Advice page – Your study environment

Comfortable – if your study space is uncomfortable then it won’t be a pleasant experience studying there. If you like being in this place, you are more likely to want to spend time there. Try not to make it too comfortable though – having a bed in there, for example, may not be helpful.

Well lit – important so that you don’t strain your eyes…but also the kind of light can make a difference – you might find lamp light that is most similar to daylight is easiest on your eyes. Angle poise lamps are also very useful because you can decide where the light is best placed for the work you are doing.

Quiet – you may live with noisy housemates, but it is very reasonable to ask them not to disturb you for a while, or to turn their music down. They will need to study too so they should be sympathetic. If your room is not quiet then you might want to think about finding another place to study, or try studying at different times in the day when your friends are not in. You may also like studying with music – and this is fine too as long as it is not a distraction.

Available at times that suit you– If you like studying late at night or early in the morning there might be more restrictions on where you can work; although some libraries stay open all night at busy times. If you find that you work best in the morning, for example, then find a study area that is available then and make it clear to others that you need to concentrate.

Not too hot or too cold – Being too hot can make you drowsy, even if it is comfortable, and being too cold can make it hard to type and write and concentrate. Of course this is hard to control sometimes, but it may mean you need different study areas for different times of the year or times of day.

Well equipped with…

Computer access– your own is best.

Desk space – a tidy desk is easier to return to

Space for folders - if not in your study area, then make sure you have another place where you can keep your folders.

Make a few notes here about how you could improve your study environment.

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