How To: Creative a Productive Study Environment

Imagine this: you’re snuggled up in a soft blanket on your bed with the lights low, your hand in a snack bowl and your study supplies laid out in no particular order around you.

1. Not your style? How about sitting at your desk with all the lights on, everything organized with no distractions, a highlighter in one hand and a pen in the other.

Still no? Maybe you can identify with both?

No matter which one you relate to more, I’m here to help you create a productive study environment that should include all your basic needs.

The first step to creating a productive study area is to know which way you learn best. You are the only person who knows the ways you can learn, so I would suggest figuring that out first.

There are two major learning preference categories that I would look into. One would be Analytical learning, which is associated with taking preference of using the left side of your brain more, such as the logical, analytical, and verbal areas of the brain. The other would be Global learning, which is associated with the right side of the brain and deals with creativity, intuition, and imagination.

Once you have deduced which learning style you take to most, you can then determine which study methods help you the best.

For Global Learners, while studying isn’t the most appealing activity to spend your time on, you have multiple traits that combined can contribute to making an efficient study area. As a Global learner, you most likely are able to recall images and patterns; something that you can add to your studying to exercise this ability would be to write down whatever you need to remember. That way it will be easier to recall at a later date. Although your bed is probably comfy, it’s not the most productive area you can get your work done. We all know that studying in bed may make you want to fall asleep. So instead, I would recommend a comfy chair. That way, you are still getting the comfy factor but you are less tempted to fall asleep because of your upright position. Also, if you often find yourself at a loss when studying alone, I would suggest creating a study group or having someone there to help you understand the information better.

For Analytical learners, you have numerous characteristics that are perfect for creating a productive study area, but some procrastinators may need a little push. I would recommend making lists and/or outlines. Lists and outlines can help you physically figure out what you need to do and when you need to do it. I would also recommend summarizing whenever you can; this will help you in the long run, whether it’s for finding specific details or understanding a concept that you had forgotten about. As an Analytical learner, you may have noticed that you are unable to work in areas with a series of distractions and I understand that it can get overwhelming, so to combat this, I would advise you to go to the library or a quiet area in your house to get away from all the interruptions.

For Global and Analytical learners alike, I would recommend to always keep yourself hydrated, take frequent breaks, and have a snack nearby just in case; you never know when you may need one. I would also suggest keeping a phone and/or computer close for additional research or a little background music. Although I know they’re enticing, don’t let them distract you from what’s really important. I would also greatly urge you to get an adequate amount of sleep every night; it does wonders in terms of attention span, attitude, memory, and stress.

I hope you found some of these tips helpful and to start integrating them into your study process.