It’s time to get up before noon. It’s time to look at a book. The inside part. Yes, it’s that time: spring break is over.

Follow the Northern Star through its weekly installment of the best places to study on campus and around DeKalb to find a new place to rejuvenate that scholarly feeling.

If you have trouble sitting still for several hours of studying, the Student Recreation Center might be a good change of pace – to a run.

Chrissy Tluczek, coordinator of open recreation for Recreation Services, said students sometimes read in the cardio room while working out on the ellipticals, bicycles, treadmills and AMT machines.

“It’s pretty safe to read while on stationary machinery,” Tluczek said.

Lindsey Shaffer, post-baccalaureate nutrition student, said she prefers to review class notes while on a bicycle or elliptical.

“I can’t run on the treadmill because I almost fall off when I’m trying to read,” she said.

Tluczek said she doesn’t recommend students try studying during any activity with a lot of movement. She said weightlifting and stretching are not good activities to try to read during. Students would also be wise to avoid errant basketballs and tennis balls near the courts.

Stephanie Lamantia, senior elementary education major, also said she can’t study while running on a treadmill, but enjoys reading while on an elliptical or stair machine.

“I usually try to read every day, even if it’s just for fun, just to keep my mind off of the exercise,” she said. “I study whenever I have a test, to get about an hour in.”

Tluczek said she has no way of knowing whether students listen to books on tape or recorded lectures while exercising at the Rec, but thinks it’s a good idea. She said she usually sees students reading or reviewing flashcards.

During finals week, the number of students who use the Rec skyrockets, Tluczek said.

“[Exercise] does reduce stress, a lot of people use it that way,” she said.

According to an August U.S. News and World Report article, exercise can improve memory and learning. Brain chemicals called growth factors are increased during exercise and these help create new brain cells and enhance connections between them.

Complicated exercises, like a dance class or playing tennis, are also good for increasing concentration and attention skills because of the focus needed for coordination, according to the article.

Tluczek said she wouldn’t recommend studying at the Rec for every student.

“It depends what kind of studier they are; what kind of environment they prefer,” she said. “Every student is different. If they work out regularly, it’s a good thing. If it’s someone who comes in infrequently, I would say to focus on the workout without adding too many distractions.”

Tluczek said multitaskers might find working out and studying at the same to be beneficial. For others, it might be counterproductive.

Shaffer said working out is a good way to study without sitting still for long periods of time.

“I think it’s especially good for people who have a hard time sitting still anyway,” she said. “You’re keeping your body busy while you’re focusing on [studying].”

For breaks in between studying, the Rec also offers eight multipurpose courts for basketball, volleyball, tennis, badminton, and table tennis, a strength training room, a track, saunas and a juice bar.