MY MEDALLION
Fall is approaching and before you know it you’ll be starting a brand new academic year! We recommend students start thinking now about how to create a great study space at home; it will make staying on top of homework and doing special projects that much easier throughout the school year. Here are our top 4 tips to create an at-home study space.
Find A Quiet Area
Try to find a quiet space in your home, either an unused (or underused) room. If the spot you’re choosing is out in the open, make sure it’s at least tucked away a bit and not in a high traffic area. Ideally this space will be devoted to learning only. If you’re lucky enough to have a spare bedroom or a home office, use it for this exclusive purpose. Quiet tends to equal productive, so a space that is at least somewhat removed from the hustle and bustle of the rest of your living space works best.
Don’t Be Afraid To Design A Shared Workspace
Just because a workspace is quiet doesn’t mean it can’t accommodate more than one person at a time. If you live with a partner or roommate who is also a student, design a space so it accommodates both of your needs. This way, you’ll have a go-to work-from-home space whenever it’s needed, and you can even collaborate and help each other study. Make sure there’s enough physical space to fit larger projects that require spreading out and/or displaying materials for multiple people. Sometimes working quietly in tandem can spur everyone on to even greater productivity!
Insist On Comfort
Make sure whatever you buy for your home study space is comfortable no matter what the price point. The desk should be large enough to hold a number of items all at once, including textbooks, a laptop or desktop computer, notes, and school supplies. A well-fitting, ergonomic desk chair is important for good posture and circulation; it should also provide good lower back support. Lighting fits into this category as well, as you want the space to be properly illuminated in order to avoid eye strain.
Keep It Distraction-Free
Resist the temptation to make the space more appealing by allowing a few seemingly harmless distractions. Remember the goal: to create a work-friendly area that will be a comfortable place to retreat to in order to focus and concentrate on homework. Those innocent distractions may prove too tempting, so it’s better not to allow them at all. Try to avoid letting any clutter pile up—keeping the area clean will promote concentration and focus. When it comes to taking breaks, it can be useful to go to a different part of your home in order to separate spaces for studying and spaces for relaxation.
Have fun putting together your at-home study space! Thanks for reading and don’t forget to follow the Medallion blog for more tips on creating a work-friendly environment at home.
