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Why You Should Start Doing Homework at the Library

4 reasons to start doing homework at the library.

It seems like kids have so much homework these days and their afternoon can turn into an overextended study session pretty quickly. With all of these assignments, it’s especially important for students to be able to study efficiently, complete their assignments, and move on to other activities. One of the best ways for students to achieve this is to work in an environment free from distraction. This might be from noise, social media, or just general distractions in the environment. The library is one of the best places for students to find the research material they need and complete their assignments without too much trouble – our private Los Angeles tutors are here to help you with your studies.

1. A quiet environment

Libraries provide a quiet environment where students are unlikely to be exposed to noise above a whisper. This helps them focus on the task in front of them and helps them concentrate on the difficult material. Students can work at a traditional desk, or they can relax in stuffed chairs and couches while reading books for school. Also, most libraries have a children’s section with a study environment more appropriate for kids in K through 2nd grade. In many instances, students can get their assignments done much quicker if they have an environment that specifically meant for studying.

2. Homework help

A library is also a great place for students to work with their study group or a tutor. Libraries have lots of private study rooms that can be reserved in advance and allow students a more private environment where they can talk at a normal level and work through a study guide or assignment. These spaces are especially helpful to middle and high school students who are going to be working with more advanced material or studying for lengthy exams. It’s also an ideal environment for students to meet their tutor and talk about the subject of the day (READ: Things Students Can do to Improve Their Grade in English ).

3. Research material

Although many students can access some materials online on their home computer, libraries offer students some academic materials rarely available online. Students can also access these materials free of charge with their library card instead of paying to purchase or rent them from a home computer. If students prefer to use their personal computer, they can certainly set themselves up at one of the study spaces and enjoy the library’s Wi-Fi. Students tend to get less distracted and complete assignments quicker when they have all the research material they need right at their fingertips.

4. Encourage literacy

Learning to read is one of the most difficult things a child will do, but it’s also one of the most important. When kids visit the library to do their homework, they are also exposed to a ton of fun reading material appropriate for their grade level. Students who get to try out different books are more likely to be excited about the prospect of improving their reading skills and can start to view the activity as something fun rather than a chore. Whether kids read-only while they’re at the library or take one or two books home to read during the week, visiting the library is a great way to encourage literacy and increase any child’s love of learning in general.

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How to Study at the Library

Last Updated: March 14, 2024 References

This article was co-authored by Ted Coopersmith, MBA . Ted Coopersmith is an Academic Tutor for Manhattan Elite Prep, a test prep and academic tutoring company based in New York City. In addition to general academic advising, Ted has expertise in preparing for the ACT, SAT, SSAT, and ASVAB tests. He also has over 30 years of financial controller advising and consulting experience. He holds a BA from the City University of New York (CUNY) and an MBA from Pace University. This article has been viewed 100,760 times.

Studying at the library can help many students focus better, especially if their only other option is to study in a noisy home or residence hall. Library study is also handy for groups of students who want to study together. The methods used when studying in a group at the library vary slightly from those used when studying alone.

Tips for Studying at the Library

• Bring your computer only if absolutely necessary. Some students prefer taking notes on their computer, or some may have digital copies of their textbooks, making a computer or e-reader necessary. If these tools are not essential, though, leave them at your place of residence. Otherwise, they will only serve as distractions.

• If your library only has large meeting rooms available, you may not be able to reserve these for individual studying purposes.
• Note that many libraries offer their study rooms on a first come, first served basis. Essentially, if you arrive at the library and a room is open, you can use it. There may or may not be a time limit in these instances, but the librarian may ask you to leave if you do not appear to be working and others are waiting to use the room.

Studying with a Group

• As with individual study, make sure to bring any textbooks, notebooks, and past assignments need to study for the class or subject you plan on studying with your group. Also bring fresh notebook paper, pens, and highlighters.

• For exceptionally large groups, you may want to consider asking about using a large meeting room at the library. These rooms tend to have stricter conditions placed on them.
• Use an open meeting room if the library will allow it. If a meeting room is not reserved by a group, some libraries may allow you and your study group to meet in there, especially if all the study rooms and other study areas are filled.

Expert Q&A

• Keep your voices down. Even on a floor that is not designated as a quiet floor, you still need to keep your voices down, even if you are actively studying for a class with other group-mates. If you get too loud, you may get a warning from the librarian. If you continue to stay too loud, you may even be asked to leave. Thanks Helpful 8 Not Helpful 1
• Listen to music only if it helps you concentrate. Some people study better with music while others study better in silence. If you do decide to bring an iPod or mp3 player, wear ear buds or headphones and keep the volume low so that others do not need to hear the music, as well. Thanks Helpful 4 Not Helpful 0
• Set a time limit for yourself. If you know that your study time is limited to a specific stretch of time, you might find it easier to focus during that time. You can even schedule breaks for yourself if you think it will help keep your mind fresh during that time. Thanks Helpful 4 Not Helpful 1

Things You’ll Need

• Laptop computer
• Pens or pencils
• Highlighters

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://thehappyarkansan.com/blog/how-to-study-library/
• ↑ Ted Coopersmith, MBA. Academic Tutor. Expert Interview. 12 May 2021.
• ↑ https://collegeinfogeek.com/create-study-space/
• ↑ https://www.minuteschool.com/2019/01/which-floor-of-the-library-is-right-for-you/
• ↑ http://library.gmu.edu/studyrooms/

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Homework Help in the Library: What’s it All About?

Does your public library provide homework support for teens? Chances are the answer is “yes.” Many (or most) public library websites offer a homework help section, full of links to databases, websites, and librarian-approved search engines. You may offer other homework support services as well, like subscriptions to student-friendly databases, a collection of print materials specifically for school assignments, or special programs (for example, late night hours during exam times) for studiers. Some public librarians work hard to connect with teachers and media specialists in order to learn what’s happening in the classroom and supplement and support what’s happening in the schools.

