Studying…blah. It is time-consuming, monotonous and an essential part of passing a class. Studying is to college students as taking a bath is to a dog. What I am studying determines what kind of environment I study in. For instance, when I type a paper, I usually have the television or music on in the background. Right now, I'm watching "Fairly Odd Parents."

On the other hand, when I am reading a textbook or novel, I need a quiet area to focus. If I read a book when the television is on, I will keep reading; but when I regain concentration on my book, I realize that I read a whole page and didn't grasp anything on it. Although I didn't grasp anything thing from the book, I somehow know exactly how Lucas reacted to Brooke sleeping with Chris Keller on "One Tree Hill." It is weird because I was reading the whole time.

My textbook for my editing class, "When Words Collide," says, "Brain research shows that there is no such thing as multitasking" (Kessler, McDonald 6).

 The book discusses how when doing something that requires focus, your brain cannot do two things at once, but instead switches from one thing to the other. At first I thought this was a little ridiculous, but then I analyzed my "One Tree Hill" moment and realized that I do that a lot. So I realized that to successfully study I needed a quiet area to concentrate.

The best place for me to do this is at Hodges library. I am such a creature of habit that I go to the same place every time I go. I go to the fourth floor, third single carrel, next to the windows. I've already read all the graffiti and erased what I could so I can't be distracted, and the fourth floor is high enough so I'm not tempted to people watch.

I usually go to the library when I have a long break between classes. I know if I go to the library during my breaks, I will actually study and I'm not wasting my time in my apartment. I prefer to waste my time at night when "The Hills" is on.

If it is a nice day outside, I like to study in the amphitheatre. People tend to sit in the shade, but I love the sunshine; so it is easier for me to find a quiet area to study. The amphitheatre is great because if I get frustrated the sound of the wind blowing in the trees is extremely calming. Also it is fun to see people interact with one another, a practice better known as "people watching." Sometimes I have to force myself to continue studying.

Like the amphitheatre, it is nice to study under a tree or near a fountain. These may not be options for this week, but it is so calming to be outside with a soft breeze instead of always cooped up in the library.  

I'm always looking for a good place to focus without temptation of the television: share your favorite study spots by commenting on this story.