CultusWhen students head off to college, it is often their first attempt at creating a living and working space that suits them. This causes a large number of mistakes and miscalculations to appear in their choices. Unfortunately, these mistakes can have a negative impact on scholastic performance. Here are five common mistakes to be aware of when laying out a study area.
1. Computer
While many students rely on their computer as a means to accomplish their work, there are dozens of distractions that a computer can provide. With persistent social media contact and use, it is almost impossible to sustain a prolonged study session while on the computer. When circumstances allow, turn the computer off.
2. Smartphone
Much like the computer, a smartphone combines the distraction consequences of a computer with the persistence of a phone. Notifications about status updates, texts and any number of alerts cause smartphones to be a one-stop distraction source. Just as with the computer, silence the smartphones when trying to study.
3. Television
May students prefer to study with background noise. A television is often a prime source of it. However, televisions have the added function of showing interesting programming that can pull a student away from their studies. Furthermore, there is often a significant volume difference between regular shows and commercials. All of these combine to create a major source of distraction.
4. Roommates/Floor mates
In a community living arrangement, there is no way to avoid the distractions caused by roommates and floor mates. It is important, then, to find an alternative location to study. Better still, sometimes it is possible to find off-campus housing. According to Off Campus Housing in Berkeley, housing such as the UC Berkeley Apartments, combine affordability with a calm, quiet study environment.
5. Bed
Not often considered a distraction, many study sessions have ended prematurely with a trip to bed. When studying in an alternate setting, it is impossible to make that choice. In a personal room, however, the temptation is always there. Studying can make a student sleepy, so it is important to find ways to manage that temptation.
While most of these items cannot be removed from a personal space, it is important to be aware of how they might impact the effectiveness of a study session. When a student is aware of these distractions, they can take steps to combat them. Or, at the very least, they can know when to leave their room altogether!
