Whether you have a full room designated as your home office or are using a small kitchen table for a desk, you’ll want your workspace to be conducive to a calm and efficient workflow. There is no single thing that will work for everyone, but the following tips can help you optimize your space for maximum productivity.
Location
- Find a place that is quiet and free from distraction, but provides enough room for you to take notes, either on your computer or by hand.
- Having an electric outlet nearby is useful for keeping your device charged.
- If you have limited space or cannot create a dedicated study space, store your school materials in a rolling cart, backpack or something else easily transportable.
- If you share your workspace with others, create boundaries and establish expectations about using the space.
Temperature
- Indoor temperature can significantly impact productivity, with the “comfort zone” being between 20°C and 26°C. [1]
- If your workspace is too warm it could make you feel tired, and if too cold could cause your attention to drift. [1]
Lighting
- Set up your workstation close to a window, if you can, to maximize the natural light.
- Use ambient light from desk or floor lamps, but avoid harsh fluorescent lighting and spotlights if you can.
Noise
- Some people work better with soft background noise and some prefer complete silence. Try both and see what works better for you. A good set of headphones will help create the environment you prefer.
Organization
- Your course materials should be easily accessible whenever you need them.
- As an online student, you can enjoy the flexibility of working digitally. Store your computer files in folders and use descriptive names for easy identification.
- If you prefer working with hard copies, you should invest in a physical filing system.
- Time management is key to online learning, so keep calendars, to-do lists or other personal organizational tools close at hand as a reminder of what your daily tasks are.