On its face, homework support is a positive and obvious service for a public library to offer. School libraries are not usually open late in the day, which means students often need a place to work on homework and access resources. As a publicly funded institution, shouldn’t the public library be spending some of its dollars on homework-related activities that complement what happens in the school library and the classroom? Perhaps we take public library homework support for granted and need to start asking questions about how it works and the purpose it serves. For example, consider the following:

• Do teens really take advantage of the homework support libraries provide? Are teens using the web resources provided by the public library? Do they use most of the print materials available in the library’s physical collection purchased specifically as homework help?
• Are the services that public libraries provide teens in the homework realm what teens really need? How does the librarian know?
• When a library provides homework help on the web – usually a list of links sometimes organized by category – who is this really provided for? Teens, parents, teachers, anyone searching the web online?
• Why do public libraries provide homework support? Is it because everyone else does it? Is it because they say in library school that public libraries need to provide homework support to teens? Have you really asked yourself that question?

We propose that there is a belief that public libraries have to provide homework support because everyone else does. It’s just a given. Perhaps there is also an assumption that other libraries’ programs are working well; therefore, if a homework help program isn’t enjoying much success, a librarian might feel as though those failures are indicative of a challenge specific to their own community or library. But, what if no (or very few) public libraries have successful homework support programs for teens? And, how does anyone know if the homework support is successful? Are there specific evaluation measures implemented for that kind of thing?

What are the hallmarks of excellent homework support? Perhaps for the answer we should look to schools. This is where one starts to realize that homework support might not fit into the public library as most think that it does. Looking toward schools, we see that that excellent support requires a strong knowledge of what students are learning in class. The school librarian should be meeting with teachers on a regular basis and examining the school curriculum; the public librarian does not have the chance to do this (at least not as consistently as the school librarian). While a public library can do its best to offer a collection of materials for students, the reality is that these cannot be tailored to students’ needs in the same way that a school collection can.

Homework support must also be assessed through the examination of students’ skill building; again, public librarians do not have the opportunity to do this, as they do not spend the same amount of time with students – nor do they observe students doing the same activities. For example, a public librarian might observe a student finding and reading materials; a school librarian will have the opportunity to observe (and guide) search strategies, information analysis, topic refining, note-taking, information synthesis, and even writing. Without knowing the exact needs of the student – including their individual challenges and strengths – it is very difficult to provide the best services possible.

Finally, are public libraries asking teens if they want or need homework support? Again, this gets back to the idea that public libraries might offer these services simply because it is an expectation. But without teen input, librarians may find themselves spinning their wheels, spending money and staff time on materials and programs that are underused, and building websites that are rarely visited. All of this can feel discouraging.

We’ve got one more post on this topic in the works and in that post we will explore types of homework help that work and ways that libraries can move forward in supporting teen homework needs successfully.

Until then: what do you think? Does homework support belong in the public library? What’s been your experience offering this service? If you’re a school librarian, what do you think are the best ways to support students in their information gathering and studying?

We look forward to hearing your thoughts.

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9 Thoughts on “ Homework Help in the Library: What’s it All About? ”

The public library’s role in homework help is not singular, and many teens do need and do use the public library for these particular aspects of homework support: space that is convivial for group work on evenings and weekends; public space that can give them the privacy and “away” time they may need from crowded homes in order to concentrate without outlay of cash; nonjudgmental staff who can’t influence their final grade, no matter how much “help” is needed to round up the information that they feel will satisfy their homework needs; access to an adult who has sufficient academic English to be able to communicate (if only by listening and asking clarifying questions) about an assignment. Public libraries don’t provide high level expert advice on investing, but they are the “right place” for those with investment concerns to bring some of their work; same goes for students with assignments that, homework being what it is, requires them to investigate outside the classroom.

Hi Francisca, I think we’re much on the same page here. One thing Linda and I have talked a lot about – and will discuss in our next post – is how public libraries CAN best support teens when it comes to homework, and all of the things you mention above are exactly what we discussed. I think where we are being a bit more critical (that is probably too strong a word, but I just mean looking with a critical eye) is with public libraries trying to provide the *same* services as school libraries – via homework help sites, database access, and a print collection – which, frankly, isn’t really possible. But in terms of supporting teens as they study, offering a comfortable, friendly place where they can work alone or with friends, and even answering research questions, these are all excellent services. Sarah

We have a very successful homework help/tutoring program at our library. It’s a partnership with the local high school campus (which actually contains three high schools) – the members of their National Honor Society provide homework help/tutoring for K-12 students at the library three nights a week during the school year (they’re also at the other public library utilized by our school system two nights a week). The NHS tutors are busy almost all the time and we’ve had an overwhelmingly positive response to the program. We sometimes have more people than they can help, in fact, though they handle it pretty well. We’ve made it a fairly self-sustaining program with the burden of timing and so forth on the NHS tutors, so the staff commitment is minimal. It’s been a great partnership and really fills a need that our staff would otherwise be unable to address.

Providing homework help in the form of resources, space and helpful staff is core to a public library mission. We are an essential piece of the after school support network. We provide online resources, online tutoring, 24\7 information, group workspace, computers, books, and other tools for teens to use.

@Anne – that sounds like a great program. I tried to offer a similar program in my last position, at a public library, and struggled to help the students with their work; at the time I thought “it would be great to have peer tutors,” but that seemed like such a daunting task and I didn’t have time to come up with a plan before I left. Thanks for sharing that – it sounds like it’s very successful and a great way to support teens.

@Mary – how are all of those resources being used? I’m especially curious about the online resources, tutoring, and 24/7 information. Do you find that a lot of teens are taking advantage of those tools? Do you work with the schools to select books and online resources? Thanks!

