What is the ideal study environment while at home?

We've all been there: you've got a big test tomorrow, you've geared yourself up for an evening of studying, you sit down in bed to start looking over your notes... and all you can think about is who may have texted you, or the sounds of talking from the next room over, or how you would much rather just lay down and take a nap.

Finding the best spot for studying has never been harder for students. With all of us stuck at home in quarantine for months on end, it's all too easy to wake up each morning, and end up spending 90% of our day in bed... including study time.

But this is absolutely not the way to go. We've all heard the studies about how working in bed impacts your productivity and your quality of sleep. But finding an alternative is easier said than done, especially if you have limited space to utilize. So here are some key tips for creating your ideal study environment, no matter what space you've got to work with:

Set a timer!

While working and studying from home, it's important to set boundaries for yourself. Work and free time blend together when we are doing them in the same space. So do what you can to concretely carve out a set time to study.

Rather than leaving it up to your internal clock, set a timer! This will give you a clear-cut beginning and end point. And be sure to respect those boundaries you've made for yourself! When the timer starts, it's work time. When it rings, give yourself a well-earned break.

Put your phone across the room!

When setting a timer, don't use your phone. How many times a day do we pick up our phones without even realizing it, even just to check the time? Remove this likely distraction from your study environment by putting it on "do not disturb" and setting it out of arms reach. As a substitute, use a kitchen timer, or similar timekeeping device with just that one purpose: keeping time.

Some students benefit from having a tutor or study coach meet with the student a few times a week to help the student balance their schedule and assignment load.

Be consistent with your location!

If you are a high school student find one spot that you like, and stick with it! Giving yourself a predictable routine will be so helpful. Make sure you're sitting in a chair, and wearing comfortable clothes that aren't pajamas. You want it to be a well-lit space you can be comfortable in, without falling asleep. Keep to communal areas, like the kitchen, living room, backyard, or other well-trafficked areas. You don't want to be surrounded by too much noise, but you also want other people to be around to hold you accountable. This will also keep you from being too lonely when studying for long stretches of time.

However you choose to implement these ideas, your study space will be your own. But these tips should go a long way to set you up for studying success!