It’s true: research confirms that simply being in the presence of a close acquaintance can reduce your stress levels – and what’s more stressful than the end of the semester? Moreover, simply having a study buddy leads to increased productivity and attention levels. And in the long term, it even improves your soft skills!

Tip: for joint study/work sessions, establish a “self-report” framework. Before the session, talk about your goals for the day; take regular breaks to talk about how it’s going – or just chat about unrelated topics to clear your head; at the end of the session, talk about what you’ve managed to achieve.

At ITMO

Of course, we have to start with the obvious: as an ITMO student or staff member, you naturally enjoy access (in some cases, 24/7!) to a whole variety of well-equipped, stylish coworking spaces with everything you might need for a productive day: from comfy chairs and power outlets to water fountains and beanbags. In fact, a new space has just opened up on the Kronverksky campus – now’s a great time to go check it out! Find the full list of coworking spaces at the university here.

Coworking spaces in the city

Of course, there are even more spaces to explore beyond ITMO. Perhaps you’re looking for one close to your dorm or apartment, or near your favorite cafe. Or perhaps you’re just looking for variety? Regardless, there’s plenty to choose from: just check with our list of free (and almost-free) coworking spaces in St. Petersburg.

Libraries

Next on the ranking of obvious spots to study: libraries, the cathedrals of learning! For instance, you can visit the stunning National Library at either of its locations, one in the city center and the other down south, not far from several of ITMO’s dorms. There are more, of course – check them all out here.

Looking for more spots to enjoy the silence? Keep an eye out for next week’s feature on the top quiet hangout spots in St. Petersburg.

Coffee shops

As we all know, any work sesh becomes much cozier – and caffeinated – when you have a nice cup of java to keep your taste buds happy. Luckily for you, St. Petersburg is famously a city of specialty coffee obsessives, which means there’s no shortage of cool spots all over the city. A good list of starting spots can be found in this ITMO NEWS feature.

On a train

Sounds unorthodox? Maybe, but we’re not talking about the St. Petersburg metro here! Instead, why not, as the Russian saying goes, “combine the pleasant with the beneficial” and hop on a suburban train to one of the many cool destinations around the city? From Vyborg to Pavlovsk, there are so many destinations you can bring your friends to for the weekend – and while you listen to the clatter of the rails, you can read those research papers you’ve been putting off, brainstorm while looking out the window, or draw up a presentation on your tablet. To start, check out our guide to suburban train travel in and around St. Petersburg.

It’s never a bad idea to explore more new places! For more tips, see the ITMO NEWS guide to finding your “third place” in the city.