I think what materials (and possibly even if) a public library offers in terms of homework support is largely dependant upon what the school or school system offers. After geneology researchers, high school students were the biggest users of our online services until 3-4 years ago. At that point the public schools in my area started offering the same—and in some cases like the hard sciences even superior—–resources to their students. Not surprisingly, usage of a number of our online products dropped significantly and we have been considering cuts in those areas. There have been talks lately about trying to partner with the public school system so we don’t duplicate quite as many services, but it’s hard because historically there has been little cooperation between the two very separate agencies.

It would be hard for us to get rid of the resources at this point, though, because I know a number of small private schools and homeschoolers in the area really depend on us providing access to the digital content.

Matt, you bring up some really interesting points and what really strikes me is the need to continually evaluate what’s going on in the community in terms of homework help for students and determine on a regular basis what needs to continue and what needs to change.

The comment about homeschoolers and private schools is a good one and I guess I’d still want to know how much/many of the resources are used by that group? I do know that those can be important populations for a library community so having resources for them is key. But, are there still resources and formats that could be re-thought and that population would still be served successfully?

The school/library cooperation piece is really central in this discussion. If librarians from the school and the library can work together to make sure that there is overlap only when it makes sense and figure out exactly who offers what in the ways that support teen learning then it’s a win-win for everyone. I’m curious Matt, have you and your colleagues started to brainstorm ways to break down some of the barriers that exist in order to provide homework support in the ways necessary? If so, it would be great to read about some of the ideas.

Our local school districts (and we serve 15 districts) have pretty much dismantled their database collections, leaving the public library as the only source for periodical access, and in too many cases, even reference materials like “opposing viewpoints”. We know teachers are using thier cards to provide access to these resources in classrooms and in school libraries. We absolutely have to look at how it is and isn’t appropriate for us to support students, but that’s happening in an environment where schools and school libraries aren’t able to support student’s *classroom* needs, let alone their homework needs.

I’m very sensitive to the truth that students need school libraries, and that the public library isn’t, can’t and shouldn’t be a substitute. We tread very carefully when we’re asked to come in to a school that’s lost its library, in order to promote what resources we do have. But the kids are between a rock and a hard place, and the kids are the priority.

Sarah, kids are the priority and the focus should be on how we help them to succeed no matter what.

I’m curious in your system, do you find that students/teens are using the homework help resources from databases to print materials to web links? How are the librarians you work with succeeding in making good connections between teens and those materials?

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Studying in the Library or at Home: What is Better for You?

Updated: June 19, 2024

Published: October 29, 2019

Studying in the library or at home both present pros and cons. You should conduct a comparative analysis and select an option with the best benefits.

Selecting the location for the study is very important for study motivation and academic success. The appropriate location choice is either the library or at home, depending on your preference. While students prefer the library because it is an academic-based environment, others prefer the comfort of studying at home.

A comparative analysis reveals that although studying in a library has perks, studying at home is more suitable for students. However, it is your choice, and we’ll outline the pros and cons of studying in the library or at home to help you select what is better.

Studying in a Library

If you are experiencing trouble focusing in your home environment, you may consider studying at your campus or public library. Libraries are institutions set aside for learning; as such, they offer an academic and studying-friendly environment where you can focus on your studies. Let’s explore the advantages and disadvantages of studying in a library to determine whether it is appropriate for your learning style.

Here are some great benefits of studying in a library.

• Academic access:  Libraries are academic-centered environments that give you academic access  to diverse educational resources reserved for research and studies. Besides books, journals, and magazines, modern libraries also have internet services and computers where you can access online articles and study resources.
• Limited distractions:  Everyone attending a library must observe library etiquette, such as observing silence and limiting speech to whispers. Therefore, libraries offer a quiet space with limited distractions, which provides a suitable study environment.
• Social place: Whether or not you decide to interact with people around you in the library, it still provides a social environment that brings people together. However, you can also choose to speak to the people around you during your study break or engage in group discussions if allowed within the library. A library is also one of the best places to make friends with people you share similar or related academic interests.
• Ability to ask for assistance: Having several people surround you in a library offers an advantage when you want to ask for help dealing with an academic problem. For instance, if you are studying for algebra examinations, you can request a classmate near you to help you solve an algebra problem.

Disadvantages

Despite the benefits, there are some disadvantages of studying at a library, including;

• Crowding:  It’s rare to find yourself as the only person studying in a library, and having people around creates many distractions. Campus libraries are often filled with students during examination periods and peak hours. Public libraries attract students, families, children, and researchers, especially during weekends.
• Time Limits: You must check and leave libraries within a specific time. Libraries are inconvenient for people who like to study very early or very late because they are closed.
• Meals:  Depending on the library, you may or may not be allowed to carry and eat food within its premises. Libraries that allow food have cafes or vending machines with limited food options, requiring one to carry food.
• Luggage and Transportation: You may need to pack books, paper, stationery, a laptop, food, and water in your bag when going to the library. Depending on the library location, you may have to walk or take a means of transportation to get to the library.

Studying at Home

If you are comfortable and feel safe at home, you may find it the best place to relax and break free from the monotony of school. It may also offer a suitable studying environment that is free from the classroom and school distractions. Let’s explore the advantages and disadvantages of studying at home to determine whether it is the appropriate environment for your learning style.

You will find the following advantages if you decide to study from home.

