gears from grinding. If familiar faces and limited seating is your jam, places like Sally Loo’s Wholesome Cafe, or perhaps a bar downtown (for those daring few night-owl crammers) may be just the right haunt for you.
Top left: The silent majority
With that said, let’s face facts: it’s just not viable to buy a drink or reserve a space every time work must be done. And for those who require absolute concentration but don’t want to complete a form or pay the price of food or drink, easy access while maintaining a tranquil atmosphere is essential.
If you don’t mind a select few signs of life, the upper library floors are that perfect free-access refuge from chatter. Or, if more solitary accommodation is a must, but you still prefer to come and go, an empty classroom or a secluded trail spot can provide a silent, transient sanctuary for your academic needs.
Though most spots on this chart sit directly in one quadrant or another, nothing about these places and preferences is cut or dry. The key to charts like these: They operate on a spectrum. That’s why no two venues sit on the same point, and none are exclusively one aspect or another.
Yes, the Recreation Center Pool on a Friday can be as cacophonous as a crammed carnival and yes, you could hear a pin drop with earplugs on Kennedy Library level five, but patterns are not absolute truths. This arrangement is in no way perfect. Instead, let it serve as a set of suggestions and generalizations; a fun grouping of the familiar features of some friendly commons.
The best way to truly understand these beloved havens is to experience them firsthand. San Luis Obispo holds innumerable nooks and corners for any number of tasks and projects. There’s really no reason to limit yourself to a singular study spot when there are so many fantastic places to choose from.
