school year begins, thoughts drift from free time to study time. One way to ensure that you'll be able to rise to the occasion is to dedicate an area of your home for studying - and nothing else. You don't have to spend a lot of money, but you do need to give what you'll need some consideration. Here's what you need to think about:" />

Tips on Creating an Optimal Study Area


When September rolls around and the school year begins, thoughts drift from free time to study time. One way to ensure that you’ll be able to rise to the occasion is to dedicate an area of your home for studying – and nothing else. You don’t have to spend a lot of money, but you do need to give what you’ll need some consideration. Here’s what you need to think about:

1. Where to go? Your study space needs to be somewhere that’s away from the beaten path. You don’t want to overhear other people’s conversations or the sound of a television. Make sure that you’re not facing a window; instead, put your work surface against a wall. You’ll want plenty of work space for a computer, keyboard and textbooks.

2. Seating. Back support is important for long periods of study. Comfort shouldn’t be overlooked either, but make sure that lounging on a sofa isn’t your only choice. It’s far too easy to get drowsy when reading while lying down. A padded, adjustable desk chair is the best choice.

3. Lighting. Natural sunlight is the best way to go in that it serves as a stimulant and keeps you alert. If that’s not always readily available, or if you’re studying at night, table lamps work fine. Try to avoid fluorescent lighting because they are constantly flickering and the eyes have to work to adjust to it. Avoiding eye strain is a key component to keeping yourself ready for a long study session.

4. White noise or music? While it’s true that some people have come to do pretty much everything while plugged in to music, heavy lyrics make it very difficult to concentrate on studying. If you must listen to music in order to block out other sounds, try instrumentals or perhaps give nature sounds a try. If you are among the few who still prefer total silence while focusing on your work, make sure the area that you’ve chosen provides plenty of quiet.

5. Odds and ends. You should have a cork board on the wall, a calendar to keep track of due dates and a small shelf for easy access to your books. You’ll also need a stash of non-sugary snacks and drinks so you don’t run out of fuel halfway through your work.

It’s best to use your area exclusively for studying and not let it turn into a place to relax or recreate. Once you consider all of these things, you should be much easier to focus on reading and projects.

Julie Clark Robinson is an education writer whose articles advise students on choosing an online college and selecting reasonably priced online degree programs.