What it is
When studying, the environment can be a large factor in success, because it can shape your ability to focus effectively on the material. By creating an environment that is specifically for studying, you can optimize retention and recall as well as extend your focus attention span. This has really helped me with my AuDHD distractibility because it limits the exposure to distractions.
How to do it
When creating a study environment, keep the following points in mind:
- Keep the area free of distractions, like TV or a bed.
- Find an area away from others.
- Minimize music. Limit it to calm vocalless tracks, or avoid it entirely. Consider ambient noise like café background noise or white noise.
- Find the right balance of comfort. A hard rigid chair won't be comfortable for long sessions, but something too soft may put you to sleep.
- Make sure the ergonomics of the space are fitting for your studying. Desks should be at the proper height and angle, with appropriate lighting, etc.
- Keep a Pomodoro timer nearby for time chunking.
- If studying from a computer, disable access to non-academic websites and other distracting applications.
- Make sure that you have the materials that you need for studying readily available, so you don't have to search for them mid study session.
- Don't bring your phone into your study area. Consider additionally setting it on silent or do not disturb mode.
- Don't use the space for anything else. Train your body to recognize this space as specifically intended for study. A corner of the room with the desk facing a blank wall will work. The couch in the middle of the common living space is far less ideal.
- Some suggest buying a cheap table lamp to place in your study area. Train yourself to turn it on when you begin studying, and turn it off when you're done. This extra visual cue will help keep you focused.
- Study consistently within this one space, rather than studying in many different places. The cues will be more effective if they are consistently triggered.
- When attempting to recall information covered during a study session, eg during an exam, picture yourself within your study space with its environmental cues to help stimulate your memory.
- If appropriate, include a stim toy that specifically won't be a distraction, eg choose a fidget spinner over a Rubix cube.
- Consider natural light sources and temperature. Both can affect productivity and focus.
- Consider a standing desk.
Continue to refine your space as you find things that work or don't work for you.
When to apply it
Set up your study space at the beginning of the class, so that it will be immediately available once you start having material to process. If you have consumable supplies such as notebooks, sticky notes, pencils, or highlighters that you use during study sessions, restock them regularly to keep the space ready to use.
At the end of each study session, clean up and organize the space. Knolling only takes a few seconds and will make the space more inviting when you next return to it.
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