• Everything at your disposal: Studying at home gives you access to all study material without worrying about forgetting something. You may also find it even more convenient if you have a personal computer with access to the internet.
• Personalized study space:  In your home, you have the freedom to decide and design your study space. You can determine what chair or table and decide whether you will study in your room or the basement.
• Commute: When studying at home, you do not need to  commute to the library , saving you time and money. You also spare yourself the burden of having to pack and carry books, laptops, and stationery to the library.
• 24/7 study: An advantage of studying at home is that you can wake up anytime during the day or night to study, unlike in the library, where you have to observe checking and closing hours.
• Productivity: Provided you have a cooperative family that stays quiet, you can focus on your studies without distractions. They can also assist you in completing your assignments. You also have the opportunity to multitask and engage in household chores to remain productive during study breaks.

Despite its conveniences, studying at home presents some disadvantages, including;

• Many distractions:  If you have an uncooperative family, you will likely experience disturbance and distraction from siblings, pets, and other family members. You may also be distracted by noise from people taking or listening to music.
• Procrastination:  Having 24 hours to study at home gives you a false sense of security and extra time, which may result in procrastination . You are also likely to get distracted by sleep, eating, or listening to music which increases procrastination.

Closing Thoughts

From the comparative analysis of studying in the library or at home, it is more advisable to study at home than in the library. Studying at home presents significant advantages in terms of time and personal space and eliminates commutes, which are some of the main drawbacks of studying at the library. However, your preferences may differ, and the library also offers a conducive study space.

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A comprehensive resource to help public libraries create and manage homework centers

CHICAGO — Despite the proliferation of online homework websites and tutoring services, public libraries still have an important role to play when it comes to supporting young people’s educational needs. Public libraries that take a proactive approach—by setting up organized homework centers—have the potential to become catalysts for better performance in school, improved self-esteem, and engaged learning. Whether readers are investigating the possibility of setting up a center from scratch or are eager to revamp an existing center, Cindy Mediavilla’s “ Creating & Managing the Full-Service Homework Center ,” published by ALA Editions, shows the way forward with:

• discussion of the philosophy behind a public library homework center and its many benefits, with useful talking points for getting stakeholders on board;
• examples of model programs from across the country;
• guidance on assessing the community’s educational priorities and utilizing outcome-based planning and evaluation methods;
• pragmatic advice on how to collaborate with schools and educators to coordinate goals;
• thorough consideration of such key issues as carving out a space, setting hours, scheduling staff, and selecting and procuring educational resources;
• handy tools for a successful homework center, including sample surveys, homework helper application forms and contracts, staff and volunteer job descriptions, and focus group questions;
• advice on equipment and technology considerations; and
• methodologies for evaluation and improvement.

Mediavilla authored “Creating the Full–Service Homework Center in Your Library,” (ALA, 2001), which has been called “the quintessential guide to the practicalities of setting up a formal homework help center to provide one–to–one homework assistance to student patrons” (Intner, “Homework Help from the Library,” ix). In the early 1990s she managed a homework center, called the Friendly Stop, for the Orange (CA) Public Library, and she has been studying after–school homework programs ever since. She has published several articles on the topic and has evaluated homework programs for the Long Beach and Los Angeles public libraries. She has made presentations on homework help programs at the conferences of several major library associations, and she has also conducted many workshops on the topic.

ALA Store purchases fund advocacy, awareness and accreditation programs for library professionals worldwide. ALA Editions and ALA Neal-Schuman publishes resources used worldwide by tens of thousands of library and information professionals to improve programs, build on best practices, develop leadership, and for personal professional development. ALA authors and developers are leaders in their fields, and their content is published in a growing range of print and electronic formats. Contact ALA Editions at (800) 545-2433 ext. 5052 or [email protected].

Related Links

"Creating & Managing the Full-Service Homework Center"

"The Student’s Survival Guide to Research"

"Homework Help from the Library: In Person and Online"

Rob Christopher

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American Library Association

ALA Publishing

(312) 280-5052

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Nearly half of libraries now lend internet hotspots; 95% offer digital literacy training CHICAGO — The Public Library Association (PLA) today published the 2023 Public Library Technology Survey report. The national survey updates emerging trends around...

July 2, 2024

Hohl inaugurated 2024-2025 ALA president

Cindy Hohl, director of policy analysis and operational support at Kansas City (Mo.) Public Library, was inaugurated ALA President for 2024-2025 on Tuesday, July 2, at the ALA Annual Conference in San Diego.

May 7, 2024

ALA partners with League of Women Voters to empower voters in 2024

The American Library Association and League of Women Voters today announced a new partnership to educate and empower voters in 2024.

April 17, 2024

The TRANSFORMERS Are Ready to Roll Out for Library Card Sign-Up Month

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April 10, 2024

American Library Association Launches Reader. Voter. Ready. Campaign to Equip Libraries for 2024 Elections

Today the American Library Association (ALA) kicks off its Reader. Voter. Ready. campaign, calling on advocates to sign a pledge to be registered, informed, and ready to vote in all local, state and federal elections in 2024.

April 8, 2024

ALA kicks off National Library Week revealing the annual list of Top 10 Most Challenged Books and the State of America’s Libraries Report

The American Library Association (ALA) launched National Library Week with today’s release of its highly anticipated annual list of the Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2023 and the State of America’s Libraries Report, which highlights the ways libraries...

Pun wins 2025-2026 ALA presidency

Raymond Pun, Academic and Research Librarian at the Alder Graduate School of Education in California has been elected 2024-2025 president-elect of the American Library Association (ALA).

Homework Help in the Library

Thanks to the Teacher in the Library homework help program, students like Antonio are succeeding in school and beyond!

Where Else but the Library?

For many parents in Chicago, affordable and high-quality homework help may be hard to come by, and as students continue recovering from post-pandemic learning loss , it is more crucial than ever.

Enter Chicago Public Library’s signature Teacher in the Library (TIL) program . For more than 20 years, this donor-powered program has provided Chicago’s K-12 students with the support they need to thrive in and out of school. And it’s free and available within minutes of their schools, homes, or even online! Just last school year, more than 24,000 tutoring sessions were provided both in-person and virtually.

