What about us then? Are we just too pampered? I choose to believe so. However, I am not going to ditch you and your dilemma. There is always a will.

Firstly, you have to identify your study pattern. You have to locate and connect with that side of you which is most productive and attentive whilst studying. Think about the conditions you favour being in. Perhaps you are the kind who likes to be alone whilst you revise your notes but when its time to practice your math sums, you enjoying being around loud music. That’s me actually.

Maybe you are the kind who loves organizing study groups with two or more friends to ensure internal motivation moving around you and there is some work done ultimately. Studying in small groups can be fun and competitive but it can get distracting and time-casting as well. You have to make sure its balanced out well.

There are some students who study best in weird situations- hot and stuffy rooms, under the block or crowded places like Mc’ Donald’s. With all due respect, I still do wonder sometimes, how these places can be conducive to studying. Anyhow, it’s your style and you should be comfortable.

There are also some of you who wished you could just study at home- save the trouble of scouting for a place to study outside. But things are just not falling into place and you are not producing your best, being at home.

Ask yourself what is bothering you? You could be procrastinating. There will be noise everywhere; you have to learn to ignore it. When you have decided to study, you have to be disciplined enough to learn to disregard these small distractions and mind traps.

You can try to communicate with your family and discuss with them alternatives that they will feel comfortable with as well. You have to pick one constant area to study- perhaps your study table. Keep your study-table clean and free from small distractions (pamphlets, magazines, etc). Maintaining a little timetable helps a great deal to make sure you get the best out of your studying. Caution you family in advance that you will be spending two hours or so to concentrate. Don’t worry about the noise level because what is more important is how you deal with your mind and focus.

For those who really cant study at home for whatever reasons, I would advice you to try staying in school or using the library. The library is a great environment for learning and your school has ample of spots you can choose to study. Most school’s in Singapore close at about 6pm which means morning session students have ample time in their hands. For afternoon session students, you can either get up early in the mornings and head to school early or plan out and utilise free periods that usually come in handy for studying.

No one ever said that studying must only be done at home. You are the one studying so you decide where you want it to be done, taking into consideration things like safety and money spending spots. Habits take time to be formed and if you start analysing your best study patterns now, it will only benefit you with better grades in future.