As students, we all know how important it is to study in an environment that can help us towards success, don’t we? Can we sit down and really work without getting distracted by friends? At AISB, the library is a very popular location, with various study spaces students may access based on their preferences. Do you need to be in an environment where you can study, finish up homework, or chill after an exhausting school day? Let’s take a look at different spaces in the Secondary Library, shining the light on the pros and cons of each.

Secondary Library Ground Floor

The first floor is designed with a variety of desks and chairs for collaborative and independent work for students. It is popular among DP students for its quiet area to focus during free blocks. Usually, middle and high school students come study for their summatives and finish homework with friends during lunch time.

Teacher Insight: “I usually use headphones, just because then I’m not distracted, if there are any conversations. But it’s generally quiet, chairs are okay. I usually sit in the same spot, just because there are outlets available to get my work done.” – Math and Design Teacher, Michael Lok 

Ratings:

• Seating: Comfortable
• Volume: Busy during peak times, though mainly quiet
• Availability of Seating: Hard to find a spot during break, easy during free block
• Access to charging stations, internet, space to put bags and spread out supplies
• Students can only stay on the first floor when using their laptops, after getting permission from Ms. Cristina, the librarian.

OVERALL RATING: Great for group work and when using laptops during lunch, and great place during free blocks.

Secondary Library – 1st Floor

The second floor is a peaceful area, used mainly for reading. There are no desks and laptops are not allowed up here. It is the perfect place to dive into a book and Pamela Arriagada, the Librarian Assistant, agrees with us: “We love it when the library is full of people who really want to spend some time discovering and enjoying the wonderful world of reading.”

Teacher Insight: “This school year the secondary library is a perfect place to study. Unlike previous years, this school year our library is a lot quieter and friendlier for those students who really need and want to study and use our facilities. Upstairs, while there are a lot of very comfortable couches, there still is a huge problem: the acoustic is at its highest level, so if you have spare time and you want to spend a relaxing chatting time with your peers and friends, the library is not the best choice as this is a place for students and teachers that need to study and prepare their lessons.” – Secondary Library Librarian Assistant and Spanish Teacher Pamela Arriagada

Ratings:

• Seating: Comfortable
• Volume: Quiet
• Availability of Seating: Always free
• Access to wonderful books to read!
• Only DP students are allowed to use their laptops upstairs. 

OVERALL RATING: Great to take a break from school work and quietly dive into an interesting book. 

Library Study Rooms

Here, you can do group work for your focused study periods (DP students). You must book a room beforehand with one of the librarians. 

Student Insight: “Quietness is very good, you can focus really well. I feel like we can focus really well, work on my stuff really well. It’s also pretty spacious like having another person in here, doesn’t feel that claustrophobic.” – Grade 12 student Victor R.

Another Student Insight: “And I love these spaces, they’re super functional, they’re super quiet. I would love to bring some drinks in here as well like coffee, if I don’t have time to go sit in the cafe cause I have a lot of work to do. Yeah, overall it’s a nice space.” – Grade 12 Student, Miriam W. 

Ratings:

• Seating: Comfortable
• Volume: Mostly quiet
• Availability of Seating: Sometimes hard, as you need to book them beforehand
• Access to a study buddy, charging ports that are hard to open, internet

OVERALL RATING: Excellent for DP Students during free blocks and lunch time.

Mindfulness Corner

In the first floor, the mindfulness corner brings comfort with soft seatings and a calm environment, ideal for light studying and reading.

Student Insight: “I also like the seats under the stairs, like the mindfulness corner and the ones on the other stairs on the other side of the library, you know? Okay seating, can be loud though because of people going on the stairs, but usually free.” – Grade 9 student Charlotte G., a Flybrarians Student Leader

Ratings: 

• Seating: Comfortable for long periods of time as well
• Volume: Sometimes loud during break due to students upstairs or going on the stairs
• Availability of Seating: Always has free spots available

OVERALL RATING: Comfortable for short tasks like reading assignments

I believe the library is a great place to study and many would agree. We know that the first floor is the best area for collaborative work, while the second floor is suitable for independent activities in a quieter atmosphere. Obviously, we are different individuals, with different needs and distinct preferences when it comes to finding the place where we feel most comfortable and productive. Nevertheless, the AISB library definitely provides choices worth exploring! Enjoy studying and be productive!

What about you? Tell us: What is your favorite study place at school?