Mariana Sanchez
Students sit and study in the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library at the San José State campus which has nine stories for both the community and students to utilize.
As the new semester kicks off, San José State University students are on the hunt for the best spots to study at on campus – places that reduce stress, spark creativity and possibly offer more than just tackling assignments.
For most students, a consistent study environment is associated with being able to focus and increasing academic performance.
Beyond studying at the same location, students have shown a preference to other areas with fewer distractions.
Chris Le, a second-year computer science student, said certain environmental factors contribute to a great study spot.
“(I think) ambiance, sound level and accessibility to food (are important),” Le said.
Learning consists of different psychological, social, and cultural factors which are also created by participants, according to the National Library of Medicine webpage.
The study found how negative emotions and stress pose difficulties in different learning environments.
“(Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library has) a really clean atmosphere, most of the time, it’s just a really nice pristine feeling,” Le said.
The MLK library became one of the first to combine resources of a major public library with a university, According to the SJ Library website.
SJSU’s joint public library, established in 2003, provides students with multiple floors and areas where students can focus on their studies, according to the same source.
With a range of nine different floors to choose from, the library supplies students with diverse collections and technology equipped workspaces.
Julia Mills, an SJSU nursing alumna, said even though she ran into issues in the library as a student, it was a go-to spot.
“I always had the same table (at MLK), way up high, that I like to see out the glass window,” Mills said. “Rainy days, sunny days, just what’s going on …”
Her go-to spot wasn’t just about routine, it reflects the value of having natural elements for many students.
Along with the library, Mills said that another go-to spot was the Student Union because of the open hang out area.
“I was in the nursing program,” Mills said. “So all of us would just, in between classes, hang out there.”
She explained how during her time at SJSU, the Student Union did not have much available compared to the new additions now.
“The Student Union was this hideous, awful place,” Mills said. “All we had, I think, back then was Burger King.”
Eve Uehara, a fourth-year psychology student, noted a problem she has with staying in random campus buildings.
“If I’m just sitting in the hallway or something and people are walking by, footsteps kind of reverberate through the hallway,” Uehara said.
She noted her enjoyment of sitting on the front lawn of the science building and watching the squirrels in the grass.
The simple benefits of nature and observing living things help make the studying process feel less stressful for most.
Though the recent lawn closures in front of Tower Hall have been difficult to get around, she still finds herself gearing towards a study spot outside.
“Its all connected to nature, which is a lot better,” Uehara said.