Business School students Nicole Liew (Finance and Business BSc) and Basak Buyukkosker (Finance and Management MSc) share their top tips for improving the effectiveness of your studies through your study space.

Keep away from your mobile phone

Mobile phones are, most of the time, reliable for information searching and keeping up to date during leisure time. However, when it comes to studying, they tend to become our foes, enticing us with notifications and a plethora of social media apps and games. You may find it stressful to completely turn off your mobile phone. Instead, you could try turning off all app notifications during your study time to increase your efficiency and concentration.

Personalise your own study space

Finding your own dedicated study space is one of the main factors that helps to create a productive environment — which has an essential impact on the effectiveness of your studies. First and foremost, a study space should align with your needs and preferences. For instance, some people need to have silence when studying, but share their accommodation with other people. It’s a good idea to talk about your study hours with your household. On the other hand, you may be someone who can easily study with music. Is there a particular style of music that helps you concentrate?

Don’t forget to get your books, notes, and other study materials ready beforehand – a great way to keep focussed once you start your study session.

Another good way to personalise your study space is to add decorations, such as pictures of family and friends, or inspirational quotes. In addition to this, adding peaceful colours like blue, green and purple to your decoration might also boost the effectiveness of your studies (though remember to check with your Landlord first if you intend to paint!).

Find study buddies or a study group

People with common goals will be able to keep each other in check, and provide motivation while studying together. Research shows that learning by teaching someone can improve student efficacy, confidence and communication skills. It can therefore be beneficial for a group of like-minded students to study together, in order to teach and learn from one another.

Plan a study schedule

Be sure to write out a detailed plan for each week. Set SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely) goals for yourself. Put a physical clock on your table to remind you to be on the ball for your next task. If you struggle to schedule your study time, try out the Pomodoro Technique.

Ensure lighting is on point

Blue light is known to damage our retinas and can lead to permanent vision loss after long periods of use. Therefore, it is necessary to use natural light when you are studying. At night, when the sun goes down, you can use warmer lighting to create a sense of comfort and relaxation.