Whether you’re in primary school, secondary school or university, developing good study habits will dramatically increase your odds for success.
Key to developing good study habits is having a good study place. The very informative website www.how-to-study.com provides the following checklist when determining if your designated study place will be conducive to good results.
- Your study place should be available whenever you need it. If you are using a place that you must share with others, work out a schedule so you know when you can use it.
- Your study place should be free from interruptions. You may have to hang a DO NOT DISTURB sign on the door or take the phone off the hook.
- Your study place should be free from distractions. Research shows that most students study best in a quiet environment. If you find that playing a stereo or TV improves your mood, keep the volume low.
- Your study place should contain all the materials you need. Be sure you have reference sources, pens, pencils, paper, ruler, calculator and whatever else you might need. If you use a computer for your schoolwork, it should be in your study place.
- Your study place needs to be large enough to contain a desk or table.
- Your study place should have plenty of storage space so that you can work on an uncluttered surface.
- Your study place should have a comfortable chair. A chair that isn’t comfortable can cause distracting discomfort or pain. A chair that is too comfortable can make you sleepy. Select a chair in which you can sit for long periods of time while maintaining your attention.
- Your study place should have adequate lighting. Adequate will depend on what you’re doing. The important thing is that you can see clearly without strain or discomfort.
- Your study place should have a comfortable temperature. Too warm and you’ll get sleepy. Too cold and your thinking could slow down and become unclear.
