Setting yourself up for successful study sessions starts with your work environment. A relaxing environment improves focus, mental clarity and agility, and makes it easier for you to recall and retain information. The winter is also the perfect time to create a warm, cozy, relaxing work environment. Not only will it help improve your study habits, it will also help chase away the ‘cold weather blues.’ Here are a few ideas for creating a healthy study area and more.

Declutter and Get Organized

A clean, organized study space is good for your mind, health and study habits. The more organized your space, the more time you will want to spend studying. Decluttering and organizing can improve focus and clarity, allowing you to more efficiently recall and retain information. It can also minimize distractions caused by unpleasant odours or dirty and unkempt areas; e.g. a stinky pile of laundry, a stack of crusty dishes, or scattered balls of paper. Moreover, an organized space makes it easier to find essential study materials, such as your notes, pens, pencils, important paperwork, etc.

Dirty environments increase allergens, leading to minor respiratory issues, headaches, and more. Health issues caused by your work environment can make it impossible to concentrate, not to mention make studying undesirable. Make sure your study space is clean, decluttered, and organized. It will make the studying experience more enjoyable while providing peace of mind.

Choose Good Lighting

Lighting is an important component of a room’s ambience, style, comfort, and practicality. Different types of lighting can send different types of messages. They can also evoke different types of emotions. Stark, bright lights can heighten anxiety, stress, nervousness, and discomfort while make you almost too alert. This type of lighting can also be distracting, harsh, and visually unappealing. On the other hand, low lights can heighten sadness and/or depression or become too relaxing, prompting sleepiness or even laziness. For the healthiest work environment, choose natural lighting or lighting that is as close to natural as possible. Additionally, ensure your lighting is medium bright with a cool, blue hue. Make sure your lighting choices also include a practical desk lamp. Desk lamps are useful in low light situations and can help protect your eyes from damage caused by straining.

Personalize Your Space

Personalization can make any space feel like home or simply like it truly belongs to you. This also applies to a study space, and it can promote proactive studying. Pairing décor that reflects your style and personality with personal photos and posters of inspirational affirmations and quotes could also provide motivation. Adding accents in calming colours and patterns can also help improve mental clarity and focus. Colours in shades of blue, green, and purple are known to promote peace, balance, and tranquility. If you live in our student housing near Brock University and Niagara College this décor can be a part of your home environment, which could also help you create a healthy study environment.

Ramp Up the Comfort

A comfortable work environment can improve focus and productivity. And creating a comfortable workspace is all about finding balance. This means creating a space that is both physically comforting and conducive to organized, efficient studying. Thus, your study space should include comfortable seating, nice lighting, a desk, and all the study materials you will need. Your room should also be set to the perfect temperature. In the winter (and in any season), this perfect temperature should be not too warm but not too cold. Being hot or cold can be distracting. However, this is the case with every form of physical discomfort, which is why your study space should be as comfortable as possible.

Comfort will help minimize distractions, improve concentration and relaxation, lower stress, and help you study as efficiently as possible. For the greatest effect, only study at a desk with a comfortable chair. It may be tempting to study on the bed or a nice bean bag chair, but these structures can almost be too comfortable. If you’re slumped in a bean bag chair or lying on the bed, these physical positions could send brain signals associated with sleepiness.

Regent Student Living was designed with students in mind. With comfortable suites, private bedrooms and group study lounges, success is within reach!