5 crucial elements of an A+ study space
By Sumiko Wilson on Aug 18, 2016
As another school year looms and students soak up the final weeks of summer, the exciting back to school bustle begins. In addition to back to school shopping, you should also be contemplating how to give your study space a makeover!
Truthfully, very few students are genuinely looking forward to the influx of assignments and ominous due-dates (is anyone actually looking forward to this?). But, the imminent workload can be sweetened, and even lightened, with a sleek, organized at-home study space.
The environment surrounding study plays a major role in information retention and focus. So instead of doing homework in bed or sitting at a messy desk in a boring corner, spruce up your study space so that it can be the birthplace of great ideas and A+ papers.
Here are the five elements of a productive study space that you will actually enjoy sitting at, even if you don’t always enjoy the work:
1) The right light
Lighting is a crucial element to a productive study space. If a desk is too dark, it will make it easier to doze off during the less exciting chapters. On top of that, it may lead to eye strain, which can cause headaches and ultimately discourage studying altogether.Studies have shown that bleek fluorescent bulbs limit productivity. So instead, opt for natural lighting during the day and a warm, bright desk lamp once the sun begins to set.2) The perfect chair
During the school year, students should expect to log some serious time seated at their desk. Like, a lot. So it’s important that their chosen chair provides the ergonomic support required to ensure short-term comfort and prevent long-term back and neck damage. It’s also important to make sure that the chair is adjusted to a good height, where your feet can rest flat on the ground.And although an expensive chair with all of the bells, whistles, cup holders, and padding will be very fun to swivel back and forth in, it doesn’t need to be over-the-top. Furthermore, all of the twisting and adjusting can become a major distraction on those days when you feel especially susceptible to being sidetracked.3) The best desk
Ideally, when you sit down at your desk, the tabletop should rest between your waist and your ribcage. With that, you can easily rest your elbows without having to hunch over and compromise your posture. One of the most important elements of the desk, however, is organization. For most students, their desk eventually evolves into a junk magnet covered in everything but homework. But a clear desk is more likely to inspire productivity and help you focus. You can avoid clutter by storing books and binders on floating shelves hung above the desk.4) Keep it green
When you’re cooped up inside working on important assignments, a small houseplant stationed on your desk can keep you from going stir crazy. This stems from a Norwegian study that found that desk plants result in happier and more productive workers. The same goes for when you’re doing homework. Incorporating pockets of green into otherwise drab settings facilitates focus and decreases aggression, anxiety and angst.Aloe, jade, cacti and succulents all make great study buddies, with each plant making a strong aesthetic impact and requiring minimal maintenance. 5) Watch the clock
Though many have ditched their clocks in favour of smartphones, having a clock prominently displayed in your workspace can encourage healthy time management, whether it motivates you to study for an extra hour or reminds you to stay on track. It is also a great alternative to having your phone on your desk, which is a very tempting distraction.We hope that these study space tips help you rule the upcoming school year!
