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The semester of your medical studies is slowly but surely coming to an end. The first exams are coming up soon and you are starting to think about your study plan. During the exam phase, you are usually busy studying all day. It is therefore extremely important for you and your performance to find out in which environment you can study best. The question naturally arises as to whether it makes more sense to study in the library or at home.
The two camps are evenly balanced, with many medical students swearing by the library as the perfect place to study, while others claim to be able to concentrate better at their desk at home. To help you find the right place to study, here is a comparison of the two options.
Learning in the library - pros and cons
The library, affectionately known as the "Bib", is for many the purest learning paradise and thousands of students swear by it as the perfect place to study. It has both advantages and disadvantages. Libraries around the world differ enormously in some cases, but the basic principle is more or less the same everywhere. They offer fixed and regulated study times, a place to work or study outside of your own four walls, which definitely makes it easier for you to separate study and leisure time.
Distractions also always play a huge role in learning. This is another plus point for the library, as there are comparatively few distractions here. However, it also takes a little self-discipline to simply switch your mobile phone to flight mode or, ideally, simply switch it off. We all know that it is THE concentration killer. The fact that you're usually only with fellow students or like-minded people who are hungry to learn in the library also increases your own urge to be productive immensely!
On the other hand, there are points such as long journey times, no real guarantee of space, comparatively high noise levels and, unfortunately, mostly uncomfortable chairs and definitely bad air. Of course, all of this varies from library to library and from city to city, so you may have more or less luck with your library. But the bottom line from my point of view is that the library atmosphere can have a positive effect on your productivity if you let it.
Learning at home - pros and cons
So what are the pros and cons of learning at home?
Sure, you're far more flexible with your schedule at home, there's no travelling, no jostling for the best seats, no noise, more comfortable seating and usually better air. It all sounds much, much better, right? "Why even have this discussion?" you ask yourself. All these points in favour of studying at home can be your downfall in no time at all. You're too flexible, shift your study times back and forth wildly, aren't really disciplined, get distracted far too easily and procrastinate without really realising it. Here you are vacuuming the flat, there you are doing some small job that doesn't take priority. And then the day is over and you haven't really got anything done. Learning-wise, of course.
As you can see, this decision depends enormously on you and the type of learner you are. It's not possible to make a general recommendation here, but for my part I prefer the library for effective learning during the exam phase. But you have to try it out for yourself. In any case, I recommend that you get one or at most two very good study buddies with whom you make an appointment, go to the library together or meet up at home to study. Of course, the risk of distraction is always higher with two people, but this also requires self-discipline. There are clear agreements, clearly defined study times and breaks. Everything has to be organised and well-timed.
Conclusion
So I recommend you try everything, go to the library, in pairs, alone, leave your mobile phone at home, take it with you and switch on flight mode. Meet up at home or with a friend, try to study alone at home. You need to find the perfect place and the perfect way for you personally. But don't worry, it will happen faster than you think. However, you need to be open to new things and try out all the possibilities.
Small setbacks and learning blocks are normal, bring variety into your learning routine. Otherwise, it may well happen that your body gets used to only being productive at the one desk where you always study and you feel that you can hardly concentrate outside of this area. Learning to study properly also takes time, so don't stress yourself out. Everything comes with time, you can do it! I promise you, once you've found the perfect learning routine for you, you'll even start to enjoy it, and lo and behold, all of a sudden the whole learning thing will be a lot less stressful for you. Studying medicine abroad Even a little fun.
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