We create spaces in our homes for designated activities. It’s one of the ways we organize our lives – following a stream of consecutive movements from one room to the next until we go to sleep.
While at school, I often tried to maintain the intention of each space. I did my eating in the kitchen, my tv-watching in the living room, and my sleeping in the bedroom. I mean that’s why we have rooms right?
Upon returning home due to the COVID – 19 pandemic, that rhythm was disrupted. My family and I were living on top of each other trying to make things work. It felt as if each room had been comprised for the sake of functionality.
I knew I wouldn’t be a successful as an online student if I didn’t fashion my own study area to keep my sanity. Mentally, I needed a space that embraced my desired learning atmosphere and didn’t interrupt the flow of my home.
So, if you’re like me – someone who needs a corner to perform all the studious tasks – here are some helpful tips for setting up an at-home Student Success Center.
Joanna Gaines inspired of course.
Finding a Space to Study
The first step, obviously, is to find an area of your home that supports your preferred academic environment.
Lighting, noise, and overall impression of the place are important factors to consider when deciding where you want to set up. It’s just as important as the design aspect.
Are you someone who enjoys natural sunlight? Look for a spot illuminated by the sun. According to edutopia.org, exposure to natural light boosts your mood and cognitive performance. Windows also perform as great escapes for your eyes when you’ve been staring at the computer screen too long.
If you favor less light, but still need the yellow rays to keep you company, try a corner that doesn’t directly interact with the sun. You can still see the outside, but it’s not as distracting.
The appropriate noise level is also something to consider. So, ask yourself this – were you a Holy Grounds person or a Library person? Or maybe an in-between-noise-level-person like Student Success Center? If you’re able to associate yourself with any of these atmospheres you already know the kind of commotion you can handle.
Lastly, what’s the overall aura the space emits? It might sound a little hippy, but you should feel like you can study there every day. It needs to embrace all these important factors.
Colors
The next step is the fun part – decoration!
The easiest way for me to compile items for any space is to establish a color scheme. Pick out colors that help you feel relaxed and focused – like green and blue. Or warmer shades like red, orange, and yellow which generate an alert-atmosphere.
I tend to operate within the primary colors, allowing green accents. And by “green accents” – I mean plants.
The brightness of the red and yellow lift the overall attitude, making the study area more cheerful. Blue, in contrast, mellows out the sunnier colors to create a balanced mood. The green plants exhale more relaxed energy into the room – providing fresh oxygen and life to the space.
Items
Once these things have been determined, start searching for items that compliment your general style.
I complied with the decorations used in my old Kremmeter Hall bedroom and narrowed it down to these complementary items.
If you haven’t retrieved your belongings from your dorm, comb through your mom’s hibernating household knickknacks and wall art. Most moms (my mom) hoard decorations. Rummaging through the storage closet closely equates itself to shopping at Pier1 – expect messier – but also COVID-19 free. You give and you take.
Or embellish your study nook with your own creative work. Do you have two pieces that you love with no way to connect them? Find a canvas or another artistic medium to create a cohesion between the two items.
Takeaway
Find your own place to stimulate a productive environment for you while using these tips. Remember, always make this space your own, this will allow for more prolific study time and more cups of coffee consumed.
