Summary of the interview:

The interview highlights the difficulties students face when trying to find available and suitable study spaces between classes at the university. The interviewee reports needing to look for a space two to three times a day, often spending a significant amount of time searching.

A major challenge is the lack of real-time information about which spaces are available. Although the interviewee believes there are always free spaces on campus, the university’s size makes it hard to know where to go.

When searching for a place to study, the interviewee prioritizes quiet areas and access to power outlets. However, many available spaces either lack outlets, are noisy, or are outdoors, which makes them unsuitable depending on the weather or the task at hand.

Overall, the absence of clear and reliable information leads to frustration and wasted time. Having access to real-time, trustworthy information about available study spaces would greatly improve the experience by saving time, increasing productivity, and reducing stress.

Transcript of the interview:

Audio of the interview in spanish

Transcript:

Interviewer: Hi Eduardo, first of all, we are exploring how students find available spaces to study between their classes at the university. In this interview, we want to understand what your experience has been like in order to identify opportunities for improvement.

Interviewee: Hi Gabriel, thank you very much for inviting me.

Interviewer: So first, tell me about the last time you needed a classroom or a quiet space between classes. What happened?

Interviewee: Basically, it took me too long to find one. I ended up adapting to walking around during those free periods between classes because it’s very difficult to find a classroom or a space while you’re free.

Interviewer: Okay, and how often does it happen that you have to look for a classroom or some available space?

Interviewee: Between two to three times a day.

Interviewer: Okay, and when you need one of these spaces, what is the first thing you do or where do you usually look?

Interviewee: Basically, I’ve learned to identify areas depending on the schedule. For example, a green area if I want to get some sun, depending on the weather—if it’s raining—deciding whether to go to a library or to find a chair with a power outlet.

Interviewer: Okay, and when you’re looking for, let’s say, a place with a power outlet—which usually classrooms have—if you don’t find an available classroom, what do you do after that?

Interviewee: Basically, I either keep looking or I prefer to just sit down and read.

Interviewer: Okay, and do you know of any place where there is information or any tools that can be used to know where to go?

Interviewee: Honestly, no. I only know about the study room reservation system, which, when I really need a space, is the only thing I know exists to reserve a spot.

Interviewer: Okay, and what is the most frustrating thing when you’re looking for a space to study or do assignments?

Interviewee: Basically, the time. Because if I’m looking for a space, it’s to be able to sit down and study or get work done, but sometimes I end up losing half of my free time just searching for that space to study.

Interviewer: Okay, and would you say that the biggest problem is not knowing in real time which places are available so you can go there?

Interviewee: I think so, yes. Because I know that at the university there are always free spaces, but since it’s so big, sometimes I don’t know which ones are available or where to look.

Interviewer: Okay, and how would your experience change if you had this information in a clear and reliable way?

Interviewee: I would save a lot more time, honestly. I would have much more time to work on assignments, to take a break and rest during the day. I think I would even feel happy.

Interviewer: Okay, and finally, is there anything else about this whole experience of searching for spaces that you consider important and that I didn’t ask you about?

Interviewee: Well, mainly the emphasis that even though there are available spaces, sometimes you don’t know which ones they are. Also, sometimes there are places with tables and chairs but without power outlets. So, feeling that there are many places just to sit and work but without outlets can be difficult, because with so many technological tools, having an outlet is essential. Also, regarding the types of spaces, because in the end, many of the spaces you find are either outdoors—which can be good or bad depending on the weather—or very noisy. In general, that’s it.

Interviewer: Okay, all right. Thank you very much.

Interviewee: Thank you, Gabriel.