BecomingWhoYouWantToBe

Summer is gone, the school year is beginning, and before you know it you’ll be facing mid-terms. There’s one way to take the sting out of studying – prepare a place that’s exclusively meant for you to study in. This isn’t an excuse to go shopping, it’s an exercise in preparation. Let’s get started:

1. Location. You’ll need a space that’s away from others so you won’t be distracted by their conversations. Televisions, of course, are to be avoided at all costs. The desk, or table if you’d rather, should face a corner or a wall instead of a window to keep daydreaming to a minimum. It should have plenty of flat space so you can spread out textbooks or use a computer.

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. Soundtrack. Some people require total silence, while others tend to do better when there’s a low level of music in the background to block out other sounds. If you are one of these people, your study area should include some way to play music. It needs to be kept at a low volume, or be instrumental to avoid paying attention to the lyrics rather than the task at hand.

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.

Now that you’ve put some time into creating an environment that will help you succeed with your school work, there’s just one more thing. Try to avoid using this area for play or relaxing. It’s now a dedicated space for thinking.