Photo: ZSZee, Flikr
Studying can be a dreaded part of university, which can lead to a frustrating and stressful experience. But it can also have the potential to be a time that you can learn to enjoy and benefit from! Here are five ways that you can make your study space both pleasing and efficient:
- Learn which kind of study place you benefit the most from: Individuals have different learning styles, and knowing yours can dramatically enhance your studying. Some students need a constant stream of bustling sounds, music in the background, and maybe a friend to study with. The folio café, mezzanine area, student centre and dorm room lounges are great locations for that kind of studying to take place at CMU. Other students, like myself, prefer quieter atmospheres and less distracting places where you can focus on your thoughts without much distraction. At CMU, I suggest studying in the library, dorm rooms, practice rooms, and the Blaurock café.
- It’s all about the light: Lighting can work wonders for your study experience. Whether it is natural light or a lamp, you should try to have the sort of lighting which keeps you alert but does not cause you to strain your vision or fall asleep.
- Take breaks: It may seem counterproductive to take breaks instead of hunkering down for a couple of hours to get that essay done, but taking an intentional break (like a 15 minute walk or a conversation with a friend) can help you return to your work with more energy and motivation. It also helps prevent sore muscles in the long run.
- Organizational skills: Studying can be much easier if you can organize your thoughts and information ahead of time. Lists, post-it notes, whiteboards, and different coloured pens are all great things which can help keep track of the material and your thought processes as you work yourself through it. These materials can also help you break down lectures into sizeable chunks and highlight important tidbits of information.
- Keep your study space a place where you feel comfortable: Keeping your study space your own can take many shapes and forms. It might mean keeping a tidy desk or sprawling out your books and notes. It can mean having space that has enough space to sit up and stretch, or a couch where you can make a nest using blankets.
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