From elementary school to college to graduate school, students all over the world are faced with the same challenge every day: to find the best place and technique for studying. Homework must be completed and tests must be studied for, in order to be successful in their educational endeavors. Unfortunately, many students struggle with performing these tasks, because they have not found an ideal place in which to carry them out. Luckily, it can be easy for any student to create an effective, study-friendly environment by incorporating 6 essential components.
- Creation of a Studious Atmosphere
One of the first things a student can do to develop their personal study-friendly environment is to create an atmosphere conducive to concentration. One way to do so is to add some relaxing nature sounds or gentle music with no lyrics. While loud music and noises are detrimental to studying, it can be beneficial to add quiet background noise to drown out any unwanted noise. Another way to add to a studious atmosphere is to use aromatech scent machines to diffuse pleasing smells. The use of stimulating scents in a diffuser can energize the body and mind and lead to more effective studying.
- Presence of All Essential Materials at Fingertips
Before a student begins studying for a test or working on a homework assignment, it is important that they gather any and all materials that they may need to complete the task. This includes not only the textbook, workbook, worksheet, and/or study guide but also notebook paper, scratch paper, multiple writing utensils, and any specialized materials that may be needed. If the study session is expected to take longer than an hour, it may be beneficial to choose a drink and a few snacks to be consumed during a short study breaks. Having all the necessary materials at the student’s disposal allows them to work uninterrupted for a longer time period and with greater concentration.
- Selection of a Quiet Area
It is common for students to feel that they can multitask while studying. Watching television, listening to loud music, and looking at one’s smartphone have become commonplace during homework time and study sessions. However, these practices are usually detrimental to a student’s performance. It is much better for them to study in a quiet environment. Studying in a quiet environment has been shown to have many advantages. First, it allows the student to have better concentration. Second, when a student concentrates better, they often learn the material at a deeper and faster rate. Last, it typically leads to higher quality work.
- Usage of a Confined Space
Many students choose to study in a cafeteria, large library room, or even outdoors. While this can be an effective method for some students, for many others it is not ideal. Places such as these often have a greater number of potential distractions, such as noise, people, cars, and more. For most people, it is better to choose a study space that is more confined. While a private room in which one’s surroundings can be completely controlled, such as a bedroom, is ideal, any place with at least three walls will work, even if no door is present. A quiet corner of the library blocked by a bookshelf or a library study corral makes a good study environment.
- Utilization of a Clean Space
One often overlooked aspect of creating a successful study space is the tidiness of the room. A messy environment can have a negative impact on a student’s mental state, and therefore lead to less effective studying. There are many downsides to having a messy room. For example, studies have shown that the presence of clutter can make it more difficult to focus on a particular task. In addition, it can make the environment feel less restful and restorative. These effects can lead to inefficient studying and poor performance on exams and homework.
- Allotment of an Appropriate Amount of Time
One of the most important components of creating a study-friendly environment is allocating enough time to get all necessary studying and homework done. Many students underestimate the amount of time they need to prepare for a test or complete an assignment. This leads them to rush through their work and perform poorly. The amount of study time a student needs varies greatly by age and class. One rule of thumb for college students is to allow one hour of study time per week per credit hour. If a student is unsure of how much time an assignment should take, they should ask their teacher for guidance.
It is not always easy for students to find a great study space and carve out enough time for homework. Many of them have a variety of extra-curricular activities they are involved in. In addition, there are many distractions that students must deal with. Finally, some students just don’t know how to begin. However, by keeping in mind these 6 components to a study-friendly environment, every student can create their ideal study space and be successful.
