Level Up Your Study Game at the Study Zone
Written by: Tuleen Tayeh, 5th Year Health Science Specialization and Psychology Major
We’ve all been there: you sit down to study with the best intentions, only to find yourself distracted, overwhelmed, or staring blankly at your screen. When motivation is low and deadlines are high, focusing on your own can feel nearly impossible. That’s where Study Zone comes in.
Offered through Western’s Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) program, Study Zone is a drop-in group study space designed to help students focus, stay motivated, and feel a little less alone while getting work done.
When and Where to Attend Study Zone
(Photo Source: Tuleen Tayeh)
Study Zone sessions take place in the Weldon Library Community Room and are offered on select Fridays throughout the term. Each date includes two sessions, allowing students to attend one or stay for both consecutively.
One of the best parts about Study Zone is how accessible it is. There’s no registration required: students simply show up and sign in at the door. Whether you’ve planned your study session days in advance or decided last-minute that you need structured time to work, Study Zone makes it easy to participate without adding another thing to your to-do list. Plus, free snacks are available, making it a comfortable and welcoming place to settle in and stay energized while you study!
Upcoming Study Zone dates include:
- February 27th at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
- March 20th at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
- March 27th at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Why the Pomodoro Method Works
(Photo Source: https://www.breeze.pm/blog/pomodoro-technique)
Study Zone sessions are structured around the Pomodoro Method, a time-management technique developed in the late 1980s by Francesco Cirillo. The name pomodoro is Italian for “tomato,” inspired by the tomato-shaped kitchen timer Cirillo used while studying as a university student.
While struggling to maintain focus for long periods, Cirillo began experimenting with shorter, timed intervals of deep concentration, typically 25 minutes, followed by brief breaks. This approach made studying feel less overwhelming and helped reduce mental fatigue. What started as a simple experiment eventually became a widely used productivity method based on the idea that attention works best in focused bursts, not marathons.
By building in intentional breaks, the Pomodoro Method supports sustained concentration, helps prevent burnout, and makes large academic tasks feel more manageable - which is why it fits so naturally into the structure of the Study Zone.
Want to try it yourself? You can use a free online Pomodoro timer to structure your own study sessions: https://pomofocus.io/
“Locking In” Together
Study Zone isn’t about studying with others in the traditional sense; it’s about studying alongside others. One of its main goals is to help students “lock in” together. When you’re surrounded by people who are focused, it naturally encourages you to focus too.
This shared environment creates a sense of social accountability. Everyone is working independently on their own tasks, but there’s a collective energy in the room that helps combat procrastination and makes it easier to stay on track. To support focus during your sessions, you can check out tips for focus, time management, and mental wellness from Western’s Learning Development and Success, or explore mindfulness and stress resources through Student Health & Wellness Services.
Stay as Long as You Need
Each Study Zone session runs for two hours, but students aren’t limited to attending just one. If you’re feeling productive or working on a larger assignment, you can attend both sessions consecutivelyfor extended, structured study time. This flexibility allows students to work with their energy levels, whether they need a short boost of motivation or a longer stretch of deep focus.
My Experience at Study Zone
On January 23 at 12:30 p.m., I attended Session 1 of Study Zone to experience firsthand what this focused study space is like. Like many students, I often struggle with staying motivated when studying alone, especially during busy points in the term. Walking into a structured environment with a clear focus on accountability and collective concentration feels like a refreshing alternative to solo studying.
One of the most noticeable aspects of the session was how studying alongside others influenced my ability to “lock in.” Being surrounded by people who were quietly focused on their own work created a sense of shared purpose that made distractions feel less tempting. The collective energy in the room made it easier to settle into my tasks and maintain concentration.
The structured, timed nature of the session also played a role in my productivity. Working within focused intervals made larger tasks feel more manageable and encouraged me to stay present rather than feeling overwhelmed by everything I needed to complete. Compared to unstructured study time, I found it easier to track my progress and stay engaged.
A Study Space That Supports Wellness
At its core, Study Zone is about more than productivity. It’s about academic wellness. By offering structure, built-in breaks, and a supportive environment, Study Zone helps reduce stress, ease feelings of isolation, and make studying feel more manageable.
If you’ve been struggling to focus or finding it hard to stay motivated on your own, Study Zone offers a simple reminder: sometimes, all it takes to focus is being surrounded by others who are trying to do the same.
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