Creating Study Spaces: Dos and Don’ts for Online Master’s Students

Most local coffee shops sell an assortment of refreshments and have a cozy mixture of tables and booths. The environment is made to be social and comfortable, and many students find they prefer such a place because there’s enough audible (and edible) stimulation to keep them focused. These students either tune out the chatter and treat it as white noise or use a pair of noise-canceling headphones to block it out. However, the noise and movement of a coffee shop — along with the temptation to spend money on refreshments — may be cons to some students. What’s more, hauling around supplies like textbooks and laptops can be a burden, especially for students who use public transportation.

A coworking space is like a coffee shop in that many people can use it at once, it’s not a silent area, and there’s often a coffee or vending machine for refreshments. Generally, coworking spaces also offer services students might find helpful, like good Wi-Fi or a printer. Since coworking spaces are designed to help people work, there are potentially fewer distractions than in a coffee shop.

One major con of working in a coworking space, however, is that they generally require some type of fee for daily, weekly, or monthly use. Some may also find the noise distracting, since group discussions and people moving around will happen. You’ll also have to follow the often-unspoken rules of shared spaces, such as only listening to music over your headphones. You may also need to bring your study supplies with you, which might feel like everything you own and the kitchen sink.

It is harder to quantify studying from home, as there are several factors that can affect your environment. If you’re lucky enough to have a dedicated home study space, you can keep everything you need in one spot and (hopefully) enjoy some peace and quiet. You also won’t have to work around store closing times or resist tempting snacks. Ideally, a private study space also means you can also control the lighting, noise level, temperature, and general ambiance.

While studying from home is usually more comfortable and convenient, there are a few cons to consider. For example, studying in a home office space requires dedication, self-control, and structure; otherwise, studying when you say you will and avoiding distractions can be challenging. If you share living space with roommates or family, you may also find their presence distracting — especially if you have to set up shop in the living room, kitchen, or another shared space.

Both public and campus libraries are popular options for studying because of the quiet environment and limited distractions. You’ll find chairs, tables, computers, and many resources within a few paces of where you sit. Libraries are often kept a little on the cold side, which can help with concentration, and some even have separate rooms for group study. If you go to a campus library you might even find sections with dedicated noise levels, from collaborative to silent.

Drawbacks of studying in a library include the inability to control the temperature and noise level, as well as the need to be quiet yourself. Depending on the time of year, libraries can also be quite crowded; for example, on-campus libraries may be packed just before midterms or finals, often resulting in less seating options and more noise than usual.

Choosing to study outside might look like sitting under a tree, on a park bench, or out on a balcony or patio. The benefits of studying outside encompass those of just being outside, including increased natural energy, a better mood, and reduced stress. If you choose to study outside, you’ll also enjoy increased creativity and feelings of community in group settings.

However, studying outside doesn’t provide a professional environment that’s designed around productivity, so taking group projects indoors might be a better option. Studying outside also means you’re subject to changing weather and in some cases, unreliable internet access.

Dirty clothes, candy wrappers, pizza boxes, cat toys, and dirty dishes are all clutter. But why is it so important to clean it all up before you study? Simply put, the more things you have to look at, the more opportunities your mind has to be distracted. While you’re studying, you don’t want to look over at a pile of laundry and think, “That needs to be folded,” or stand up to find out where on earth that smell is coming from (hint: it’s the garbage). Meanwhile, a clean area provides fewer distractions, boosts productivity, and lessens anxiety levels. So before you start studying, pick up the trash, put away any miscellaneous objects, and rid your space of anything that could distract you. If the clutter isn’t your own, consider a different space or ask permission to move it somewhere out of sight.

While having a dedicated study space may not be possible, do the best you can. Studying in the same place every day can help your body and mind get into a study routine (though sometimes switching it up is necessary if you’re too comfortable). A dedicated study space should also have all the materials you need for that particular study session, whether they are there native ly or you bring them with you. So, if you need reliable internet access, you’ll want to reconsider picking the very middle of the university gardens as your dedicated study spot. If you live in a dynamic environment, consider picking out two or three places you could study, and choose the one that best fits your situation at the time.

The importance of having proper lighting when studying can’t be stressed enough. If you’re thinking about pulling a late-night study session six-year-old style (think flashlight under the covers), please reconsider. Dim or improper lighting can create eye strain, which may cause them to itch, burn, and tire quickly. Discomfort in your eyes will pull focus away from your studies and affect your productivity, so it’s always important to set yourself up for success. If there’s not enough natural light, take measures to open the curtains, turn on the lights, and consider a supplemental desk lamp. If you don’t have control over the lighting, consider carrying a cordless, rechargeable lamp or reading light.

