As finals season comes around, many students look for the best ways to study and prepare for these exams. Whether it’s consuming copious amounts of caffeine or using online tools to create flashcards, there is one variable that greatly affects how your study session goes: the location where you learn. I personally tried these locations to study for my own exams, and here are my thoughts and rankings.
Milpitas Public Library:
First up, we have arguably the best public study spot in all of Milpitas. This modern library offers a variety of creature comforts for students looking for somewhere to hit the books. There are both small and large private rooms that you may reserve, comfortable seating and tables, various public computers, and other amenities such as vending machines and bathrooms.
On several occasions, I’ve booked the reading rooms without much difficulty. Although time slots may appear to be filled, if the person who reserved the room does not show up in a timely manner, you may request to rebook the room under your name by talking to the front desk staff. These study rooms range in size and function, but they all do a very good job of blocking out outside noise and providing an effective environment to really help you focus on studying.
One benefit of studying inside a library is the wealth of information stored in the shelves
around you. I was able to locate physical study materials and guides for essentially any topic I wanted, along with instant digital editions for many subjects.
San Jose City College Extension:
Coming in at a close second, the local community college extension is located just across the street from MHS. Built in 2016, the spacious facility is open to the public until 5 p.m., with both indoor and outdoor seating. This facility is much smaller than the Milpitas Library, however, so it may be a challenge to find an open seat and table. There are also private study rooms available to reserve.
The college extension’s outdoor study areas are nice and shaded with umbrellas, and bathrooms are readily accessible from these tables. There are enough seats at each table to fit up to two students studying together, so you can bring a buddy along for extra support.
For students who are taking dual enrollment courses, the extension is also open during lunchtime, where other dual-enrolled students often eat lunch and study on their own. Otherwise, the extension is available to the public after 3:30 p.m.. One benefit of studying at the extension is the free copies or prints you are allowed to make. At the Milpitas Public Library, these pages require payment either by card or cash.
Peet’s Coffee:
This franchise coffee chain is lesser known compared to its larger counterpart, Starbucks, but it still offers a nice study spot. Located within the Milpitas Town Center shopping plaza, this spot offers both expansive seating and freshly brewed coffee drinks. However, refills of drinks are not complimentary and require a small fee to be consumed during each visit.
This location is within a 10-minute drive from the high school and is best utilized on Wednesdays, when students have two and a half hours after school to study, since the store closes at 5:00 PM. Afterwards, students also have easy access to takeout locations and sit-down restaurants to feed the brain after a long study session.
Overall, students can utilize these venues to help prepare for finals and hopefully score better on their exams. Even though these are my personal recommendations, there may be more niche locations that tailor to specific students’ needs. I encourage students to do their own research and see what works best for them.
