Creating a Productive Study Space

Written by: Coach Alison Lake

The perfect work space for homework and studying is not one-size-fits-all. Everyone works differently, but having an organized space is a universal way to ensure productivity and good use of time.

Choose Your Space

When identifying the best study space for you, keep in mind comfort, lighting, household activity, available furniture, temperature, etc. Ideally, the most productive work space is free of distractions and not in a high-traffic area in the home. If it's in the student's bedroom, work should be done on a desk or table, not on the bed. The most efficient and effective setup is separate from other activities that might be going on in the house, and has enough space for all the items you need.

Remove Clutter

Within the study space and, if possible, within eyesight, remove any items that aren't needed for assignments. Visually, a simple setup makes it easier to focus on the task at hand and not become distracted. It might not be possible to remove all unrelated items from the line of vision, but if the workspace only has the items you need, staying organized will become second-nature. Keep the area clean and dispose of any trash daily. An organized, pleasing area helps keep the brain uncluttered as well. 

Keep Materials Close By

It's important to keep all necessary materials very handy so they can be easily grabbed from an arm's length. These may include a planner, binders, folders, pens and pencils, calculator, notebook paper, laptop, timer, and any other items needed to study and complete homework on that day. Having to hunt around for items each day can be disruptive and time-consuming. Studying will be much more efficient if everything you need is close by. 

Ensure Comfort

The most productive study space should be ergonomically sound, with a comfortable, supportive chair, and a table or desk that's at the right height for the student. While a bed is comfortable, it's not supportive enough for study and encourages bad posture and distraction. 

Also consider neck position at the desk or table. Hunching over a laptop or book for long periods can lead to neck and shoulder pain. Prop up a monitor or laptop on a couple books if you have a separate keyboard or don't need to type when watching a video, for example. And consider using a textbook stand so the book is positioned directly in the line of sight.

Adjust the room lighting so it's bright enough to protect your eyes but not so bright that it causes a headache, and draw the blinds if needed to keep out direct sunlight. 

Reduce Distractions

It may be impossible to remove all distractions, but try to set up a permanent workspace that's not right in the middle of nightly dinner, sibling playtime, or the TV area. Try to avoid places in the house where family members and pets will be walking by frequently. Keep smartphones and other smart devices out of eyesight or turn off unnecessary notifications. Wear noise-canceling headphones if needed. 

Make Adjustments

Above all, don't hesitate to make slight changes to the study environment if something isn't working quite right. Move somewhere else, rearrange belongings, or try a different chair to find the right setup for you.