While this one may seem obvious, having everything you need to study right where you are is essential. If you don’t have your study materials, you’ll find yourself breaking the flow to search for what you need. These interruptions reduce productivity and increase the possibility of distraction. To have a successful study session, be sure to gather everything you may need before you start. This can include a dictionary, calculator, textbooks, class notes, scrap paper, index cards, instructions, and — our favorite — a notebook or piece of paper to write down any stray thoughts that may pop up. Rather than allowing an off-topic thought to distract you, write it down to get it out of your head and keep studying. You can come back to that list when you’re finished. If you don’t have an in-home study space, consider digitizing as many of your resources as possible to reduce the number of items you have to carry with you.

No matter where you are, there’s a good chance there will be at least a few distractions. Distractions are anything that cause you to lose focus or move your attention away from your studies. But if you anticipate them happening, it will be a lot easier to deal with them when they show up. For example, some people struggle to study when it’s too noisy, while others struggle when it’s too quiet. Whatever your personal distractions are, it’s important to identify them and remove or minimize them to avoid interruptions. You can do this by turning your phone off or putting it on silent, closing excess computer windows, turning off video games or TVs, using noise-canceling headphones, and putting a “do not disturb” sign on your bedroom or office door. If you can’t seem to eliminate the distractions, consider choosing a different study spot, if possible.

Listening to music affects your mood, heart rate, and blood pressure. The correct music can maximize learning and enhance your memory, giving you an extra mental boost while studying. Some of the best music for studying include classical, jazz, lo-fi hip hop, and nature sounds. You’ll want to avoid music with lyrics, commercials or ads, a fast tempo, or anything loud enough to be distracting.

Ergonomic furniture is designed to lessen the strain or discomfort caused by repetitive motions or awkward positions. Believe it or not, using a standard keyboard strains your wrists and forearms. Anything that causes discomfort can detract from your studying experience, so investing in some ergonomic computer mice, keyboards, or desk chairs could be hugely beneficial.

Room temperature might not be the first thing on your mind when you think about studying, but it can impact your comfort and ability to focus. A variety of research shows that lower temperatures improve working speed and aid concentration. By lowering the temperature by just a few degrees, you can improve your focus and concentration, as well as avoid any temptation to doze off.

A space you’re emotionally comfortable in — not just physically comfortable in — can be helpful. The more emotionally comfortable, the less anxious and stressed you’ll feel, which will allow your mind to focus on studying instead of your discomfort. This can easily be achieved by picking a study space away from stressful people or situations and, if possible, personalizing it with motivational quotes, artwork, plants, candles, or anything else that eases your mind. Below are a few websites to help you get started.

If possible, try to set up your study station near a window with plenty of natural light. Natural light improves your mood, helps your body create vitamin D, aids your sleep, benefits your vision, and most importantly, increases your productivity. If you can set up your study space with as much natural light as possible, you’ll be sure to improve your learning, memory, and focus.

Working longer isn’t necessarily better, which is why breaks are so important when you’re studying. Research shows taking breaks allows your body and mind to refresh and re-energize, which will help you return to studying with full focus and productivity. The best breaks are ones that allow you to breathe deeply, move your body, laugh, eat, or talk to a friend. Taking a break outside is one of the best ways to rejuvenate your body and mind, with the bonus of exposure to natural light.

Establishing a routine provides consistency and helps you to form healthy habits. Choosing a specific time and place to study will help you reduce the number of decisions you have to make and put your studying on autopilot. Making a routine and scheduling things out makes it easier for you to avoid procrastination, setting you up for better time management.

Studying consistently and effectively can’t be done without personal accountability; simply knowing you need to study doesn’t mean you will. Help yourself be responsible by making goals, creating a schedule, and rewarding yourself for completing tasks. Reflecting often on the outcomes of your study sessions and the progress you’ve made will help you know if your strategies have been effective and allow you to make any necessary changes.

Don’t underestimate the power of timers or productivity apps. Productivity apps can be a fantastic way to stay organized, since many of them can track progress and highlight what you still need to accomplish. Meanwhile, timers can help you remember to take breaks, drink water, or move on to a different subject. These apps are best used to plan and organize your studying, as they will probably be more distracting than helpful during your actual study session.

There’s no way to know if these strategies will work for you until you actually try them out. While you may not find every tactic worthwhile, you might be surprised how putting more thought into your study space can significantly boost your productivity. Once you’ve incorporated some new techniques, occasionally reviewing your study strategies and processes will help you fine-tune the things that are working while giving you the chance to change up the things that aren’t.