By Craig Barnes/reporter

Finding a place to study on campus may seem a daunting task, but some students believe they have found the ideal spots.

Jennifer Hughes likes to study in a small garden oasis between the Science East and West buildings on NE Campus.

“There is a little rock path that leads to a bench where I can sit in peace and get some studying done,” she said. “No one is ever there.”

What makes her “secret place” even better, Hughes said, is that “it is tucked away from the wind, so my papers don’t blow away, and I still get the sunlight.”

Courtney McCracken, another NE student, prefers the cafeteria.

“I like to study by the Subway in the Student Center because the light is good, the tables are spaced far enough apart and the smell of food reminds me of being at home in my kitchen,” she said. “It’s kind of comforting.”

She avoids the NSTU TV room. 

“[It’s] a definite no-no for me because I can’t study with the TV on,” she said.

“It’s too distracting.”

Not everyone agrees on the best places to study. Although McCracken avoids the NSTU TV area, Myranda Fields heads there.

“I love the TV area, especially the chairs against the back wall when they’re open,” she said. “I have always studied with the TV on, so it’s a great place to do homework for me.”

The SE Campus library is Brandon Burns’ favorite study spot.

“I guess it’s kind of a traditional place to study, but it helps me to stay focused because everyone in there is trying to learn something, right?” he said. “So I just kind of feed off that energy.”

While many students like Burns prefer the quietness of the library, others seek less traditional study areas.

“Up in the WTLO building, in the long green hallway, if I have time, that’s

where I go,” said NW student Kara Manning.

The Idea Store on TR Campus is also a popular study area.

“It’s the environment. It looks really nice, and it’s enclosed and cozy,” said TR student Stephen Cortez.

TR student Erik Castel agrees.

“I love the atmosphere,” he said.

South Campus student Qasim Nagi said for him, studying at home is a good choice.

“I study at home often or at the math lab, anywhere that’s quiet,” he said.

All the students agreed it didn’t matter where they study as long as they got their studying done and did not put it off until the last minute.

“If you get on your homework as soon as possible, it seems to be little easier and keeps you from being stuck cramming at the last minute,” Fields said.

Also, if they study in a place where people are having too much fun and playing games, they said their studies would be negatively affected and they would be too distracted to get their assignments or test preparations done properly.

“Just get your work done as soon as you can,” McCracken said, “so you can get on to other things like having fun.”