Your environment can have a significant impact on how you study. The way you arrange your desk and study space can greatly influence your academic performance.
It is much easier than you might think to create an environment that encourages learning and supports your study goals. Your study place should make you comfortable to study, especially in the time of online classes, so you don’t want to say “What if somebody could take my online class for me?”.
These are our top tips for organizing your study space to make sure you and your desk look great.
Select Your Space
Some people don’t have the luxury of a large office at home. If you live in student housing, it could limit your ability to study.
Effective learning is impossible if you are unable to study on your bed, on the sofa, or in a messy space.
Even if you have a small desk in a corner, you need to create a study area.
Get Rid Of All Your Clutter
It is easy to let clutter overtake your study desk. Books, magazines, and cups can build up in the course of a long study day.
For academic study to be effective, clutter must go. Too much unnecessary “stuff” on your desk can distract you and leave little room for the things that are really important.
You want a clean and organized desk.
According to the old saying, clutter can make it difficult for you to focus on your studies.
The Ergonomic Way to Live
You need to feel comfortable to stay focused so make sure you have a good chair and a desk.
When you sit down, the top of your desk should be between your waistline and your rib cage. This will allow you to rest your elbows comfortably without leaning forward.
Your chair should be sized to your desk. Your chair should support your lower back, and be set at a height that allows you to comfortably place your feet on the ground.
Your chair should be at eye level. It should not be less than 1 1/2 feet from your eyes. This will help you avoid eye strain. You should also take care of your wrists while working. A vertical mouse can help reduce wrist strain.
Temperature and Lights
Now that you have the perfect desk setup, it is time to think about the environment around you. Temperature and lighting are important. Each can impact your learning ability.
Proper lighting is essential in your study space. Too much light can cause fatigue and can even lead to damage to your eyes.
A good desk lamp, in addition to natural light, will help you concentrate on your work, while an overhead light will brighten your environment.
Don’t let your bedroom get too hot/cold – research has shown that between 72 and 75 degrees F is the best temperature for productive study.
Personalize your Space
We know that clutter is bad for your study space. However, personalization can be a great thing.
You can keep your focus on the academic prize with a few photos, inspirational quotes, or a motivational poster. It will help you remember all the reasons you are so dedicated to your work – whether it is for family, professional goals, or the impact you could make.
Personalizing your study space will make it feel more like yours and something you love.
Turn off distractions
The digital world is full of joys, and we are always just a tap away from our phones and devices.
But, effective study is what all the connectivity does not mean.
When it comes to getting your head down and staying there, your phone can be a distraction.
If you’re not using your phone as an App tool or calculator (which we recommend putting it on airplane mode if possible), then turn off your smartphone.
Only use the Space for Studying
After all the planning and sorting of your study space, we have one final tip: Only use your study desk to study.
You can keep your focus on studying by creating a space that is only for that purpose. Don’t let yourself be distracted from other activities like eating, gaming, or watching TV.
You will soon be able to identify your study space as your learning space and you will feel inspired to work towards your educational goals.
This is the key to academic success.
