By Quentin Revillard / staff writer

As finals approach, students at Missouri Valley College are looking for the best places to stay focused and productive.

Many point to the Murrell Library as a top option due to its quiet atmosphere and variety of study spaces. The library offers both individual and group study areas, allowing students to choose what works best for them. Jadwin Farington, a library work-study student, said this flexibility is key.

 “The Library is a good place to study because it is fairly quiet and there are multiple study areas in case there are a lot of people in certain rooms,” Farington said.

Certain spaces within the library are more popular than others.

“In my opinion, the most popular area is either the Collaboration Area or the Educational area on the second floor. These areas are attractions for students,” he said.

The library tends to get busier later in the day as students finish practices and classes. 

However, quieter times do exist.

“The best time is on Sundays… not many people come to the library on Sundays,” Farington said.

Freshman Matheo Socquet Clerc said the Malcolm Center is his go-to study location.

“My favorite place is the Malcolm Center because it is quiet, has a good study atmosphere, and helps me stay focused,” Socquet Clerc said.

He emphasized the importance of a distraction-free environment.

“When it is quiet like the library or my room, I am more productive. If it is noisy, I get distracted easily,” he said.

Students also balance studying alone or with others, depending on their needs.

“I prefer studying alone most of the time… but sometimes I study with my soccer teammates so we help each other,” Socquet Clerc said.

While the library is a popular choice, challenges like noise and limited space during busy hours still exist.

 “The main challenges are noise, lack of space, and sometimes finding a quiet spot during busy times,” he said.

Farington said some of the best study spots are often overlooked, including smaller rooms inside the library.

 “There is a small room called the Observation room… I think it’s one of the best spots in the Library,” he said.

Faculty members also emphasize that the “best” study spot depends on the individual. Tiffany 

Bergman, professor of history, said comfort and focus are the most important factors.

 “A study environment is effective if it’s some place where you are comfortable… and you can focus,” Bergman said.

Bergman said students should not limit themselves to traditional study locations and should explore different spaces across campus.

 “I think there’s more space than people realize… you just have to kind of ask,” she said.

She also encourages students to find or even “claim” their own study environment, whether that is a quiet classroom, a corner of the library or another overlooked area.

 “You can’t be afraid to look outside the box and figure out what your space is,” Bergman said.

According to Bergman, study habits and environments directly impact academic performance. Students who dedicate consistent, focused time to studying tend to see better results.

 “If you don’t give yourself… focused study time, you’re not giving yourself the opportunity to fully absorb the information,” she said.

Ultimately, Bergman said there is no single perfect study space, as every student learns differently.

 “Studying is very unique… you have to figure out what your study comfort is,” she said.

As finals near, students are encouraged to explore different study environments across campus to find what works best for them.