Most students know the prominent locations in Singapore where they can attend classes. You have a favourite study location, a coffee shop, a fast food restaurant, or a library branch. These locations have been tried and true for students to do their assignments and do some revision.
Students frequent each place for a variety of reasons. To better focus on their work, some students prefer to study in more serene environments. Some people appreciate background noise to help them concentrate as they look, while others prefer some other background noise.
However, they all share that these are the usual locations for students to complete their homework. You might find groups of students already seated if you go to one of these traditional study locations after school or on the weekends. Similar to going to the movies, pupils who arrived earlier than you would have already occupied the best seats in the house. And as you are aware, it takes students a very long time to leave their prime location (together with all their belongings).
This article has compiled a selection of unusual locations for you to study in Singapore. Before getting into it, we’ll list the areas where students have been looking in the past.
Alternatively, you can go straight to the list of unusual study locations.
The Most Popular Study Spots in Singapore
Home
It makes sense to study in the comfort of your own home. You can be as quiet as you want or play some background music. We favour classical music because it enhances our ability to focus. If you get hungry, there’s a refrigerator, and if you want to sleep in the afternoon, there’s a bed.
However, studying at home may only be the most productive if you have much self-discipline, given these nearby distractions.
School Library
The school library is one of the most well-liked venues for students to study. You can focus on your job because it is a quiet environment. You may look for hours in the library without worrying about loud individuals picking the seats next to you, unlike when you study in a cafe. The school librarian may kick out disruptive students.
The benefit of doing homework at the school library is saving time on your commute. Large tables and comfortable chairs are available at libraries and are particularly helpful for studying. The school library also has a large selection of books and learning materials relevant to what you are learning (or what you will be learning soon). Entering the school library instantly makes entering into a study mindset easier.
Public Library
Public libraries offer an environment conducive to learning, just like school libraries do. Without having to buy new drinks frequently, students can spend hours there. Public libraries have become the preferred location for students on weekends when the school library is closed.
Seats are scarce and can run out by early afternoon in smaller libraries. Many students are aware of this and make it a point to visit the library as soon as possible. When you go to the library in a small group, you can alternate watching over each other’s possessions, especially when someone wants to use the restroom.
In Singapore, there are several public libraries, most of which are conveniently situated in housing developments. If there is a library close to your study or residence, you can take a fast stroll there while getting some exercise. Thanks to the free wireless internet, you may quietly talk to your buddies across the table without saying a word.
Fast Food Establishment
Some students prefer to study in active areas, preferably somewhere a little livelier than the library. The best option is a fast food establishment. You can eat your dinner and study at the same time. Alternatively, if you’re not hungry, order a drink. Time seems to flow more swiftly because of the restaurant’s steady stream of patrons entering and leaving.
Always be aware of the fast-food restaurant’s policies when studying there, especially during busy times. If patrons are waiting for a seat, consider sharing your table with them or giving up your place and returning later. Be kind, and don’t take up more seats than are required.
Cafe
Does the aroma of just-ground coffee help you stay focused? If so, you might find it helpful to study in cafes. You would soon become used to the background noise, even though it might sometimes get a little noisy. Ideally, you are not seated next to someone who would start chatting on the phone loudly and for an extended period.
In the background, upbeat music is frequently played in cafes to keep you motivated and focused. However, if the theme differs from your taste, you may always plug in your earbuds and listen to anything else. You would be overwhelmed with options, given the wide variety of cafes that have opened up in Singapore over the past several years. Several public libraries feature a restaurant on the premises, allowing you to travel between study areas.
Unusual Locations for Students to Complete Their Work
Traditional study locations like libraries and cafes are getting busier these days. Getting a seat at these well-liked study locations has become a game of chance.
You might even run across a former classmate or a close friend when you visit these locations. Or perhaps one of your teachers—sorry, lecturers—we’re about to add a few more places you should avoid.
The good news for students, however, is that we will provide you with suggestions for potential locations for your upcoming study session. Some of these locations don’t require you to drastically alter your routine (e.g. studying at the gym). To get to other places, you need to make an extra effort.
Here are some other locations for studying:
- While Travelling To & Fro from School
- Empty Classroom
- Tutoring Facility
- Communal Areas
- Co-Studying Space
- Changi Airport
- Food Court
- Park
- Gym
- Friend’s Place
1. Travelling To & Fro From School
Does getting to school require a long bus ride? If so, consider finding a seat, getting out some revision manuals, and reviewing what you have learned. One effective method of multitasking and improving time management is that.
