7 Study environment tips from students who’ve been there

Consider this firsthand advice from students like you to begin building your perfect learning space.

1. Diminish the distractions

Any environment, even a library, can cause you to lose focus. It all depends on your personal study
preferences. Some students find their living spaces too distracting because of chores and other people
in the household. Others can’t concentrate if it’s too quiet. They need  a little hustle and bustle to focus!

The key is that everyone has different preferences. Identifying your distractors and minimizing them will
help you focus on your work. Experiment with background sounds and locations until you find the
golden combination that works for you.

2. Develop a study routine

You can’t always control where you study, but you can develop a routine that tells your brain it’s time to
get to work no matter what environment you find yourself in. “When jumping from task to task, our
bodies and minds have a hard time adjusting. To facilitate faster transitions to get the most out of your
time, create a routine that helps you concentrate,” advises Elizabeth Malson, president of the Amslee
Institute.

Malson recommends using noise-canceling headphones or soft music, essential oils or candles, a healthy
snack and even wearing a “focus hat” with blinders to set the tone for your study session. Whatever you
do, the key is to find a ritual that helps you settle in and focus.

3. Don’t go it alone

Sometimes the right environment is more about the people you’re with than where you’re studying.
Enlisting help from others can be just the thing that gets more extroverted students in the studying
mindset. “Peer study groups are a great environment for sharing ideas and seeking clarification before
an exam,” says Tom Blake, a recent university graduate and owner of This Online World.

Set up a weekly study group in the library for your classmates. If you’re taking online classes, create a
group study environment using a video call service so your peers can work together remotely. Not only
can a standing study date with others increase your accountability, it gives you the opportunity to ask
questions and learn from one another.

4. Try a change of scenery

It might be convenient to study at home, but spouses, kids and a pile of dirty laundry can all become
distractions that derail your focused study time. Even if you’re the only one home, there’s no denying
that your living room couch is more likely to encourage you to watch a streaming service than to hit the
books.

A change of scenery could be all it takes to get you back into study mode. A campus library is an obvious
choice, but if you’re not located near your school, a public library is a good alternative. If you prefer
some background noise while you work, your favorite coffee shop might be ideal. Just don’t forget your
headphones in case your fellow coffee drinkers get too loud!

5. Make your studies portable

Students who get creative with taking their studies on the go can find a great study environment in
some unlikely places. Read a chapter or watch a lecture during your lunch break at work. Keep study
notes on your phone so you can brush up on your facts while sitting in the carpool line, watching
baseball practice or stirring dinner.

Commuting to and from work or school can also be an ideal place to study, thanks to technology. “The
subway may not be a great place to study but with online classes that can be viewed from your phone, it
can work,” says Malson. Those who drive to work can listen to textbooks or lectures on audio.

6. Get a little help from your friends (and family)

“Don’t be afraid to ask friends or family for some of their time to help with your test prep,” Blake says.
Rather than avoid your spouse, children or roommates so you can study, invite them to help by quizzing
you before a test or discussing points from your latest lecture. “Other people around you can provide
valuable feedback, questioning and ideas to help stimulate discussion,” Blake says.

You can even pretend to be the teacher and give your friends or family a crash course on the lesson
you’re focusing on. “If you can explain a concept to another person, you understand the subject matter
quite strongly,” Blake says.

7. Use technology to your advantage

There’s no denying that technology can be a huge help in completing your coursework. Malson points
out that nearly any environment can become a makeshift study room when you have free Wi-Fi
hotspots, tablets and smartwatches at hand. Make the most of the technology you already use by
downloading relevant e-books and audiobooks, planning your study sessions and tracking assignments
with a digital calendar and using study apps to help you prepare for a big test.

But technology is only helpful if you use it the right way. If you find yourself becoming distracted by
texts or social media, it’s time to put your phone away, turn off the TV and get down to business.
Sometimes going unplugged is the best way to bring focus to your work!