Does Your Study Space Work For You? Really?
Summer is the perfect time to take a fresh look at your home study area. Take advantage of the downtime and inject a little organizational mojo.

An inviting, comfortable and energizing study area will help you to stay focused, be more creative and get better school results. So, get set for the new academic year, with a back-to-school study space makeover.

10 Smart Tips for Study Areas
 
1. Make It All About You
Take into account your uniqueness and personal preferences to design a productive area that works the way you do. Look at your habit patterns, your strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes – what have your failed attempts at being organized taught you? 

2. Set The Tone With Color
Color impacts the senses causing changes in respiration, heartbeat and blood pressure.  It can improve concentration and extend your attention span, increase productivity and makes locating information 70% faster. Does your current color scheme soothe or strengthen you? Change it up with colorful accessories and new lighting.
 
3. Divide and Conquer
To clear the clutter, start simply. Begin by sorting items into categories such as paper and printing supplies, writing instruments, magazines, books, file folders, containers, technology, hobby or sports equipment, etc. Don’t try to do your whole room at once, zone in on one area at a time to avoid mid-makeover burn-out.

4. Contain to Maintain 
The creative part of organizing is finding a proper "home" for your stuff.  If you’re a visual person, you might also be a piler, who hates to put things out of sight. Try color-coding see-through containers to keep papers grouped together. Grab & Go baskets or tubs with lids make excellent easy-access, portable storage of sports gear and hobby supplies.

5. Label Crazy
To limit mix-up and wasted searching-time, label your sorted containers. A label-maker helps to create a neat, legible and consistent look. For those who like to think in pictures, try labeling with a drawing, symbol or photo instead - chances are you will recall where it is and associate what’s inside much easier. 

6. Location, Location, Location...
Organizing is not so much about discipline as it is about design.  Position often-used items in visible and convenient locations. What are the last minute things that you always search for when leaving the house? Stage bags and backpacks right by the door as a reminder.

7. Fidget To Focus 
Many of us have a physiological need to move in order to keep focused on work. Research has shown that standing, walking and moving back & forth engages both hemispheres of the brain and accelerates learning and problem solving. If you have a hard time sitting still, try using an exercise ball or an office chair on rollers.  Also check out cool new stand-up desks with swinging footrest, designed to help with study focus.
 
8. Its About Time  
Be sure to include a prominent clock or timer in your space. This will help you manage your study time and chart progress. Try to make a realistic schedule for your work, factoring in possible hold-ups or interruptions. Try this formula: (Estimated Minutes For Task Completion x 2) + 10 minutes = Time To Allow

9. Music…or not?  
Music can make you more relaxed, attentive and less distracted. It has been found to aid, even accelerate learning because it engages the less used side of the brain and helps prevent your mind from wondering. But, be honest - music can also be a major distraction. One solution is to make up a playlist of music to run in the background - that way at least the radio DJ or ads don't interrupt  concentration every few minutes.

10. In Your Face
Make space for a bulletin board within the scheme to serve as a canvas for creativity, a place for photos and personalization...but also a posting-spot for reminders, deadlines and personal goals to help you keep focused and on schedule. 

Created by Sara Kuhl M.Ed, Founder of Brain Camp - the insightful, practical and effective How-To-Learn program that helps teens study smarter and become more resourceful students.
 
Brain Camp summer sessions run weekly in August in the Seattle area. For more details visit www.braincamps.com or call 206 533 2080.