I came across a nice piece recently on study habits. Specifically, it was about where to study.

Back in high school, one of the best places to study was your own bedroom at home. But Campus Grotto points out that that changes when you move into the dorms (or worse, into a frat house). Distractions are constant, privacy is minimal, and peace and quiet are hard to come by...

I used to love to study in the library. The Australian National University (where I was a student for about three years) had three or four large libraries - each divided into numerous study halls and reading rooms, and lined with small nooks and crannies that hid study carousels. I loved it.

If the library's not for you, consider a coffee house near campus. Or perhaps a green space or park where you can be outside in fresh air while you read and take notes.

There are other choices. The Campus Grotto article looks at more of them.