By Student Caring Guest Blogger, Matilda Davies

 

Most of us squeeze in study time by hunkering down in the library or a coffee shop, the dorm dorm room hardly optimal for studying. It’s often loud and full of distractions, but when set up properly, can be the perfect haven for getting work done.

 

Here are seven steps to making your dorm room a study haven.

 

1. Get Rid of Distractions

Start by removing as many distractions as possible. While you can’t completely drain your room of belongings, you can remove distractions from your study area. Extraneous items like extra books, your phone, tablet, computer, etc., should be put away.

 

Give them to a roommate or a friend with directions to keep them away for the duration of your study period.

 

If you need your computer to study, there are plenty of tools you can use to keep yourself from wasting time on Facebook, email, or on other distracting sites. Here’s a list of website blockersfor studying.

 

2. Do Your Eyes a Favor

The best light for reading is one that is soft but doesn’t cause you to strain your eyes too much. Use bright lamps rather than harsh fluorescent or overhead light in order to create a comfortable level for reading.

 

3. Stock Your Study Area

Make sure you have everything you need for the perfect study setup nearby. Here are a few recommendations:

 

• Water and snacks
• Chewing gum (helps some people study)
• Silent timer
• Class notes
• Pens/pencils and highlighters
• Scrap paper for notes
• Sticky notes or tabs for marking pages
• Notecards

 

4. Set a Timer

Time blocking is a great tool for productivity. Create a schedule that blocks off time for each task you need to accomplish. During these blocks of time, work on nothing else.

 

Take small breaksbetween time blocks. Five to ten minutes for every one to two hours of work to get up and move around, refill your coffee, change gears, clear your head, etc., is a good rule of thumb.

 

5. Tell Your Roommate

If you have a roommate, let them know ahead of time that you’ll need the time and space to get some studying done. If they choose not to join your study session, ask them to keep you accountable—they shouldn’t see you outside the room during your study blocks.

 

6. Get a Sound Machine

Sound machines are a great tool for productivity. Not only do they block out distracting noise, they can also help you sink deep into a study groove. If you don’t want to fork out the cash for a sound machine, try a white noise appto help you sink deep into that study groove.

 

7. Soundproof Your Room

If noise is still a problem, there are a few steps you can take to soundproof your room. Shut windows and doors, hang sound-absorbing curtains, or use an under-the-door draft blocker.

 

 

 

 

Author bio:

Matildalives in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she writes about health and wellness.

In her free time, she enjoys yoga, hiking, and walking her dogs.