Are you a student who does a lot of work at home? If so, you are certainly aware of the important role of a proper arrangement of a study space. What should this area look like to make your learning more effective?
Where Should You Start When Creating an Effective Study Space?
An effective study space is one that allows you to focus well on your tasks – without any unnecessary ‘distractions’. Ergonomics and comfort are also essential because when you feel uncomfortable (perhaps due to a bad chair, poor lighting or noise), your perceptive skills are weakened and concentration significantly reduced. Sometimes it can even completely prevent effective learning.
That is why you should start with the basic and necessary components of your study space:
- Invest in a comfortable office chair that allows you to maintain a correct posture and eliminate the risk of such ailments as back pain or numbness in the limbs while sitting – the office chair must have a comfortable seat, backrest, armrests and height adjustment;
- Ensure you have proper lighting – preferably using the maximum potential of natural sunlight (in addition, a good desk lamp with a neutral light colour will also be useful);
- Use a spacious desk that allows you to conveniently arrange the materials necessary for learning (laptop, books, notes, etc.) – also make sure that the desk is tailored to your height.
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Tip: If it is impossible to allocate a separate room for your study space, at least make sure that the dedicated ‘corner’ is bright, as well as possibly separated from the rest of the room (you can divide it, for example, with a bookcase). In this way, your study room is clearly separated from the living room or bedroom area which is associated with relaxation and rest.
Effective Study Space: Take Care of Good Lighting
If you study or work at your desk for several hours a day, your study room should be well lit. If possible, position the desk in front of the window to illuminate it with sunlight. A comfortable reading lamp will also work – preferably with an adjustable arm that allows you to adjust the angle.
A Study Space That Engages All Senses
An effective study space is one that does not distract but engages all of the senses. Remember to avoid excess stimuli, such as numerous colours in the study room and remove unnecessary items. Also, organise your space in a way that will not get cluttered easily. Instead of having excess decorations, go for green plants in minimalistic pots for example, as they don’t distract, are pleasant to look at and produce oxygen. Many people believe that working in green surroundings reduces stress levels, and just looking at greenery helps ‘relax’ your tired eyes.
Once you minimise excess stimuli in your environment, make sure that your creative study space facilitates learning with all senses. For example, if you are a visual person, you can place charts or graphic notes in a visible place.
What Else Should a Study Room Have?
Creating an effective study space should also include smart ways to store notes, papers and office accessories. If you sort them properly, you will not only have everything at hand, but also avoid the clutter and time-consuming search for the things you require. Various types of organisers with compartments for office accessories, as well as colourful binders or cardboard boxes that allow you to conveniently store notes and documents are essential for every study room.
