Building the Ideal Study Space

 

NAVIGATING CHALLENGING WATERS WITH STORMPORT — A Message from Our Founder, Adam Whistler

The philosophy behind our newsletter, Stormport, builds on the safety a boat in a storm feels when reaching port. In the new distance learning environment, with similarities to rough and uncharted waters, this newsletter serves as a sense of calm with guidance and helpful resources parents and students can use for academic success.

BUILDING THE IDEAL STUDY SPACE

Along with the time structure and preparation for online coursework, the physical space used for studying has a large impact on academic success. You can help your children create a space that keeps them focused and engaged during study time. This space should be designated for studying only, to help create associations between the physical area and goals to be accomplished. Make sure the area is quiet and limited from distractions.

Think of this area as a field for sports. You can hang out and joke around in the locker room with friends, but once you step on the field, you’re there to work. Just like the field, keep your study space for performance only!

Creating these different environments allows your brain to categorize what activities should be completed in that space. Studies have also shown that quiet environments allow for more effective reading comprehension, especially those free from background speech and even lyrical music.

Here are some other key tips for your child to employ for an effective study environment:

  • Dress to impress: While you won’t have to leave your house for online schooling, getting up and changing the into school clothes can actually impact academic performance. Researchers at Iowa State University found cognitive performance increases, especially with more business-like or professional clothing.

  • Find natural light: Access to natural lighting has shown to keep students more focused and engaged for longer study sessions compared to yellow and artificial lighting.

  • Turn your phone off: One of the largest distractions to our learning environments are our cell phones. Consider turning it off during study time, or even better, keeping it out of the study space completely.

Keep all work materials in this space and take a step away for breaks and all activities not related to getting work done. Physical spaces have psychological associations with behavior, so creating a “study space” only for studying will keep intentions and actions focused and deliberate.

STUDY SPACE CHECKLIST

Everyone’s ideal study space will be different, but there are key elements and materials to include for optimal learning. We’ve put together a checklist with necessary and recommended items for the upcoming school year. These are our top 5 study space recommendations:

  1. Calendar / planner: Having a physical calendar or planner will help to keep due dates visible and map out objectives and commitments for the day.

  2. File / notebook organizer: While many assignments will be submitted online, we recommend taking notes by hand for increased memory retention. Adding an organize will keep these notebooks tidy for a clutter-free workspace.

  3. Power outlet / extension cord: Because online learning will require access to laptops or tablets throughout the day, keeping your devices charged in the study space is crucial. Chargers should stay in the workspace to avoid searching for them daily.

  4. Headphones: Video conferencing will become a staple of distance learning for your child. Having headphones (ideally with a microphone) will help keep the space quiet for others studying and working nearby, as well as keep your child engaged and undistracted from outside noise during lessons.

  5. Study chair: The chair used in the study space should be conducive to productivity. It should have a high back to allow your child to sit up straight with their feet on the floor. This places less strain on the body and is linked to increased efficiency and productivity.

RECOMMENDED READING

For further information and resources on distance learning and study environments, we recommend the following articles:

 
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