If you have a student in your family, or if you’re a student yourself, then you know that importance of finding a good area to study. Even if you’re not currently a parent or student, there’s sure to be some times in your life when you’re craving a space that separate, and more importantly, quiet. Today we’re going to talk about what makes a good study area, into a great one.
If you can help it, find a space that isn’t really used for anything else. If you happen to have a guest room that hasn’t received any guests in awhile, then that’s going to be your best bet. The important thing is to find a spot that’s going to be out of the way from other people. Some people simply lock themselves in their room but this in itself can be a problem, as we’ll discuss further down. Whatever place you find, here a some tips to remember to optimize your space.
What makes a lot of difference is actually the atmosphere, rather than the furniture and the feng shui. A lot of people turn to music to help create focus. Many times this can indeed be helpful but believe it or not there’s a right way to go about it. When making a playlist to help narrow down your field of attention, pick music that you’re familiar with. When your brain is already accustomed to certain sounds it will more easily tune them out and use them as a soundscreen against other noises. It’s also important to pay attention to how you’re listening to your music. If you’re directly pumping in music through headphones, chances are you’ll find it harder to study. Consider placing whatever you’re using to play music on the other side of the room. You’ll also be less tempted to fiddle with it while it’s away.
Sound is probably the most obvious issue we’re talking about, and you’re not likely to change your playlist because we tell you to. So let’s move on to some topics that are maybe a little out of the way from the no-brainer category.
Lighting is something that most people don’t really think about until it’s a problem. Setting up your area by the window is great until the sun sets and your natural lighting is MIA for the next ten to twelve hours. The trick is to have some backup lighting that will match what you’re losing when the sun goes down. This way there will be consistency in your lighting, otherwise you could deal with a feeling of starting over when you move to change your lighting and will have to regain some of that motivation you lost. An alternative solution is to set yourself up in a side room without a view, as dreary as that sounds. That way you’ll have constant control over the amount of light present. So how much light are you looking for? The best amount is something that will prevent shadows without casting any glares or distracting your glance. Our eyes are naturally drawn to light so, much like your music, consider facing away from your light source to promote efficiency.
After all your tech is taken care of, there’s more to think about before you sink into studying. Before you sit down in a recliner, or your bed, know that there is such thing as “too comfortable” in terms of studying. This why studying in your room can actually do more harm than good. One of the problems is that we associate these things with comfort and relaxation. So when we inhabit them, our minds go into under-drive. This more than anything is support for electing a specific room just for studying. Make it a little uncomfortable. Break out that wooden chair you’ve been using as a spare shelf. This way you’ll focus on your work instead of much you’re lower half is hurting. It’s maybe a little barbaric, but any bit helps, right?
Finally just make sure that your area, wherever you make it, is clean. Clutter not only crowds the room but our minds as well. There’s just something about a clean room that allows our minds to breathe easily and be more focused on other things. This way, combined with these other tips, you’ll be ready to sit down and study for anything.
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