“I am really grateful for this program. I don’t have the money to afford private tutoring, so TIL is a blessing for my family,” says Niki Ortiz, a parent from the Bucktown branch.  

As a full-time working mother, Niki relies on Chicago Public Library for free resources and activities to help her 8-year-old son Antonio learn and enjoy fun activities like movie screenings , art workshops or story times with local leaders. So, when she discovered CPL offered free homework help, she added it to the list of reasons why she loves her Library.

“My family goes to the Library for everything. When I met Miss Terry and found out about Teacher in the Library, I told every parent I knew that this is a resource that is available to them for free in their neighborhoood branch.” Niki

Team Antonio

Antonio and Miss Terry have been working together since Niki’s initial discovery of the program two years ago. “He and his parents are there Monday through Wednesday, and without hesitation, they are one of the first families to show up,” Miss Terry says. “And he is ALWAYS ready to get his homework done.”

From math worksheets to reading comprehension to writing short essays, Antonio lays all his homework on the table and gets through them one by one with Miss Terry’s guidance. “We always do his math homework first. His teachers assign worksheets that require more steps and problem solving so they take quite a bit of time to complete,” Miss Terry says.

“Math is where he struggles more, but Miss Terry will sit there with Antonio and break things down in a way that he’ll understand. For example, if he is having trouble adding 10 and 12, she’ll physically show him 10 items and add 12 additional items. Then from there she shows him how to show his work in his book,” says Niki.

Since he started attending sessions, Antonio’s math grades have improved drastically, and he is able to tackle more challenging multiplication problems. Plus: his reading has improved to the point that he is reading beyond his second-grade class’s reading level. “He is now in the top three percentile of his class, and I really do think it’s because of this program,” says Niki.

But Miss Terry thinks it’s a team effort.

“His success is because of his hard work, yes, but I also think it’s because of the support he receives from his parents. I call them ‘Team Antonio’ because education is a team effort, and he is succeeding because he has his team there with him.” Miss Terry

Learning as a Family

Antonio’s teachers are also noticing his improvement! Niki says she receives phone calls from his teachers celebrating his work. He’s even taking what he learned and helping his classmates or other students attending TIL sessions. 

And though Antonio is the one doing most of the learning, Niki says she’s also learned a thing or two from Miss Terry. TIL’s also work closely with parents and caregivers to ensure children can complete their homework at home.

“She’s given me pointers and tips that I can use for whenever we can’t attend sessions and I need to help him with his homework,” she explains. “It’s been a while since I was in school, and his math homework is so different than the math I remember learning. Miss Terry breaks things down in a way that even I can understand and then I can teach it to Antonio.”

Assignments may change from generation to generation, but one thing remains consistent: Miss Terry and all Teachers in the Library are equipped to meet students’ needs and help them succeed.

 “Every teacher in every Library is different but they all work hard to ensure no student is behind. And I can’t stress enough that it’s a resource that is available for free, thanks to the Library and the Library Foundation, which means so much to my family.”

Way to go, Team Antonio! Thank you to Miss Terry and other Teachers in the Library for empowering our students through learning.

Teacher in the Library is a donor-powered program funded by Amazon, The Davee Foundation, Paul M. Angell Foundation, Helen M. Harrison Foundation, Sue Pick and Family (In Loving Memory of Tom Pick), the Filler-Lewis Family Endowment, Kemper Education & Charitable Fund, The Barker Welfare Foundation, The Brinson Foundation, and other generous donors to the Chicago Public Library Foundation. This program gives thousands of students the academic support they need. With your gift, we can continue to help more children and families in Chicago.

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Studying in the Library vs Studying at Home

Have you ever wondered if where you study makes a difference in how you study? Perhaps studying in the library is more effective than studying at home or vice versa. Each option offers different pros and cons. It’s important to consider each one carefully and according to your learning style before deciding on a solitary method for studying.

Studying in the Library

Image by https://neuropharmlabs.com

Studying in the library offers many benefits especially if you have trouble focusing in your home environment. It’s a quiet place in an academic setting that allows you to keep your mind centered on homework. Studying in the library may not be right for you, however. Let’s take a look at some pros and cons.

• The library is an academically centered environment and will keep your brain focused on your studies.
• It’s a great place to meet other students and form a study group.
• There are no chores within sight to distract you from studying.
• If you need to do any research, you have almost every possible book within reach.
• If you have a tendency to isolate, this is a great way to get out amongst people without having to directly socialize.
• There is usually a fairly large crowd at the library.
• There may be noise from fellow study goers.
• You have to pack up all your books, notes, laptop, etc to and from the library.
• There may be distractions from other students who might be sneaking a phone call, walking to the bathrooms, or simply coming and going.
• With no kitchen nearby, you’ll be limited to vending machines for the duration of your study trip.

There are a variety of positive and negatives to studying in the library and only you can decide if it is the right place for you.

Studying at Home

Image from www.oxfordlearning.com

Studying at home offers a unique, comfortable experience especially if you are burned out from school all day, have young children to take care of, or suffer from social anxiety. Sometimes studying at home is not the best option. Let’s, once again, look at the pros and cons.

•  You can multi-task between homework and other responsibilities.
• There’s no need to transport heavy books, notes, or computers.
• You can play music or have television playing in the background.
• Pets can come and help you study, providing much needed stress relief.
• You can study any time of day, wearing your most comfortable PJ’s.
• You can study in your own personal space with your own rules.
• There are chores that could possibly distract you from getting your work done.
• Family members or roommates might interrupt your studying.
• All the noise might not suit your style of learning.
• Sometimes pets can be a nuisance or want attention when you are super focused on your studies.
• The chances of procrastination are higher due to all the technology at hand.

