I got this desk because I needed something to sit at for extensive paper-writing. It was pretty easy to put together - got it done by myself in about an hour and a half-ish. The colour and finish are lovely and the pieces themselves feel sturdy. However, I would not recommend this desk as a free-standing unit as it is a bit wobbly on its own. This isn't posing much of a problem because I have it set in a corner against the wall, but it's something to consider depending on where you want to put it.
The surface of the desk itself is great. It fits my laptop and a secondary monitor while still giving me enough space to write/take notes comfortably.
The extra storage space is also really nice. The shorter set of shelving has been good for keeping notebooks/textbooks for easy reach, as well as blankets for when it gets chilly. 
So far I would say this desk is worth it, especially for students looking for something with a compact but functional size.