Have a good desk. Find a desk or table with a top that rests somewhere between your waist and ribcage when you sit at it, so that your elbows can rest easily upon it without having to hunch your shoulders forward. You also want to be able to rest your feet flat on the ground. Use a comfortable chair that fits the height of the desk / table. You may want to skip the fancier desk chairs that rotate, roll, recline, lift, etc., if these will only become distractions. If you are using a computer, you want enough space to place it about 1 ½ to 2 ½ feet away from you.
Kill distractions. Your phone, and TV are not your friends when it comes to studying. Donât rely on willpower: put obstacles between yourself and the distractions.
Turn your phone off - or at least put it on silent and leave it across the room, where you canât fiddle with it.
Use browser extensions like LeechBlock and Nanny to block distracting websites. Hereâs a more extensive list of blocking extensions and apps (for phones, and laptops). Setting yourself regular breaks can help you avoid temptation during work time because you can use the time to check your phone.
Tidy up. Clearing away the clutter from your study space should help clear your mind, allowing you to focus on the job at hand. Youâll also avoid losing important notes in piles of disorganized paperwork.
Light it up. Ensure thereâs good lighting in your study space. If itâs too dark to read, you wonât get very far. During the day, working by the window or even outside can give you the best light to work by. Remember that lamps can be bought for just a few pounds if you donât want to use your light.
Get settled⌠A comfortable chair will keep you working more effectively than an uncomfortable one. Avoid sofas, and your bed; those areas should be for relaxing alone or you might find it difficult to drift off at night.
âŚor get moving. Study doesnât have to be still. If you are the sort of person who doesnât like to sit still all the time, get on your feet and pace around while repeating what youâre studying aloud. I enjoy walking around my room, catching a ball while reciting facts, or talking through a theory.
Find the right background noise. A little bit of background noise can block out distractions and help you concentrate - but the wrong kind can be a distraction in itself. Instrumental music is generally considered the best choice, as lyrics tend to be more distracting. Alternatively, there are lots of websites and apps that play rain noises, cafe sounds or white noise. Thereâs a list of music options and links here.
Be equipped. Make sure that you have all the books, resources and equipment needed to get the job done when you start - that way, you wonât be constantly stopping and starting to go and fetch things. Try to keep everything that you need within reach of your desk (e.g. a nearby drawer, pencil pots, boxes).
Consider a clock. This depends on the type of person you are. Will a clock motivate you to keep studying for an hour more, or remind you that your favourite show is on in only 15 minutes.
Try using a clock to set time-related study goals. You can also use the clock or timer feature on your phone or a watch to help you do this.
You could also try out a timer for even more precise time-keeping, especially if you are preparing for a timed exam.
If the tick-tock of a clock bothers you, go digital, or get a sand timer.
Shut out the outside world. The outside world is a dangerous place, full of noises and people coming to distract you. Shut the door to build yourself a private study cocoon. If anyone needs you, they can knock. If your family are distracting you, explain how important your studying is and ask that they respect that you need privacy.
Get the temperature right. Try to get the temperature right in your study space. If itâs too hot or cold, you may not be at your most productive. Itâs hard to write neatly when youâre shivering.
Decorate to motivate. Adorning your study space with posters, signs, and photos that are important to you may help give you that boost to keep going. Just make sure they donât become distractions.
Figure out what kind of motivation works for you. A picture of your family or a beloved pet? A poster of the car you hope to get after you pass these exams and graduate? Copies of your earlier exams in chemistry with poor scores that you are determined to improve upon? Determine whether you need more of a âpushâ or a âpullâ to keep you motivated.
If you want decoration inspiration, check out my study space tag.
Donât go overboard. Remember that the purpose of a study space is to help you study more effectively. If you spend too long trying to set up your space just so and end up significantly reducing your actual study time, you will be doing yourself a disservice. A study space meant to limit distractions can become a distraction itself.
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