In this instance, I was able to come up with more positives than negatives to studying at home. However, it should be noted I prefer studying in my own personal space, so it might have been easier to come up with that sixth pro.

You might identify strongly with one particular way of studying. Don’t be afraid to mix it up, though. If you identified stronger with the pros of studying from home perhaps you could switch it up on the weekends and study at the library on Saturdays. Alternatively, form a study group with close friends and study at the library when your group gets together.

If you find studying at the library to be a more positive experience make sure you aren’t overdoing it. Spending all of your free time on campus will likely wear you down, leaving you exhausted and burnt out. Make sure you schedule some down time to recharge those batteries.

Wherever you choose to study, make sure you are getting the most out of your session. Get a good night’s sleep each night, drink plenty of water, and utilize all the tools at your disposal for your study session, such as flashcards. Happy studying!

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10 Tips To Stay Productive While Studying At Home

When you’re at school, it’s easier to remain focused and productive than it is when you’re at home. At home, you have to do your best to avoid the lure of your phone, the TV, your laptop, your bed, and so much more! At school, many of these distractions aren’t even present. So how can any student, even the most responsible ones, study efficiently when they’re not in the school environment? 

There are a few simple things that students can do in their everyday life to make sure that they are productive while they’re working from home. If you want to be able to study hard during the day so you can have some carefree hours to yourself in the evening, check out these easy-to-implement study tips. 

1. Create a Distraction-Free Study Space

The key to studying at home is to create a space within your home that has some of the benefits of a school or library, with as few of the distractions of the home as possible. In other words, you need a nook where you can work without a TV, bed, or other distracting objects near you. 

Some students have achieved this by setting up their study space on a dining room table in their home. Others have set up a desk in the hallway so that they won’t be tempted to go to their room and sleep. Some may be able to use the common computer room or study space.

Of course, this study space doesn’t have to be barren and plain. You can have a bright and comfortable study space with color, light, and even fun things like stress balls and bean bag chairs for when you need a break. As long as this is a space where you can block out the rest of the world and spend a few hours focused on schoolwork, you can decorate and set it up however you want.

2. Follow a School-Like Schedule 

The easiest way to mimic the focus and productivity that you have in school is by working on the same schedule you would when you’re in school. Similarly to how you spend consecutive periods in different subjects during the school day, you can set a schedule for yourself that has you spend a certain amount of consecutive hours studying each subject every day. 

This routine may seem a bit odd at first since you won’t be moving around like you do when you switch classes at school. However, much like you get used to the school schedule in a few days after summer vacation, you’ll get used to the new schedule you set for yourself as well. 

The great thing about setting your own schedule is that you can create a schedule that is optimal for your study habits. You can set as many breaks as you want for as long as you want. You can give yourself as much time as you need to study each course sufficiently. Unlike school, where every study follows the same schedule, you can optimize your study-at-home schedule to fit your study needs. 

3. Dress The Part 

Remember the feeling of comfort and laziness you feel when you’re in pajamas (some of you may be feeling it right now)? Now think about the feeling of purpose and determination you can feel once you’ve showered and gotten dressed for the day? They’re very different mindsets, and you can probably guess which one is best for studying from home. 

Something as simple as getting ready in the morning as if you were going to school can really put your mind in a more determined, focused state. This can really help you get into that focused, productive mindset. In other words, if you dress the part of a focused student, you have a better chance of acting the part of a focused student. 

So when you get up in the morning, if you know you have a long day of studying ahead of you, take a shower, brush your teeth, and put on clothes as if you were going to school. You’ll likely feel refreshed, clean, and ready to tackle the day’s work. 

4. Avoid Your Bed At All Costs

Most students have fallen prey to this sneaky trap. We get tired in the middle of the day from being productive in the morning. We think we can take a small nap break. Next thing we know, we’ve slept most of the afternoon away and then wake up not wanting to do any more studying. It is so easy to do, and it can ruin what could have been a very effective study day. 

So, as a general rule, when you’re trying to study, avoid your bed as much as you can. Try to study in a chair or at a desk, where you have to sit up and pay attention. If you let yourself lie down or try to study in bed, you are guaranteed to feel sleepier and not be as productive. If you don’t really have any other space to study, try to sit on your bed a different way, away from your pillows, so you’re less tempted to fall asleep.

5. Take Breaks

There is no sense in trying to study for 10-12 hours straight if your body and mind can’t handle that. After the first few hours, you are going to get tired, and your brain won’t be able to absorb and retain information as well as it could if you were rested. At this point, you can study all you want, but you will not be studying productively. 

It’s okay to take periodic breaks during the day as often as you need to. Mind you, these won’t be long breaks. You don’t want to lose your motivation! But you can take 15 minutes here and there to clear your head, recharge, and be ready to tackle those books again at full force. 

It’s important to note that the most effective breaks are those where you get away from your study space and take your mind off of the task at hand. You’re not really going to be resting your mind if you’re still at your desk and thinking about all the assignments you have to do. Instead, walk around the house, take a short walk, get something to eat, and just clear your mind as much as you can. 

6. Form Virtual Study Groups

Who says that study groups need to be in person? In this day and age, with technologies like Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, or just a plain phone call, you can connect with your fellow classmates from the comfort of your home and help each other learn just as if you were together in class. 

There are several benefits to virtual study groups. Some video conferencing platforms allow you to record your meetings, so you can look back on the study session you and your peers had if you ever forget what was said. You can also mute yourself whenever you need to so that you can multitask, if needed. Finally, the home environment seems far less lonely and maybe even more fun when you have students like you to talk to you and compare notes with. 

If you think it’ll help your productivity, try to connect with some friends and form a virtual study group. Even if you don’t get as much out of it academically, it may be beneficial for your mental health while you’re studying at home. 

