Once you’ve prepared your mind for study you now need to prepare your home so that you get the most out of your precious time. The number one problem students encounter when trying to study is disruption. This can be interruptions by family members who don’t realise you are studying, external noise from cars and people or simply being uncomfortable. So, to prevent these kinds of disruptions there are some basic bits of kit and conditions you’ll need to make your study successful. Again, we realise that you may not be able to apply all the advice we give you, but the more you can do the more productive your time will be.
Peace and Quiet
You should try to study in a quiet room. If you can, set this room aside to use just for study so that psychologically when you go in there you are mentally prepared for work. Peace and quiet will significantly help with your concentration levels, but does not mean that you cannot use music to help you concentrate if you wish to. In fact some kinds of music, such as Baroque, are believed to help your concentration levels.
Table and Chairs
Now that you have your room you need to make sure you are sitting comfortably. A chair that supports your back is ideal, but any chair that allows you to sit comfortably is good. You should try to get a desk to go with that chair. This will allow you to lay your books out properly. Sitting at a desk will also help you prepare yourself mentally for work.
Temperature
You should try to ensure the room is neither too warm, nor too cold. As you can imagine, shivering with cold or sweating with the heat are not helpful when you want to concentrate and both will stop you working effectively
Light
Natural light is definitely best, so try to sit by a window if you can. If you have no access to natural light try get a good bright light so that you do not strain your eyes trying to see.
If you follow this advice you should find the amount you learn in each study session increases. And, with next weeks advice – planning your study time effectively – added into the equation you’ll have your course completed and passed in no time.
