When compared to a library or a study lab, there are a number of advantages and disadvantages to studying at home. Some people learn better at home, it may be easier to access a computer, and it is easier to stop for a drink or something to eat. However, there are some drawbacks to home study, such as a higher risk of distractions and a lack of access to library resources.
Many people prefer to study at home rather than in a library or workspace that is dedicated to students. This is usually a matter of personal preference, as well as other obligations that require a person to be at home. However, there are some inherent advantages and disadvantages to home study that should be considered by anyone who has a choice of where to study.
One of the most significant advantages of studying at home is that some people simply learn better in a more relaxed setting. While some students prefer to sit at a table in a potentially uncomfortable chair in a library, others may find that sitting on a couch in their own home is preferable. Other students may be present in libraries and study labs, all attempting to use the same resources at the same time. This can make using a computer or other public device difficult, especially near the end of a school term, when using someone’s computer is typically easier.
Studying at home also allows you to start and stop more easily, especially when you need to get something to drink or eat. At home, a person may be able to get food by simply walking into the next room. However, someone studying in a library is likely to have to pack up his or her study materials and leave the building entirely to find something to eat.
However, there are some drawbacks to studying at home, such as the increased likelihood of distractions. Television, movies, music, video games, roommates, family, and a plethora of other distractions can all be found in a home, but not in a library or similar setting. There are also some resources that can only be accessed from a library, such as microfiche records, that cannot be accessed from a person’s home. However, as more information is transferred to digital formats that can be accessed through a computer in a person’s home, this concern is lessened.