How To Create Your Perfect Study Space

By: Ritz Cruz

Study areas play a huge part in the life of every college student. From reading course modules to studying for hell week, or should I say finals week, there’s a lot on students’ plates. Since I started my Architectural Technician Program at Sheridan last year, I slowly learned to curate my version of the perfect study space to ensure that I can work effectively. First, how do we define a good study space? For me, it’s any space where you can work efficiently, study, and be productive in getting things done. Your environment plays an important role, as it can either make or break your school routine. Here are some tips on how to set up your study space to support your academic success and foster a healthy mindset. 😊 

Setting Up the Environment

Making your space free from distractions is the first thing you must keep in mind. For those who can’t focus in a loud environment, you should place your desk away from entryways or hallways where there’s constant traffic. I had set my desk inside my room so I could have my personal quiet, dedicated space accessible to me at all times. The most ideal place is near a window for good lighting. Humans are naturally attracted to light as it can bring warmth and a lively atmosphere, which can improve health physically and psychologically. During the day, a well-lit learning area will help you set the mood and focus more on studying. South-facing windows will have the most sun exposure due to the way the sun rises and sets. Also, adding desk lamps can help you during your all-nighters. Installing a warm white or soft white light colour can help reduce eye strain from reading or working in front of your computer for long periods of time.  

Cozy It Up

The average amount of time I usually spend in my study area is around 5 to 8 hours per day. The next point that I want to highlight is choosing a chair that offers good ergonomic support and comfort. From my experience, maintaining a good posture while studying adds to my confidence while taking the exams. There are chairs that offer additional support like armrests, padding, adjustable height, and a backrest that adapts based on your comfort needs. Purchasing a cozy blanket and an area rug can contribute to the overall cozy vibe of the space, especially during the winter season.

Personalize Your Space

The number one enemy of concentration is a space full of clutter and unnecessary stuff. This can really distract you from focusing on your lessons or answering your quizzes. Every time I would work on drawings, I always made sure to tidy up my space first. Another tip is to invest in desk organizers, which is the best way to keep your everyday supplies within reach. It can even be just a simple mason jar or upcycled tin cans to hold your pens and highlighters. Filing cabinets are also a must if you’re someone who still reads through papers and likes to highlight the words while reviewing (like me!). It is also good for keeping your previous worksheets and exams to refer back to for the ongoing semester. A rolling cart can also be a nice option if you need an additional flexible surface area to work on that comes with extra storage for your supplies. Having a table calendar, a cute alarm clock, and a corkboard where you can post notes can also help with successful time management of your deadlines in school.  

Improving the Overall Aesthetic

Another way to jazz up your study space is by adding plants. It adds more life and brightens the space instantly with its vibrant green colour. Some plants like spider plants, philodendrons, peace lily, and snake plant can also help purify and improve indoor air quality. One of my favourite things in my study area is my Aroma Diffuser. Using essential oils like peppermint and lavender can help aid concentration and promote relaxation from a stressful day. Putting art prints of your favourite artist, motivational posters, and framed pictures of you with your loved ones (or chunky pet) will go a long way in giving you positive reinforcement while studying.  

Study On Campus

On the other hand, if you are already on campus and looking for a comfortable place to study, there are some spots that I recommend. First on the list is the Library Learning Commons which offers cozy study spaces, various resource collections and a lot of services like tutoring, which is available in all campuses. My favourite thing is the collaborative study room which has large screen monitors, laptop plug-ins, and ergonomic furniture that can be booked by Sheridan students. When the exam load gets heavy and you need to study complex concepts, you might want a more silent environment to focus and work. The Quiet Room would be the perfect place to be productive. My home campus is HMC and the quiet room at C-wing is always my go-to spot to read and do schoolwork. They have a nice fireplace that sets the overall mood of the room, making it warm and welcoming. If you’re the type of person who is comfortable working with background noise, a good number of tables and chairs are spread within each campus it just depends on your personal preference. There are both indoors and outdoors set up too. Don’t be afraid to switch things up until you find the best study spot that works for you!

Lastly, as much as we want to be creative in expressing ourselves through our versions of study space, prioritizing functionality will always be a timeless choice. Whether you are living in residence, your own apartment, or a shared dormitory, aesthetics will always come second after your comfort. My final piece of advice as a student is that regardless of your surroundings, having an intrinsic motivation to finish whatever task is in front of you is important. I have always believed in the saying that in everything we do, we should begin with an end in mind. Wishing you all the best on your studies! Always keep in mind that you have made it this far and only have a little way left to go. 😊 

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