Redesign your space and get an A

MANILA, Philippines - Have you been stressing on schoolwork lately? Have you had difficulty concentrating on your homework? Maybe it’s time to develop a new study plan and consider redesigning your study space. Studies show that an effective study area layout can bring about improvements in terms of learning and concentration.

Here are some simple tips:

1. Assess your study space. How big is your study area? What needs to be improved? What furniture are you going to replace or retain? Consider a study set-up near a natural light source. Studies show that natural lighting can help improve concentration and productivity. Also, maximizing natural lighting can also save on energy. Not only are you improving your study space, but you are also helping save the environment. Choose wisely what furniture you are going to replace. Consider repainting, re-upholstering or re-sanding desks and chairs instead of buying new ones. This lessens the cost of redesigning your study area plus you can customize your furniture with any color or any material that you want. Just make sure that the material you are going to use is durable and fit for long time use.

2. De-clutter and reorganize. Assess school stuff (papers, books, etc.) that needs to be thrown away or kept. Get rid of papers that you don’t need anymore. Keep old books and notebooks in a box and store them in a cool dry place or donate them to someone else. Keep those that you always use in accessible storage spaces. Labelling your things and organizing them into a file will help you find things easily.

3. Make a list of things you will need for this project. Choose the right furniture. A good desk should have an adequate space to work on while a good study chair should be comfortable and not strain the back. It should also have sufficient knee room.Consider installing shelves above your desk table. This will force you to stand up and occasionally stretch your back. Consider buying or making containers for your small items so that they don’t clutter up your desk.

4. Start designing your space. Choose a different color for paint or wallpapers. You can opt for a bright and energetic color like yellow to perk up the space. Add colorful and interesting accessories.

5. Don’t forget proper lighting. A good desk lamp is flexible and easily adjusts to any angle and direction to provide proper illumination. This can help lessen the stress and strain in your eyes when reading and working with a laptop or computer.

6. Tidy up those cords. Take care of studying equipment like laptops, desktops, and chargers by storing them in their proper places. Keep chargers in the right places and tidy their cords. Bind the cords using a twist tie so that it doesn’t clutter up the space below your desk.

7. Insert your personal style into your design. Make it your space, so that you’d more likely love to study in your area. Add a small plant or flower by your desk for a fresh element. If you’re a guy, maybe you can place one of those vintage toy cars you’ve been collecting. Hang photos you and your friends took last summer by the wall or hang your favorite artwork.

8. Find time to clean up and reorganize after studying. Maintain the beautiful space you’ve created by de-cluttering and organizing books, notes, pens after studying. Make sure that they are in their proper places before you leave or go to bed. Getting used to having an organized space may take time but make it a habit and you are on your way to an efficient study routine.

9. Work hard! Study hard. An effective study area is not enough for you to get those A’s. Plan ahead, don’t cram, develop a study schedule. De-cluttering and organizing your space is only the beginning. Try discovering new styles of learning that would help you concentrate and learn. Avoid distractions! (this may be the hard part) but try not to peek at your celphones and social networking page while reviewing for the midterms. Read and prepare ahead. Work hard and study in style to get those A’s!

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The author is part of “Gabay: Dibuhong Umaakay,” the graduation exhibit of PSID’s Advanced Class of 2012, which starts on Sept. 29 at the former Super Sale Club, SM City North EDSA, North Ave. cor. EDSA, Quezon City.In cooperation with SM City North EDSA Interior Zone, “Gabay” showcases 24 different spaces designed specifically to cater to the needs of the visually-impaired, hearing-impaired, elderly, and handicapped.