Best Places to Study Without Distractions (That Aren’t Your Bed)
Feb 17, 20259 min read
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Best Places to Study Without Distractions (That Aren’t Your Bed)
A lot of students only ever study from the comfort of their own homes or dorm rooms. While it’s convenient, that’s not the only good spot for doing homework.
We need dopamine to stay motivated, and one of the best ways to boost it is by breaking one’s routine every once in a while to explore new things. Changing your study environment can also improve focus and creativity, which is especially useful when you need to write a paper and want fresh ideas.
So, where is a good place to study? Here are some of the popular—yet still underappreciated—options that we’re going to cover here:
- Library
- University campus
- Coworking space
- Coffee shop or bookstore café
- Quiet park
- Museum reading room
- Train station or airport lounge
- Your home (but there’s a twist).
As you can see, you have various alternatives to pick from. Everyone operates differently, so we have zero doubts you’ll find something that works for you, no matter what you prefer—total silence, the hustle and bustle in the background, or something in between.
Best places to go to study for peace
Some people thrive in chaotic environments and find them great for maintaining focus and staying productive. But that’s not the case for everyone. If you prefer doing your readings and other homework with zero distractions, these are the places to go to study you might like:
- Library. Even if you study remotely and don’t have a university library you can use, you can always go to a regular library (there’s one in most neighborhoods) and use its reading room.
- Museum reading room. Not all museums have it, but when they do, it’s very similar to a library reading room—peace, great lighting, and other people focused on their work next to you.
- Empty classroom. Not every university makes those available to students, though.
- Quiet park. Just find a bench hidden somewhere under a tree and catch up on your readings!
- A secluded spot in a public garden. Why can’t a study session double as a picnic?
Cool places to study indoors—library, museum reading room, etc.
The most obvious place (that isn’t your home or dorm) to go to do your readings or write papers is a library. Not only is it quiet, but it has that unique vibe to it that is guaranteed to put you in the right mood for research and writing.
What’s more, the library gives you access to a basically unlimited supply of literature. You can step out of your comfort zone and try diving into physical books and papers instead of using online databases akin to JSTORE or ProQuest. And any library worker will be more than happy to help you find something relevant to your studies.
Alternative good places to study at are a museum room or an empty classroom. A museum reading room is pretty much the same as a library reading room, except it doesn’t have the same choice of books. In turn, an empty classroom is perfect if you prefer working in solitude.
Comfortable places to study outdoors—like a quiet park
If the weather is good, why not get some vitamin D and study outside? Birds singing won’t disturb you; on the contrary, they will calm you and help you focus on your readings. Sure, writing outdoors might not be convenient, but most of the homework is reading anyway, so a bench or picnic blanket should do just fine.
So, what is a good place to study outdoors?
We have two fantastic options to offer: a secluded bench somewhere in your neighborhood park and a hidden picnic spot in a public garden. Both work well, but we encourage you to try the latter. We guarantee you’ll enjoy lying on a blanket, reading your textbooks, and taking snack breaks. It’s your chance to not only do your homework but also add a bit of mindfulness to your day. Just don’t forget to wear sunscreen, even if you plan to pick a spot under a tree!
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What is the best place to study at home?
If you don’t want to look for new places to do school work but still would like to add some variety to where you study, you have options even at home! We wouldn’t recommend doing homework from your bed. It’s a sure way to merge the boundaries between work and rest, and it might even mess up your sleep quality—so it’s not the best place to study at home.
Instead, consider trying these:
- A dedicated workspace. Having a desk or another dedicated workspace is great for focus and productivity. We encourage you to decorate it to your liking, though, so that it feels inviting and not boring.
- A balcony. If you have a balcony or a patio, you can get that vitamin D and fresh air without leaving your house. If you can put a table there—even better! You won’t be limited to just reading there this way.
- A comfortable armchair in the living room corner. Your favorite reading nook—with cozy lighting and all—can double as a study spot.
No matter where you choose to study, the key is to create an environment that keeps you engaged and motivated. After all, if you set yourself up for success, you won’t be tempted to think, "I wish someone could just write a paper for me instead!"
Your desk isn’t the only good place to study at home
You probably have more places to sit and do homework than just your desk, don’t you? By the way, to make it clear, we aren’t saying there is anything wrong with your dedicated workspace. It’s specifically designed for focused work, so it makes sense to stick to it on most days.