The rear of the upper deck is where we choose to sit on the bus. People prefer to sit on the lower deck when the bus is empty (particularly on the way home from school). Because of this, the upper deck is generally quieter, which makes it easier for you to focus while travelling.
Due to its instability, there are better places to complete written assignments than the bus. Additionally, during the morning rush hour, finding a seat on the train is challenging. You can read a short book or listen to an audiobook during the lengthy journey. Just be careful to stay focused and attend your stop.
2. Empty Classroom in School
Many classrooms are unoccupied after school as pupils head home or visit a cafe or library. You may have the entire classroom to yourself if your school permits you to use it after the regular school day has ended.
You can still easily access your institution’s resources (e.g. your school library and teachers who organise drop-in sessions after class). Your locker is right around the corner, so you do not need to carry your bulky textbooks home.
Students can reserve lecture halls or classrooms in certain institutions for group study sessions. Whiteboards and projectors are typically installed in these spaces to encourage group conversations. Students who plan their study sessions become more self-assured and take greater responsibility for their education.
At the end of the school day, specific classrooms are locked. Consider requesting special permission from your teacher to use the room. Or pick one of the other out-of-the-ordinary study locations listed below.
3. Tutoring Facility
Due to the strong demand, tuition centres can be located across Singapore. It should be no surprise that 7 out of 10 parents have enrolled their kids in tuition-paying classes. According to a study of 500 parents conducted in 2015 by The Straits Times,
Singapore has a large number of tuition centres. Thus, some are becoming more inventive to distinguish themselves from the crowd. Some tuition centres have designated spaces for students to wait for their session to stand out from competing institutions. Students can complete their homework or review material they have already learned in class in these study areas.
You might always ask to borrow their extra tables and chairs at smaller tuition centres without a designated study area. Some tutoring facilities don’t object if you bring a friend to use the study area because it’s free advertising for them. Therefore, even if you are not enrolled in any tuition classes, you undoubtedly have a friend who is.
4. Communal Areas
In Singapore, numerous areas are designated for communal gatherings, and the community centre is one case in point. The community centre offers engaging lessons for all age groups, including painting classes for small children and baking seminars for homemakers.
Some community centres feature designated spaces for pupils to study after school or on weekends. Depending on the location, you might have to sign in at the counter before accessing the study area. Remember to be considerate to those around you by keeping your voice down if you are in a quiet neighbourhood.
When exams are approaching, these spaces may get crowded. Consider visiting a study area at the closest void deck if studying at the community centre isn’t your thing. Additionally, centres run by the Residents’ Committee (RC) welcome students during the exam period. You can find another favourite study spot if you check out other public areas in your neighbourhood.
5. Co-Studying Space
Students can do their assignments in an office-like setting in co-studying areas. You can rent a heated desk to finish your homework or study for tests for a bit of cost.
Co-studying spaces have proliferated in Singapore in recent years. You can pay to use an unorthodox study space because many are found in rural areas. You can join up for a monthly membership at some co-working locations to have unlimited access to a hot desk, while others only charge by the hour.
Co-working and co-studying spaces share many similarities. For instance, these areas frequently provide charging stations for each desk and wireless internet access. Most co-studying spaces offer printing services if you have an urgent printing demand. Within these common areas, there are conference rooms where students can discuss their group projects.
Some co-studying areas have a well-stocked pantry with food and drinks, implying you can get a snack or beverage without leaving the building. Walk a little distance to the nearby coffee maker, and remember to confirm that the price includes food and drink.
Several of these co-studying areas are integrated into co-working areas, and students are encouraged to network with the professionals co-working there. Additionally, it helps students become accustomed to working in a team atmosphere—and scenarios they might encounter once they enter the industry.
6. Changi Airport
Okay, so it’s not quite a secret, but it still qualifies as one of the unusual places to study in Singapore. Students travel a long distance to Changi Airport to complete their tasks. Some students believe that you must engage in this activity at least once while you are a student.
Although remote, Changi Airport could give you the impression that you’re travelling abroad. That may lessen the tension associated with studying. Before beginning the following homework, you can gaze out the window and observe aeroplanes take off from the runway.
There are additional possibilities available now that Jewel Changi Airport has opened since March 2019. Just be mindful of the passing of time, as the airport is open 24/7. Leave early so you can get the appropriate rest and be refreshed for the following day.
