The right study environment could help you to concentrate more effectively and be more productive. But just what are some of the things that you can do to make a space more suitable for studying? Below are some of the different ways to create the perfect study environment.
Reduce distractions
A good study environment should be free of as many distractions as possible. Some of the biggest distractions include other people and TVs – which is why the living room can be a bad option when studying at home. Bedrooms can be a good option, but you should avoid turning on the TV in your bedroom if you find this to be a distraction.
Some people find that silence itself can be a distraction. Music could make good background noise, but ideally it should be something quite ambient that doesn’t demand too much attention.
Keep things organized
Being able to find the things you need when you need them is very important when studying. You don’t want to be wasting time looking for books or resources. On top of this, a cluttered environment has been found to reduce concentration in many studies.
A tidy desk is something to try to maintain when studying at home. Classrooms should similarly be kept tidy with equipment and resources stored in specific places with labels.
Invest in comfortable furniture
If you’re getting cramps while studying, this is clearly not going to be good for your concentration. It’s important to have a comfortable chair and desk at the right height with a good amount of legroom and elbow room.
There are sites that specialise in school furniture designed to be comfortable while studying. Ergonomic office chairs are generally a good choice for home studies – these chairs come with good back support and are height adjustable. Make sure to choose a desk with enough legroom beneath that is also not too high.
Get the lighting right
Studying in poor lighting can cause eye strain and headaches. You ideally want lighting to be strong enough so that you can see what you’re doing without being so strong that it causes glare on a computer screen. Think about where the light is positioned in a room when setting up desks.
Natural light is good for our mood and for helping to maintain our circadian rhythm. Try to allow some natural light to pour in while studying during the day. Just make sure that you haven’t got strong sunlight coming from behind, as this will cause screen glare on computers.
Add some inspiration to the walls
Blank white walls are not good for inspiration. Instead it’s better to decorate study areas in a way that encourages creative thoughts – especially when doing creative exercises like writing essays.
Soothing colors and calming artwork can help boost concentration. Posters containing motivational quotes or important rules can also be a great way to decorate a study area. Past work that you are proud of could also be worth displaying around you to motivate you through moments of writer’s block or self-doubt.
