The place you choose to study has a great impact on what you achieve. Lying in bed with a laptop on your lap will obviously have a different effect from being in a dedicated, focused area. This will mean different things for everyone as some may prefer a productive, minimalistic space whereas others feel most comfortable in an inspirational albeit cluttered situation. This blog will give you some general tips on what a conventionally productive space looks like.
The first thing to determine is the place you want to work at. This could be a quiet corner of a room; on a desk or on the floor, or in a non-permanent place such as a dining table or even a library. What you need to make sure is available is adequate lighting. This should preferably be daylight because this is better for your eyes as well as keeping you naturally alert. If this is not an option a lamp can be used. The light should replicate daylight as closely as possible; anything harsher or darker than this will put a strain on the eyes. Another factor to consider when choosing your study space is noise and privacy. While it may not be possible to work in a place that is not shared and is potentially noisy, you could try informing the people near you that you are planning on studying.
The next thing to consider is the ambience. The things you have around have the potential to inspire as well as distracting. The most distracting things when studying include phones and other devices. Putting them on do-not-disturb may not be enough to resist the urge to pick them up. The safest option is always to get them far enough away that reaching them is not convenient. The comfort of the space is also crucial. The most neutral position is sitting on an ergonomic chair that offers support. Another thing to decide is whether you’d prefer to have music playing or not. This is controversial and can make or break your focus. A safe bet is to listen to classical or I recommend the instrumentals of your favourite songs.
If you have a designated study area do not let anything pile up. The smallest slip of motivation to clean only accumulates a bigger mess. Your supplies should be in close reach as getting up to go get something can provide a distraction. You may want to have an organiser to store stationery and binders and desk organisers are essential if you work with a lot of papers. If you work predominantly on devices, personalising them can be a game changer. A clock is another essential. It can be used to time yourself to finish tasks and also to schedule your study session. A session should be anything upward of an hour as it is enough to be involved in a topic without getting bored. Breaks can also be indispensable for not getting too bored though with what you’re doing. These should not be too frequent, however.
In conclusion, you don’t need much to carve out your study space. All you need is an organised space and the right ambience, lighting and possibly music, as well as all your supplies ready close by. Having water available is essential for not only hydration but motivation. Ultimately, the ambience of your space depends wholly on what you feel works for you.