7. Get Your Other Chores Out Of The Way 

One of the most annoying things that can happen to a teenager is to be working in the zone, then to be distracted by their parents asking them to do the dishes, laundry, etc. Taking unplanned breaks during your study time to do something else can really mess up your concentration. It’s hard to get back in the zone once you’ve been pulled out of it. 

So if you know that you also need to do some household chores in addition to your math homework, try to knock the chores out either before or after your study session. This way, you won’t be constantly worried about getting them done, and you’ll be less likely to be distracted while you’re trying to study. 

8. Set Boundaries For Yourself 

If you find that you’re going to be working from home for a few days or even a few weeks, you’re going to need to make sure that you’re setting boundaries for yourself that will allow you to keep your sanity while not leaving the house. For instance, if you let yourself study for 12 hours a day for days on end, odds are that you are quickly going to get really sick of studying at home. 

Set time limits for yourself each day. Maybe you won’t start working until mid-morning so that you can go for a run and eat a healthy breakfast. Maybe you won’t work best at 6 PM since you want to spend that time with your family. If you set these boundaries for yourself, you will help keep your mental health in check. You may also find that placing time limits on your study time helps to motivate you to get more done during the hours that you are studying. Generally, the more time we give ourselves to do something, the more time we take.

You can also consider setting physical boundaries for yourself. Maybe while you’re studying, you make a deal with yourself to not go into your bedroom. This way, you won’t interact with as many things that can distract you. On the flip side, try to not dawdle in your workspace after you’re done studying for the day. And, if you need to take a break, go to another room; that way, you associate your study space with studying. 

9. Exercise Regularly 

It is well known that exercising can give your body the endorphins and serotonin that it needs to be relaxed, focused, and more productive during the day. The downside to studying at home is that you probably don’t have a gym inside your house where you can get in an intense hour-long workout. While you can’t necessarily do a full workout if you’re stuck at home, there are little exercises that you can do at home to help you be more productive. 

If you have an empty and clean space in your home, you can do floor exercises like crunches, push-ups, and jumping jacks. There are tons of YouTube videos with quick workouts, and they don’t have to be boring; there are even dance workouts! If you are in a safe neighborhood, you can go on a quick walk or run before you start exercising to get your blood pumping. And, if all else fails, walking around your house counts as more exercise than you might think. 

Overall, exercising and staying healthy will not only be good for you in the long run, but will also help your productivity in the short run.

10. Give Yourself Something To Look Forward To 

At the end of the day, if you’re truly not feeling like you’re studying your best, try to set some goals for yourself and reward yourself for hitting those goals. For instance, you can set a goal to memorize 100 flashcards by the end of the day. If you do, you’ll reward yourself with an hour of watching your favorite show. 

When you have to study from home for a while, it can be easy to fall into a rut. After all, you’re in the same place day after day, and your days aren’t that varied. So positive reinforcement mechanisms like this can really help to keep you going and give you a reason to keep studying. 

As you’re studying from home, you may be thinking about how your college applications and which colleges you should apply to. To help you navigate these tough decisions, use CollegeVine’s admissions calculator . With this, you’ll find out your chances of getting into your dream school and how to improve the odds. The best part? It’s completely free! Sign up for your CollegeVine account to get started.

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"One can do his homework in the library"

One can do his homework in the library. One can do one's homework in the library.

Nowadays, are these structures part of colloquial English? The use of one as a pronoun is still in use or is it considered formal if not old-fashioned? In this case how can we render colloquially the same idea?

• 17 One wonders just whose homework the first sentence is suggesting that one do in the library. –  tchrist ♦ Commented Mar 12, 2019 at 20:20
• 6 The problem isn't the one . The problem is that one matches with one’s in English, not with his , which would appear to be some other guy’s homework. :) Sure we can do our own homework, and you can do your own homework, mais on ne peut pas faire les devoirs de quelques autre mec à notre bibliothèque. :) –  tchrist ♦ Commented Mar 12, 2019 at 20:33
• 2 You would not mix the two, one/one’s or he/his, not one/his as in your first example. –  jmoreno Commented Mar 13, 2019 at 11:02
• 1 @jmoreno I can see 2 cases were you would mix them: First, it's not a pronoun ("These two students keep fighting. One can do his homework in the library. The other can do her homework in the common room"). Secondly, when "one" is an abbreviated form: "[Some]one can do his homework in the Library"), especially as a derogative form of " You can do your homework in the library" –  Chronocidal Commented Mar 13, 2019 at 13:52
• 3 According to The Right Word at the Right Time , an anonymously written handbook of English grammar, usage, and style, published by the Reader's Digest, one can sometimes match with his in American usage, but not in British. It certainly looks strange to me, but I have seen it before. @tchrist. –  TRiG Commented Mar 13, 2019 at 15:58

6 Answers 6

In my opinion, using one in this sense is grammatical but awkward. I don't think it is entirely a matter of formality or that the usage has fallen out of practice (although, comparing one can , he can , she can , they can on ngrams does tell an intriguing story). I think the use of one is comparable to the use of the passive voice: both are clear and technically correct, but simply strained.

The best solution is to use a more specific word than one .

A student can do his or her homework in the library.

A touch of awkwardness remains. An easy resolution is to replace his or her with their (if you accept the singular they ).

A student can do their homework in the library.

Alternatively, we can just make the subject plural. After all, the library should accommodate multiple students.

Students can do their homework in the library.

