Finals week focus: Where Fresno State students go to study

FRESNO, Calif.— As finals week approaches at Fresno State, students are locking in and searching for the best places to study.

With graduation just weeks away for seniors, the pressure is building. But before they can walk the stage, students are focusing on one final hurdle, passing their exams.

For many, success starts with finding the right environment.

“I like the desk because I can’t study in lounge chairs,” said Psychology major Neveah Zepeda. “I get too comfortable and I do like the ones by the Starbucks as well.”

Others are prioritizing convenience, especially when it comes to staying charged during long study sessions.

“The second towards the back, because there’s areas you can plug in your charger,” said Pre-Health Nursing major Esmeralda Puga.

The Fresno State Library remains the most popular option, offering both open seating and reservable study rooms for students.

According to library services specialist Raquel Delgado, those study rooms can be booked online in two-hour increments and require confirmation through email.

With finals week around the corner, the library is also extending its hours to better support students.

“We will be open from 7:45 [a.m.], and instead of closing at 11 [p.m.], we’re going to stay up until 2 a.m.,” Delgado said.

While the library continues to draw the most traffic, some students are branching out and finding quieter spaces within their own departments.

“Yeah, the Peters Building, third floor, where the mathematics department is, I think it’s pretty quiet in there,” said Mechanical Engineering major Armando Lopez. “And they have charging places, so I think it’s a pretty good spot.”

Beyond location, students say managing distractions is just as important as where they study.

“What I do is I just disconnect my earbuds and plug it into my iPad,” said Biology major Miranda Mendez. “And I just put my phone in my closet or something, like, far away from me.”

Still, not every student has a set strategy when it comes to staying focused.

“No, not really,” Puga said. “I probably should though, but I just always keep it on the side.”

From study desks near Starbucks to quiet corners across campus, students are finding what works best for them.

As finals week nears, Fresno State offers no shortage of study spaces, but staying focused and managing distractions remains up to the student.