7. Food Court
Consider heading to a food court if studying in a cafe puts too much strain on your wallet. Because most are air-conditioned, you can comfortably indulge in those mental-demanding activities in Singapore’s food courts.
Although the tables are periodically cleaned, you might choose to wipe them down with some wet tissues before you begin studying if you’re concerned. You can choose healthier foods when you look at a food court rather than a fast food restaurant.
When meals are not being served, food courts are typically relatively vacant. If you time it right, you might spend a couple of hours there. Get a drink since you would want to be something other than a freeloader since someone is running a business. The food court could be a better location on this list, but it works. Avoid going here around lunch and dinner time because it can get packed and boisterous.
In contrast to a library or study area, a food court does not need silence. As a result, you may assemble friends to help you study and complete your homework. You can satisfy your hunger while maintaining your academic focus at a food court. A bowl of ice kacang, a refreshing treat made of shaved ice, is another excellent place to catch up with friends. That accomplishes three goals at once.
8. Park
Consider studying in a space without four solid boundaries, such as a park or garden. In Singapore, most parks are furnished with study-friendly tables and seats. Alternatively, you might bring a portable desk and set up shop in this outlandish study space.
As you are outside in the afternoon, it can get a little warm. The park gets colder in the evening and gets livelier at that time. We advise visiting the park in the late afternoon on a workday, as the park will be less crowded and more relaxed.
Your eyes occasionally need a break from the small print on your textbook, so you gaze at the distant foliage. You can learn more effectively by working more efficiently and more attentively outside. Flipping through the pages of your reference materials and taking notes while studying in the park also provides Vitamin D (from sunlight exposure).
There are soft background noises like birds tweeting and wind-rustling leaves. Secure loose sheets of paper to prevent the wind from sweeping your finished assignments. Keep a bottle of water on you at all times to stay hydrated. Put on sunscreen to shield your skin from UV rays and bug repellent to keep mosquitoes away.
9. Gym
Utilise your time more effectively by working out and studying simultaneously. Your mind is more attentive as your heartbeat quickens. You could tackle a few mathematics puzzles while taking a break from your training. Before beginning the subsequent activity, you could also read your review notes.
Some fitness centres have begun repositioning themselves as “active co-working spaces.” In between exercises, students and professionals can complete their work at one of the hotdesks. Do you need more time to work out twice a week? That’s no longer an acceptable defence.
Recently, it has become more common to study in a gym. Climbers have been observed doing their schoolwork near the rock wall while resting between ascents. We’ve also observed individuals reading while riding stationary bikes or treadmills. When studying at a gym, remember to take care of your security. Additionally, avoid any nearby heavy equipment and other gym patrons.
10. Friend’s Place
When there is no one watching you while you study alone, it might sometimes feel like you are doing nothing. Consider looking at a friend’s place if distractions at home become an issue for you. You never know; your friend might be having the same problem. Working with your friend toward a shared objective wouldn’t be a bad idea.
You and your companion may help hold each other accountable while you study together. By looking at your friend’s house, you can avoid going online and running the danger of becoming sidetracked.
If you need assistance with your schoolwork, talk to a friend. After all, while your friend may excel in some topics, you excel in others. You might even identify the subjects and ideas that you struggle with. This enables you to concentrate on your areas of weakness to avoid getting behind too much.
However, why can’t you study with your pal in another location? You’re right, but most of the other out-of-the-ordinary places on this list are public areas. It would help if you respected the operating hours, and a seat is not assured. You and your friend have more control over the noise level when you study in each other’s homes. You can wander around or occasionally go outside without worrying about losing your seats.
Begin by casually enquiring if you two can study together with a close friend. Going to your buddy’s residence can be suggested by your friend. Alternatively, introduce the concept to them by forwarding this article.
Remember to repay the favour by inviting your buddies to your home for a study session. This is an excellent approach to developing deeper friendships and assisting one another in getting better scores.
Change Where You Study Today
The majority of known study locations are already crowded with other like-minded pupils. You could start by attempting one of the unusual study locations discussed above. You may feel excited and more motivated to learn after exploring a new setting.
You can even stumble onto a more unusual hidden gem if you think beyond the box. Please let us know if using these unique study locations has benefited your learning.
PfTuition not only offers great tuition but encourages students to use any available study areas within our premises for their own learning. We hope such efforts will help students to pursue their journey for studying further.