• 5 As the beginning of the answer makes clear, this is a matter of opinion. Some people may regard 'one can do one's homework' as much less awkward than any of the alternatives that are advocated in this answer. –  jsw29 Commented Mar 12, 2019 at 23:51
• 8 I can easily imagine Snape telling Harry Potter that "One can do his homework in the library, Mr. Potter." and it feels as natural as nature itself. –  John Hamilton Commented Mar 13, 2019 at 11:17
• 1 @JohnHamilton In that case "One" is short for "Someone", and it's a snide or patronising way of saying " You can do your homework in the library" –  Chronocidal Commented Mar 13, 2019 at 13:56
• I think the ngram is not entirely useful because if one follows the links at the bottom of the page, one finds that very often it relates to "no one" and in one case to the "One Can" foodbank". google.com/search?q=%22one%20can%22&tbm=bks&lr=lang_en –  chasly - supports Monica Commented Mar 13, 2019 at 17:24
• 2 This might be an example where the passive voice is a good choice: "Homework can be done in the library" –  user323578 Commented Mar 13, 2019 at 21:39

These days, one seldom uses the subject "one", meaning the impersonal "one", though one generally still understands when others use it. It sounds stilted and old-fashioned. It's too bad that it has gone out of use. I liked it.

• 17 Surely in an age where pronominal use can be dictated by referent not by the referrer, you could just tell people that your preferred pronouns are one and one’s . :) –  tchrist ♦ Commented Mar 12, 2019 at 20:35
• 1 You liked it, but one didn't. –  Barmar Commented Mar 13, 2019 at 16:52
• I enjoy using one in that sense after reading David Eddings –  Wayne Werner Commented Mar 13, 2019 at 21:49

"One" used to be archaic .

But these days, "one" has become important again, as a non-gendered pronoun . Third party singular pronouns are in short supply. If one is to avoid linguistic horrors such as singular "they", then any usable word is in play. "One" has the advantage of being singularly singular; that's its very name!

You are right, however; "one" has gotten a bad reputation, from a particular style of intentional misspeaking : addressing another in the third party (he, she, one) instead of the second-party (you) as one properly should.

Presuming you are talking to the person doing homework, then "One should do ones homework in the library" is stilted on purpose; that's the whole point of saying it that way . Proper would be:

You can do your homework in the library -- remove the haughty formality and address the person directly. The "your" is superfluous, unless you actually mean to say "do your own homework, not Crabbe and Goyle's".

One can do homework in the library -- but in this case we are speaking generally about third parties doing homework: say, to the Library Committee. This makes the second pronoun very redundant, so I've dropped it. This particular phrasing is gender neutral and singular by design. (It is distinct from "Students can do their homework in the library", because that implies multiples of students working together would be OK.)

If we were speaking about a specific third party, we could just use gendered pronouns if that person has a gender. If our goal is to avoid gendered pronouns, then avert pronouns altogether (as I did in the italics just here).

In any case, one should feel free to use "one" as needed to refer to an actual third party; but make an effort to avoid expressions that make it sound stilted or overly formal.

• In the 'Library Committee' case, the second pronoun is not redundant if the committee wants to make clear that the students must work separately from each other (the committee, for example, may want to prevent the noise that would be created by the students collaborating on their homework). –  jsw29 Commented Mar 13, 2019 at 15:20
• This is only worthwhile if you accept the characterization of singular they as "a linguistic horror" of course. (I don't.) –  Martin Bonner supports Monica Commented Mar 14, 2019 at 9:28
• 1 One could also ask whether the answer's use of singular "you" is likewise a linguistic horror. (-: –  JdeBP Commented Mar 14, 2019 at 11:52

There is a significant difference between French and English which is causing some of the confusion here. In English, each personal pronoun has its own possessive form

I: my, you: your, he: his, she: her, it: its, they: their, one: one's etc.

French is different because all its third-person pronouns use the same possessive form

il, elle, on, ils, elles: son/sa/ses

as well as the obviously related same reflexive pronoun, se.

This means that the question in English is fundamentally different from the question in French.

From the etymological point of view, several languages have these s- pronouns, that are not well explained, popping up in different persons, including

English: she German: sie (she, they, you) Irish sinn (we) (as in Sinn Féin, We Ourselves) (Scots Gaelic similar) Irish sé, sí, siad (he, she, they) (but not found in Scotland)

In French, there is a non-possessive s-pronoun: soi. This is the strong form of on and is apparently related to son/sa/ses (since soi/son/sa/ses corresponds to moi/mon/ma/mes). This means that son/sa/ses has a closer connection to a word for one than to to any other 3rd-person pronoun.

I'd agree that the use of "one" sounds old-fashioned or formal. A more colloquial way of saying it would be

You can do your homework in the library.

They can do their homework in the library.

Homework can be done in the library.

depending on your intent.

The first is a general statement that people in general can do their homework in the library. The second is more referring to one specific person, but without using that person's gender. It might be a response to a question such as, "Where can my friend do homework?"

The third version is simple passive voice.

• I agree, "you" seems to have replaced the meaning of "one" in current spoken English. I'd say this is the most general and closest to "one" in meaning. –  Tim Foster Commented Mar 13, 2019 at 14:33

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the first thought that came to my mind when I saw this question is that there has always been a signficant usage difference relating to "one" between UK (or international) English and US English.

I'm an English person so I'm not entirely sure of my ground here... and usage in the US may have changed over recent years/decades. But is it not the case that US English will indeed say "one does x... and he then does y"? Whereas in other forms of English using "he" to correlate with "one" would be unthinkable and frankly confusing.

Further, I've always had the impression that US English is more relaxed about using "one" as one way of a) saying "we"/"I"/"people in general" do such-and-such or b) expressing essentially a passive voice. In UK English either sounds terribly, unforgiveably formal: toffs, academics and civil servants from the 1950s might have used "one" in normal speech, but an English person would only use it nowadays in a very formal register. And no young English person would ever use it at all. What do US people feel about acceptable usage of this pronoun?

• This is my experience of American vs British English, too. Americans often seem to use "one" as if it is a contraction of "someone", leading to "[Some]one can do his/her/their homework"-type constructions. –  David Richerby Commented Mar 14, 2019 at 13:36

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