Having the right learning space at home is just as important as having good study skills; it’s been proven that your study space can have a huge impact on your productivity and academic achievement. Ranging from effects on wellbeing, to your ability to concentrate and retain information, proper organisation of your room is vital to create a happy learning environment.
According to the ancient Chinese concept of Feng Shui, the way you arrange your objects and possessions can affect your success, health and happiness. The physical arrangement of furniture and the layout of a room can have a significant impact on your ability to study effectively.
So, how can you Feng Shui your study space to create an effective learning space at home? Here are our top 10 easy and accessible tips to help you transform your workspace.
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Allow as much natural light to hit your desk as possible
It’s been scientifically proven that access to light can affect student cognitive performance. Melina Uncapher, a leading American neurologist, has proven that “exposing teens to natural light can increase their alertness and improve academic outcomes.”
Light makes us feel more awake, so it’s not surprising that it becomes more difficult to stay focused on your studies if you’re working in a dingy, poorly-lit room. Try to make sure your curtains are fully open with your desk placed close to a window. Alternatively, if you don’t have access to natural light, make sure that you have a good-quality desk lamp placed on the opposite side to your writing hand.
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De-clutter your space: tidy desk = tidy mind
Working in a cramped environment with pieces of crumpled paper, empty crisp packets and half-finished drinks cluttering your desk is not conducive to an effective study environment. Clutter creates a claustrophobic and overwhelming atmosphere. So, in order to feel relaxed and ready to learn, it’s important to keep your study space tidy, clean and clear.
It’s good practice to get into the habit of spending just five minutes tidying up your study space before each revision session, as this will help you to make sure that you keep it clean. Having a quick tidy-up is a good way to take a short study break and set you up to feel prepared and motivated for the study session ahead.
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Place your desk in the command position
The ‘command position’ is a Feng Shui concept that describes the best position for a particular item to be placed according to several factors: protection, openness and energy. For example, we can work out the command position for a desk using these factors.
To feel protected, it’s best to have a wall behind you so you feel supported; it needs to be a solid wall and not a window. You need to be able to see the windows and the door, so you won’t be surprised by someone looking in the room or entering the room behind your back. This will also give a feeling of openness, as you’ll be sat facing the space in front of you.
Most of the energy enters a room through the doorway, so it’s best not to be sat in line with the doorway, as this is a busy space that can lead to you becoming easily distracted from your work. Being able to see natural light also adds to the positive energy reaching you in your study space. See a fantastic visual explanation of the best place for a desk in Feng Shui here.
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Personalise your own motivational study space
Having an effective study space that motivates you can have a big impact on your productivity and overall sense of wellbeing. It’s fundamental to create a study space that best suits your needs, learning style and personality.
A great idea is to decorate your learning space at home with items that motivate you. Whether you choose inspiring quotes or pictures, photos of family and friends, or your very own vision board with your goals, make sure that your work space will encourage you to continue learning. Having an inspiring and welcoming study space will ensure that you feel at ease and relaxed, as well as even look forward to studying!
- Hide any cables and wires
Another important Feng Shui concept is organising and hiding your electrical cables to eliminate confusion and messiness. Electrical items are best kept outside the bedroom according to Feng Shui, although, if you do need to have any electricals in your bedroom, you can still create an effective study space by keeping any wires out of the way and hidden.
You might like to invest in a cable organiser to keep your desk clear of those pesky wires, or you can simply use some adhesive tack to stick the tops of the cables to the back of your desk so they’re easy to access, but not in the way. Make sure any cables run down the back of your desk (not over it or across it) to keep your space clear.
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Use organisational tools to stay on track
Using stationery such as flashcards, colour-coordinated folders, highlighters and post-it notes can help you feel organised and prepared for the day’s studying session. Charts, including wall calendars and/or desk planners, can also help you to keep on track with your studying.
Colour coding and filing your notes will make sure that all your work is easily accessible, so you don’t have to spend time unnecessarily looking for it. Once you organise your study space, you can be completely focused on your work.
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Make sure your study space is comfortable
It’s important that you feel comfortable and secure in your study space… not too comfortable though, because you don’t want to drift off to sleep! Opening a window whilst you study is an effective way to make sure that you feel energised and refreshed; the fresh air will help you concentrate.
To create a study space that feels supportive and comfortable, you can try adding a cushion to your desk chair to support your posture, and keep a blanket nearby if you tend to get cold easily. You might also like to move positions every now and again, so your body doesn’t start to ache. For example, if you usually sit with your back straight and legs on the floor, you could try sitting crossed-legged for a while.
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Incorporate nature into your study space
Whether it’s a plant, some flowers, a wooden desk, or another natural item, bringing some nature into your study space can not only make your learning environment look more beautiful, but also boost your mood and productivity, too.
Scientific studies have shown that bringing a leafy plant into a learning space has positive impacts on student wellbeing and mentality. Often, it’s found that students feel more grounded and relaxed if they have a plant on their desk.
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Select your favourite study music
Listening to music may help you study by improving your focus and concentration. For example, chill beats and instrumental music can be excellent music to help you focus, such as this brilliant and free lofi hip hop radio station on YouTube.
In Feng Shui, particular music is believed to help create harmony and balance in one’s surroundings and promote the flow of energy through the space. Music with natural sounds, such as birds chirping and water flowing, can be particularly helpful to create a balanced, relaxed and focused environment.
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Remove all distractions
Make sure that your attention isn’t being diverted by removing all distractions from your learning space, including your phone, tv and any access to social media.
Saving the chatting and browsing for your downtime once you’ve finished your work will help you work more effectively and be more productive, as well as giving you something to work towards – you can look forward to enjoying your free time after studying.
If you tend to get distracted easily, you can try placing certain items out of sight completely. For example, leaving your phone in a cupboard can help you to forget about checking your notifications and, instead, focus on the task at hand.
Ready to Feng Shui your own study space?
We hope you found our top tips to create your own effective study space using Feng Shui helpful. Find out more about boosting your learning and developing your ideal study routine by checking out the fantastic courses and training offered by My Performance Learning. Happy studying!
