Creating a Productive Study Space

Written by: Coach Alison Lake

The perfect work space for homework and studying is not one-size-fits-all. Everyone works differently, but having an organized space is a universal way to ensure productivity and good use of time.

Choose Your Space

When identifying the best study space for you, keep in mind comfort, lighting, household activity, available furniture, temperature, etc. Ideally, the most productive work space is free of distractions and not in a high-traffic area in the home. If it's in the student's bedroom, work should be done on a desk or table, not on the bed. The most efficient and effective setup is separate from other activities that might be going on in the house, and has enough space for all the items you need.

Remove Clutter

Within the study space and, if possible, within eyesight, remove any items that aren't needed for assignments. Visually, a simple setup makes it easier to focus on the task at hand and not become distracted. It might not be possible to remove all unrelated items from the line of vision, but if the workspace only has the items you need, staying organized will become second-nature. Keep the area clean and dispose of any trash daily. An organized, pleasing area helps keep the brain uncluttered as well. 

Keep Materials Close By

It's important to keep all necessary materials very handy so they can be easily grabbed from an arm's length. These may include a planner, binders, folders, pens and pencils, calculator, notebook paper, laptop, timer, and any other items needed to study and complete homework on that day. Having to hunt around for items each day can be disruptive and time-consuming. Studying will be much more efficient if everything you need is close by. 

Ensure Comfort

The most productive study space should be ergonomically sound, with a comfortable, supportive chair, and a table or desk that's at the right height for the student. While a bed is comfortable, it's not supportive enough for study and encourages bad posture and distraction. 

Also consider neck position at the desk or table. Hunching over a laptop or book for long periods can lead to neck and shoulder pain. Prop up a monitor or laptop on a couple books if you have a separate keyboard or don't need to type when watching a video, for example. And consider using a textbook stand so the book is positioned directly in the line of sight.

Adjust the room lighting so it's bright enough to protect your eyes but not so bright that it causes a headache, and draw the blinds if needed to keep out direct sunlight. 

Reduce Distractions

It may be impossible to remove all distractions, but try to set up a permanent workspace that's not right in the middle of nightly dinner, sibling playtime, or the TV area. Try to avoid places in the house where family members and pets will be walking by frequently. Keep smartphones and other smart devices out of eyesight or turn off unnecessary notifications. Wear noise-canceling headphones if needed. 

Make Adjustments

Above all, don't hesitate to make slight changes to the study environment if something isn't working quite right. Move somewhere else, rearrange belongings, or try a different chair to find the right setup for you. 

Tips for Establishing a Healthy Sleep Schedule

Getting enough rest is an important part of being successful in any area. Today we’re going to look at seven useful tips that can help students get the most out of their sleep schedule.

Put Down the Phone

One simple thing that can make a big difference when it comes to how long it takes to fall asleep is to avoid using electronics before bed. Many students today, especially in high school and college, say they rely on their phones or tablets to listen to/watch things that relax them in order to fall asleep. This can seem like a great way to unwind before falling asleep, but the reality is that a phone, tablet, and TV screens all emit blue light (even when in “night mode”), which affects melatonin levels. Most experts recommend not using electronics in bed at all or at least having a cutoff when it’s time to go to sleep.

Don’t Hit Snooze

Hitting the “snooze” button is extremely tempting for students. What many people don’t realize, however, is that as good as they feel, those extra 5 or 10 minutes of rest that we get tend to do more harm than good throughout the rest of the day.

Our bodies thrive on routine, especially through school years when we are still growing. Having an alarm set for the same time every morning is a good way of training the body to cycle through these phases efficiently, but falling back to sleep (or even just lying there) for a few minutes after waking up throws off the brain’s natural timing, which in turn makes students feel less rested as the day goes on.

Open the Curtains

This may not sound like something that has any real scientific basis, but research has found that there are cells in our eyes whose only job is to gauge brightness for the body’s circadian clock. The brain responds to this input independently of sight, which plays a part in whether or not the body feels tired. Similarly, exposure to light stimulates the brain and body, so getting started on the day becomes easier.

Stay Active

Even a small amount of exercise can make a big difference; from simple things like stimulating a student's heart rate to improving overall mood and fitness, which in turn helps the body rest more efficiently.

Stay on Schedule

Lastly, as we’ve mentioned before, the key to success in any area is consistency. Students need established routines throughout their growing years, and sleep is perhaps one of the most important areas in which routine matters. From getting to sleep to a set bedtime to avoiding spontaneous naps, keeping to a schedule trains the body to sleep well and at the correct times. This allows students to feel better throughout the day and apply themselves fully to succeeding in school, social life, and all other areas.

To read more about how to get the most out of your sleep schedule, check out these webpages:

https://www.freshu.io/celia-janes/10-tips-to-stay-well-rested

https://mindyourmind.ca/wellness/how-stay-well-rested