Due to the corona measures, students will not be able to go to school for a while. That means they have to study at home. How can you create a good study environment at home where you can get your school work done in a pleasant and effective manner? Don't worry, we've got your back. After reading these tips, you'll be ready to go!
- Clear desk = clear head
Everyone has their own idea of what their ideal study environment should look like. Most people are generally able to study more effectively in a quiet environment without any immediate distractions. The first thing you should therefore do is clean your desk and make sure there is no clutter in sight. Remember: a clear desk leads to a clear head. - The right facilities
Another requirement for a comfortable study environment is having the right facilities. Think of a (clean) desk with enough room for your laptop and books, as well as a comfortable chair, plenty of power outlets, a good internet connection and a desk lamp. - Green is good
Is your study environment looking a bit drab? Liven it up with a few touches of green! Besides looking great, it is also very useful. It turns out that having some plants in your workspace boosts your concentration and productivity. Watching nature is also said to help reduce your stress level. Did you know that some plants actually purify the air around you? How great is that?! - Smile for the camera
Are your classes being taught as usual, just like at Tio University? While working on a project, for example, it helps to be able to confer with your fellow students via a webcam. Although you may need some time to get used to communicating via a screen, it is certainly useful. This will allow you to study together remotely. - The right temperature
The ideal temperature at which to study differs per person. In general, however, it is better to make your room slightly too cold rather than too warm. If you are (too) warm, you will start to feel drowsy and your productivity will drop. That's exactly what you don't want while you're studying. If you can, open a window to let some fresh air in. It'll do wonders for your concentration. - Inform others
Because of the corona measures, many people are stuck at home. That can certainly be a lot of fun, but it's not necessarily good for your productivity. Let others in your house know when you want to be left alone so you can study without being interrupted. Vice versa, you should leave them alone when they want to get some work done. - Make sure there is plenty of light
Working in an environment that is (too) dark will tire out your eyes more quickly, while bright fluorescent lighting is not good for your brain. It is therefore important to have plenty of natural light in your study environment. If that is not available or if you are studying in the evening, make sure to get a good desk lamp instead. - Switch your smartphone to airplane mode
It seems innocent enough: reply to some WhatsApp messages or quickly respond to an incoming email. Before you know it, though, fifteen minutes have gone by. No matter how tempting it is to check your smartphone every five minutes, it is a major source of distraction. After every distraction, your brain needs a minute to focus on the task at hand. As you can see, this is a very inefficient way to study. By switching your smartphone to airplane mode and eliminating all other immediate distractions, you will be able to retain your study material more effectively and get your work done quicker. - Eliminate distracting noise
Are you being distracted by noisy housemates or other sounds? Put your headphones on and listen to some calming music. If, on the other hand, you find it easier to concentrate when it's absolutely quiet, a pair of noise-cancelling headphones might do the trick for you. - Let it go
Make a habit out of switching off your computer, putting away your books and cleaning up your desk at the end of every day. Going for a stroll outside will also help you end the working day effectively. If you have any unfinished tasks running through your head, write them down on a to-do list for the next day. This is a great way to let everything go and get some closure at the end of every day. - Stay motivated
Studying is hard work and studying at home requires even more discipline than usual. A bit of extra motivation certainly can't hurt. Set up your study environment in a way that reminds you of your (career) goals. Think of e.g. inspirational quotes, a picture of your role model or a description of your dream job. At times when you're feeling down, these things will remind you of what you are doing it all for. If you can dream it, you can do it!