How to Create a Productive Study Space

Unlike at high school, a large percentage of the time you dedicate to your classes at university involves studying on your own. To make the most of the time you have available for studying, you need to be productive. This means having a comfortable spot where you can focus. Here are several ways to create just such a study space.

1. Choose the Right Location

Pick a location that will be your primary study spot. You may like to change things up occasionally — in fact, switching location can be a good idea if you hit a block and need inspiration, such as when writing a challenging paper. Nonetheless, it’s useful to have a principal location that you use most of the time and that puts you in the mood for studying.

The right location will be somewhere quiet where you can work undisturbed. If it’s not in your apartment itself, it should at least be near where you live, such as a study room within your building. Choose the right place for you by thinking about whether you focus better when you’re on your own or when you have other people around.

2. Ensure There’s Sufficient Lighting

Whether you’re creating your own study space or choosing between existing ones, you need to ensure you have enough light to avoid straining your eyes. Allowing plenty of natural light to illuminate your space during the day is useful, whereas you may need a desk lamp after dark.

3. Store Your Study Materials in One Place

Keep everything you need for studying stored in one place. This will mean you can easily find what you need when you sit down to study and you can take everything with you when you’re studying elsewhere, such as if you want to fit in a quick session between classes.

4. Motivate Yourself

Add something to your study area that inspires you. This could be as simple as a note to yourself or something more involved, like a full mood board that expresses your desires for the future. Whatever you choose, it should remind you of why you’re studying and push you to keep going when you face tough times.

5. Block Out Distracting Sounds

Some people like to study in silence, whereas others find some background noise helpful. Depending on your preferences, you may like to block out sounds that could distract you with white noise, music, or noise-canceling headphones.

6. Create a Study Schedule

Decide when to study according to when you know you can be most productive, you’ll have access to your study space, and you can expect the fewest distractions. You may find that certain times of the day are best for certain types of activities.

Students often find it impossible to create a productive study space when they live on campus. An alternative to an OTU residence where you’ll always be able to study in peace is Foundry 1805. You’ll have a private or semi-private bedroom, fully furnished with a desk and chair. Plus, if you prefer, you can use one of our study rooms — they’re open 24 hours a day. Apply now while there are still some units available.