Choosing the right environment to study in could be a make-or-break for your success in this upcoming semester. ORACLE GRAPHIC/ELLIE FROST

If you’re like the many USF students who find studying to be one of the most dreaded aspects of a new semester, there might be an unexpected fix to this concern.

The root of the issue could actually be the location you’re studying in, not the material itself.

It’s easy to just study in your dorm room or the first location you see on campus.

Still, a variety of studies suggest that the environment you choose to study in can help increase your success and productivity in your classes. 

Students should make deliberate adjustments to their study environment to maximize their study experience. 

Related: OPINION: Why you should study abroad at USF

With colder weather approaching, the spring semester is also a great time to study outdoors — and doing so could bring a variety of benefits. 

Studying in natural light has been shown to significantly improve mood and learning efficiency, according to a 2024 study published in MDPI Buildings, a journal focused on building engineering and architecture.

By studying outdoors rather than indoors, you benefit from fresh air and sunlight, which can create a more focused and calming environment. 

During my first semester at USF, I took advantage of the wide range of study spots on campus and experimented with studying outdoors in various spaces.

This included the steps of the Judy Genshaft Honors College to the picnic tables outside of Russell M. Cooper Hall. 

I found that the fresh air, sunlight and nature that surrounded me in these locations not only helped me increase my focus, but made me enjoy studying more than I had before.

However, if you still prefer studying indoors, there are small adjustments you can make in your choice of location that can produce different results. 

For example, selecting an indoor spot near windows that let in natural light can have positive effects.

In workplaces with natural light, employees experienced an 84% reduction in symptoms such as eyestrain, headaches and blurred vision, according to a 2018 PR Newswire study.  

Reducing these symptoms can help you study for longer and have a more enjoyable experience overall.

Another subtle habit that could also be hindering your productivity is studying in the same place where you sleep.

While it can be tempting to use your bed as a cozy study spot, it can make it harder to sleep.

The American College of Healthcare Sciences explains that studying in bed can not only make it harder to focus but also disrupt your sleep schedule.

This happens because your body begins to associate your place of rest with a place of productivity, according to the article.

Nonetheless, there are still a variety of study spots on campus that offer a comfy atmosphere — from the study nooks on the fifth floor of the Tampa Library to the various couches in common areas.

Students should also try to take full advantage of the on-campus indoor study spots. 

They are not only convenient to access but also create an effective study environment, with design choices such as large windows and comfortable seating.

Related: USF Tampa Library debuts new tap ID entrance to boost security

Another debate that often arises in discussions of ideal study locations is whether a consistent or alternating location is more effective. 

While this aspect of the conversation is largely a matter of personal preference, there is substantial evidence supporting the benefits of alternating study locations.

Choosing to study one topic in the same place is a strategy Psychology in Action suggests to increase retention when studying for exams. 

Still, this strategy won’t noticeably improve students’ retention of the subject unless they also take their exam in the same place where they studied, according to the article.

In addition, frequently changing your study spots can help maintain alertness. 

This is referred to as “contextual variation” in a 2020 study from the National Library of Medicine, which suggests that retention increases when students study the same material in different locations. 

For example, if you have an extensive paper to write in just a day, moving between a variety of study spots throughout the day could help keep your brain more engaged.

Regardless of where you choose to study this semester, it is important to make these deliberate adjustments to study outdoors or in a range of locations across USF’s campus. 

The change in location could help you have a more productive semester and might help you stop hating studying after all.