Creating an optimal study environment

Anyone who has tried to study for extended periods of time will know that the environment you study in can have a massive impact on the efficacy of your study session. Studying can at times be boring, and difficult, and many people find it hard to focus. Optimising your study environment can make studying much easier, and help you focus for longer. Everyone’s optimal study environment will look different, so make sure to try out some things to see 

what works for you.

Have a dedicated study space

Whilst the temptation to study on your bed may be strong, having a dedicated study space where you only study is going to help massively. As soon as you go there, your brain will associate it with work and will make it much easier to begin studying. This space does not have to be massive, simply somewhere you consistently sit down and study at. It could be as simple as your dining table, or a desk in your room, as long as it is dedicated to studying and not leisure. 

Noise levels

This is an interesting one, as everyone has different preferences for studying, so make sure to try a few things out. Some people prefer studying in complete silence, whereas some people prefer background noise such as perhaps the background noise from studying in a cafe, or listening to music as you study. Whatever it is, ensure it is not distracting and that you are comfortable in that space. 

Staying organised

Having a neat study space is often overlooked, but having somewhere to work that is always neat and organised with everything you need to work is incredibly helpful. You may not necessarily enjoy the studying you have to do all the time, so anything that makes it easier for you to sit down and work such as having everything you need will definitely make the process easier. It also avoids distractions as your work is not interrupted every time you need to get up to find something you need.

Try different environments

On days where you need to do a lot of studying, sitting in the same place for hours on end can get boring and is frankly not good for you mentally or physically. Try out different study environments such as libraries, cafes or even outdoors if the weather is good. This will allow you to create some variety and keep it interesting, but also getting out of your house is great for your mental health. Just because you have a day of intense work, it does not mean you neglect your mental health! Some people struggle to work in silence, so cafes are perfect, as you have some background noise and can even snack as you work, whereas others prefer silence so libraries are perfect for them. 

Studying is something that can be difficult, and finding out how you work best is a process, but once you figure it out, it will be much easier to work effectively. The only way to figure it out, however, is to simply try a lot of different things. This time, when you are young, is the best time to experiment with different study styles and figure it out. I also urge you to remember to take care of your mental health as you study - take plenty of breaks and consciously keep a track of how you are feeling. Your mental health is your top priority, and will also have a huge impact on how well you can study, so remember to check in with yourself from time to time.