Believe it or not, it is already time to think about back to school! The building is freshly painted, and the floors are shining. The teachers are busily arranging their rooms to ensure another successful year in the classroom. Now is also the time to evaluate your home study space – an important factor in any student’s success. Do you have a dedicated space for school work? If so, give some thought to how it is set up, and read over the tips in this article to make sure it is working well for you. Are you one of those people who prefers a less-structured approach? I challenge you to reconsider it in light of the benefits listed here and then set up your own study space for the coming school year.
Benefits of a Home Work Space
Time – the greatest benefit of a home work space is time. By having all supplies and reference materials on hand, students eliminate the constant interruptions of having to stop and start as they look for needed materials.
Efficiency – Research shows that the human mind is able to associate environments with particular activities. For example, over time, our brains associate the bed as the environment for sleep. For this reason, many students unwittingly discover they fall asleep when they study in bed! Likewise, when they have a dedicated workspace, over time, their brain begins to associate that space with study, and they are able to focus and work effectively using that space.
Effectiveness – Managed well, a home work space can become the single location for all things related to school work. It is the drop off point for the backpack at the end of the school day and the place to find any school-related assignments. This means students can be more effective in keeping up with their belongings and can arrive at school prepared for their day with less stress.
Elements of a Study Space
Your space should reflect your personality; thus, it most likely will be as unique as you are. However, since it is primarily the place where you will do your homework, there are some important basic elements you should try to include:
- A desk and comfortable task chair
- A good light
- Access to electrical outlets for a computer/printer (if needed)
- A bulletin board and calendar
- A trash can
- Basic supplies – paper, pens & pencils, hole punch, stapler
- Useful reference books – dictionary, thesaurus, atlas
Remember! While most of your studying and assignments are probably best done at your study space, there are times for you to explore “outside the box.” If you have a reading assignment for Literature, consider curling up in a comfy chair by the window – even outdoors can be great on a cool autumn day!
Choosing Your Study Space
Make the most of your study time by making sure your study space is in a place that works well.
GREAT STUDY AREAS
- in your room at a desk
- in a calm corner of the house
- in a quiet park or the public library
POOR STUDY AREAS
- in front of the TV (too distracting!)
- in your room on the bed (you’ll fall asleep!)
- on a bus or van (too noisy!)
Think you don’t have a spot for a home study space? Get creative! Store the necessary items in a bin that can be easily accessed near your kitchen or dining room table and invest in a large basket for storing backpacks. Or consider using a large closet, or an area in a finished basement or attic.
Ideally, if you have a dedicated spot identified, you want to make your space welcoming, so that studying will be as enjoyable as possible.
Tips for Studying at Home
- Study in a calm, quiet place.
- Eliminate distractions – turn off the radio or television, sign out of social media, turn off your phone.
- Consider studying at the same time of day. Let friends and family know that you are doing homework during that time, so they know to leave you alone.
- Update the reference materials you keep on hand as your needs change. For example, if you are studying Spanish, you might add a Spanish-English dictionary to your reference materials.
- Create a home filing system to organize papers you no longer need to keep in your binder. Depending on the amount of paperwork you have, you can consider an accordion folder (one for each subject), a file box, or even a storage basket with file folders, color-coded by subject.
- Post a calendar to keep track of tests, project deadlines, and other important dates.
- Each evening, repack your backpack for the next day. That way, you’re not rushing around the next morning looking for what you need. You can begin your day relaxed and ready to go.
Want to Know More?
To learn more about creating a home study space, check out these useful reference sites:
- How to Make a Study Space Wiki
- Create a Study Space to Improve Study Skills
- How to Turn a Room into a Study Space without Stripping Away Its Character
- Study Space Inspiration for Teens