However, some variety is great for dopamine production (and, therefore, motivation), which is the main reason why we encourage you to explore alternatives.
You can start with a reading nook or living room sofa, but we suggest you go with the balcony or patio instead. Not everyone has those at home, but if you do, why not make the most of it?
Staying inside all day isn’t good for mental health or productivity, and a balcony is a perfect option if you don’t have time or desire to go somewhere like a park. It’s also still at home, so you can easily charge your devices or have a coffee break whenever you feel like it.
Places to do school work if you need background noise
Not everyone likes studying somewhere in complete silence; some prefer having subtle background noises, such as music, other people chatting quietly, or traffic. If you’re one of those people, a library or an empty classroom probably isn’t your cup of tea.
Luckily, though, we still have a couple of good study spots to offer that aren’t too quiet for your taste:
- A coffee shop. This one is the most obvious choice (and for a good reason!). You get music in the background, other people chatting without being too loud, and, most importantly, an unlimited supply of coffee. What else could one need?
- A bookstore café. A bookstore café is a quieter version of a coffee shop. You still get some background noise—as well as that learning-inspiring vibe libraries have—but there’s no risk of someone having a loud Zoom meeting next to you.
Not enough going on in the background for your taste? No problem—we have more options!
Unconventional places to go study if you dislike the quiet
Want even more buzz than a coffee shop or a bookstore café can offer? Then how about one of these?
- The terrace of a diner. If you’d like to study outdoors but a park isn’t bustling enough for you, how about the outside area of a diner or a pub? You likely won’t be able to sit there for too long, but it’s still a great spot to read a few pages from your textbook or respond to your classmates’ discussion posts.
- A train station or airport lounge. This one will only work for people who like their places to study really chaotic, but why not? If you can tune out the background noise and not get distracted by constant announcements, a train station and airport lounge can both be good places to study, even if they are somewhat unconventional.
Remember—the best places to go study aren’t always what you expect. Don’t be afraid to experiment.
Best places to study for every taste. Let’s sum up
Everyone has their idea of what a good place to study is. Some like libraries; others find them suffocating. Some always do their readings in coffee shops; others prefer a quiet bench in a park.
Pick whatever fits your taste and is available in your area:
- Quite & indoors: a library, museum reading room, or empty classroom
- Quite & outdoors: a secluded area in a park or public garden
- Lively & indoors: a coffee shop, bookstore café, or a train station or airport lounge
- Lively & outdoors: the outdoors area of a coffee shop or diner
- At home: a designated desk, balcony, or cozy reading book in the corner of a living room.
If you aren’t sure of how you prefer to study—in complete silence or with background noise, indoors or outdoors—try out different options until you have an answer. The environment you study in affects your focus, productivity, and inspiration. Find what works best for you!
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Frequently asked questions
If you prefer studying somewhere without any background noise or risk of people bothering you, we recommend a library, an empty classroom, or a museum reading room. All have great lighting, almost no distractions, and an atmosphere that helps you stay focused.
Also, these are all free (except those museums that charge an entrance fee even if you don’t intend to see any exhibit), which is important for people on a tight student budget.
Most students study at a campus library or at home (or dorm), which makes perfect sense—these are the most accessible and convenient places for schoolwork, especially if they need to consult physical books.
Don’t make the common mistake of studying in your bed, though! It isn’t good for your work-life balance and can affect your sleep quality. Instead, consider designing a designated working space (say a desk) or a cozy reading nook in the corner or next to a window. Also, a balcony can be a good study spot.
If you don’t want to stay on campus after your classes are over but still need to do your homework somewhere, the best options are a coffee shop, a library, a quiet park, or a bookstore café.
You’ve probably tried coffee shops and libraries already, so why not go to a park for a change (as long as the weather allows it)? The fresh air will clear your head and calm your anxiety. And you can always take coffee and snacks with you from home to avoid spending extra money.
The best places to do school work outdoors are parks, public gardens, and cafés and diners' outdoor areas. Parks and public gardens are best if you prefer your study environment quiet, whereas cafés and diners will work well if you need some background noise to focus.
If it’s warm and sunny outside, we recommend you take a picnic blanket and something to snack on—then find a secluded lawn in your neighborhood park to spread out and enjoy a peaceful study session. With the fresh air and natural surroundings, it’s a great way to refresh your mind while getting work done.
