Summer is gone, the school year is beginning, and before you know it you’ll be facing mid-terms. There’s one way to take the sting out of studying - prepare a place that’s exclusively meant for you to study in. This isn’t an excuse to go shopping, it’s an exercise in preparation. Let’s get started:

1. Where to go? Your study space needs to be somewhere that’s away from the beaten path. You don’t want to overhear other people’s conversations or the sound of a television. Make sure that you’re not facing a window; instead, put your work surface against a wall. You’ll want plenty of work space for a computer, keyboard and textbooks.

2. Seating options. Although there’s no doubt that comfort is key to a long night of studying, doing so on a sofa isn’t the best choice. It’s far too easy to lie down and fall asleep while reading. Instead, find an adjustable chair with good back support.

3. Lighting. Natural sunlight is the best way to go in that it serves as a stimulant and keeps you alert. If that’s not always readily available, or if you’re studying at night, table lamps work fine. Try to avoid fluorescent lighting because they are constantly flickering and the eyes have to work to adjust to it. Avoiding eye strain is a key component to keeping yourself ready for a long study session.

4. Soundtrack. Some people require total silence, while others tend to do better when there’s a low level of music in the background to block out other sounds. If you are one of these people, your study area should include some way to play music. It needs to be kept at a low volume, or be instrumental to avoid paying attention to the lyrics rather than the task at hand.

5. What else? Try to anticipate all of the office supplies that you’ll need and keep them handy so you don’t have to break the mood and go in search of a stapler. You’ll need a calendar to keep track of deadlines and a bulletin board for loose pieces of paper. Also, you’ll want to keep your energy level up, so keep some snacks on hand. Remember, sugary foods leave you feeling tired in the end, so fruit, crackers or vegetables are a better choice.

It’s best to use your area exclusively for studying and not let it turn into a place to relax or recreate. Once you consider all of these things, you should be much easier to focus on reading and projects.

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