In the days of virtual learning, it’s more important than ever to create a functional space to stay productive and motivated while living at home. Here are five tips to make your space work for you.
1. Find your space.
Some people may find they can work anywhere, but if you’re struggling to concentrate, it may help to clearly define the space you work in. Whether you work in your room, your basement or somewhere else, it helps to make your study space separate from the places where you relax and unwind. Having a consistent space to work in can even increase productivity because your brain will come to associate that area with studying.
2. Set it up.
Once you identify your work space, set it up to maximize productivity. Make sure you have everything you need – like pens, pencils, sticky notes, etc. – nearby. Having everything on hand will keep you from having to take unnecessary breaks to search for something. You should also keep the area as clutter-free as possible to limit distractions and decrease anxiety.
3. Make it comfortable.
Let’s be honest, no one wants to spend hours somewhere uncomfortable. By adding pillows to your chair, increasing lighting and putting up pictures or decor that make you happy, you’ll find your study space is somewhere you actually want to go, even if you don’t feel like working.
4. Keep a schedule.
Since making the transition to online school, you may find your daily routine has gone out the window. Set up a schedule where you block out the time you study and stick to it. Keeping a daily planner or setting alarms and timers on your phone can help with this. Make sure to plan blocks for when you’ll be working on each class, as well as when you’ll be taking a break. By having a time when you are allowed to step away from studying, you’ll be able to focus more when the time comes to work.
5. Set up rules.
While you’re studying, do what you need to limit distractions as much as possible. Figure out if you work best in absolute silence or if you need background noise. Keep your phone in another room if you need to. Setting up rules can also apply to family members, so if you are having to share a space with someone else or if you keep getting distracted by your siblings, let your family know what rules you have and what you need from them. This will give you the privacy and space you need to concentrate on school.
By making these simple changes, you can create a positive, productive space for yourself to power through the rest of the semester. Focus on what you need, and create the space around that.