| To study you need only your study materials and a | | | | of hours. It could be that a dining room chair with a |
| place to use them -- and theoretically that could be | | | | cushion is actually gentler on your bones! |
| anywhere. But the practicality of this is that people | | | | Apart from comfort you need to think about the height |
| who have a good dedicated area for their studies | | | | of the seat against the height of the desk/table. If the |
| have a greater chance of being able to complete their | | | | chair is higher, you may need to consider having it |
| study sessions quicker because they can create an | | | | lowered. If the desk is higher, then this may need |
| environment that works for them and allows them to | | | | lowered. Taking the time to sort this at the beginning of |
| focus. | | | | your studies will mean you won't be likely to have |
| Some people are able to switch off to what's going on | | | | needless hours sitting in an uncomfortable position. |
| around them, but most people need to have as few | | | | The last thing that you absolutely must have is |
| distractions as possible. There are people who work | | | | adequate lighting. This could be natural light or electric, |
| well with music, some who study better with silence, | | | | the source isn't as important as making sure that you |
| and then others who can concentrate on their | | | | can study without straining your eyes. Learn what kind |
| bookwork as they follow their favorite soap opera on | | | | of light works best for you. It could be that you work |
| TV! Each person needs to discover the kind of study | | | | best with an up light rather than one that floods your |
| environment that works for them and then set up a | | | | area with direct light. You may work best with a tube |
| real study area within that environment. | | | | light or enjoy the cozy feeling created with a table |
| Your study space should consist of a desk or table so | | | | spot light. If you find you are getting headaches after |
| that you can set out the things you need for your | | | | studying, one thing you can try is to change the kind of |
| studies. If you have things such as a laptop, or desktop | | | | lighting you're using to see if that helps. |
| computer, ideally this should be able to be left in your | | | | Creating a permanent study space that's always |
| study area when you're not studying. Your desk needs | | | | available for you whenever you feel the urge to get |
| to big enough to have any computer equipment you | | | | out your study materials is one of the easiest ways of |
| need, plus your books and a place to write. If there are | | | | putting your focus into study mode. Make sure that if |
| no drawers on your desk or table, find an appropriate | | | | your designated area is in a general area in the house, |
| sized box and keep this under the work surface with | | | | it's kept a "no go" zone to the rest of the household |
| your spare stationary materials such as additional pens | | | | otherwise you'll find yourself having to remove all the |
| and paper. | | | | non-study related items before you can study, and |
| As you get older, studying involves longer periods | | | | that's counterproductive to what you're trying to |
| sitting at your desk with your books and so you really | | | | achieve. Make your study nest that fits your study |
| need to find a comfortable chair. A computer chair | | | | habits and you'll find your concentration and even |
| may seem the more appropriate, but sit on it and see | | | | motivation to study increase. |
| if you think it will still seem comfortable after a couple | | | | |