It isn’t always easy to find a quiet and comfortable place to study while in college. Maybe the constant chatter at the local cafe has gotten to you, or perhaps your back is sore from the rigid wooden chairs at your university’s library. No matter what situation you’re in, it is always a good idea to create your own workspace in your apartment or house to ensure that you stay productive and successful. Here are four tips for making the optimal study space in your home.
Minimize distractions
When picking where exactly your study space will be, it is important to choose a place where you won’t get distracted. This may look different for everyone, as we all have different triggers and attention spans, but as a general rule of thumb, it is best to avoid anywhere near TVs, kitchens, or noisy housemates. Many students set up their desks in their bedroom and face against a wall or a window.
It’s also important to make sure you aren’t distracted by your own belongings. Find another place where you can store your phone, games, snacks, and other items if these will disturb your study session.
Make it comfortable
There’s nothing worse than finally buckling down to study and finding that your back or neck is hurting so badly that it is difficult to focus. For this reason, it’s recommended that you find good furniture that will enable you to study for long periods of time. It is suggested that desks should be about waist height and chairs that allow for ergonomic correctness are ideal.
Comfort also involves temperature control. It may be worthwhile to keep a desk fan or a few blankets nearby to ensure that you don’t get too warm or cold while trying to focus.
Keep it organized
All necessary items should be easily accessible from your study space; This means that they should be placed in areas where you won’t forget or lose them (organization is key to ensuring this). Find a desk with enough drawers and compartments so that your supplies will be properly divided, or, invest in desk organizers that can split up desk spaces to create multiple areas where items can be stored.
Adjust lighting as necessary
The lighting for your study space should not be too dim nor too bright, as both can be harmful to your vision and therefore decrease your ability to study for long periods of time. Natural lighting is recommended for productivity, so it may be a good idea to place your desk by a window as long as this won’t be too distracting. If you prefer studying at night, invest in a good lamp and bulb that won’t strain your eyes.
There you have it! No more excuses for avoiding your next study session. Here’s to a productive and successful academic year.