Study Space Secrets: How I Built My Study-at-Home Setup

Designing my study space helped me make the most of my homework time. Here's how I did it!

Written by Western University Medical Sciences graduate and MSc in Clinical Anatomy candidate, Emily Dietrich.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we learn in multiple ways. For me, one of the biggest transitions was learning to work from home in my tiny student bedroom. Over time, I was able to develop some habits and found some tools that helped me get the most out of my workspace.

I found that having an organized, designated 'workspace' helped me to get into the academic mindset when having to study from home. This can look different for everyone, but here are some of the ways I made my environment an inviting place to work:

Light

I had my desk situated under my window and having the natural light coming in really kept me motivated. If you find your space is lacking a bit of brightness, I would recommend using a HappyLight throughout your day: these light therapy lamps help to enhance energy, mood, and focus, and they really come in handy during the darker months of the winter!

Distractions

My workspace was right next to my bed, so the temptation to take a nap was definitely there! When I really needed to focus, I would lay my books or notes out on my bed, which deterred me from taking a 'power nap' that would ultimately turn into a four-hour slumber. I would also leave my phone on the other side of the room and put it on Do Not Disturb mode to minimize interruptions.

Ambiance

I'll be the first to admit that I need my workspace to be 'aesthetically pleasing' in order to sit there for hours at a time. Having a relaxing, scented candle burning and some beta waves playing on Spotify were my go-tos.

Ergonomics

I found a few tricks to help me physically while I spend most of my days sedentary. Firstly, I invested in a laptop stand so that my computer was closer to eye level, putting less strain on my neck. I also use blue light glasses when staring at a screen for extended periods of time.

Stretch

Getting up and moving around every so often is critical when working at home. Every hour or so I try to walk around and maybe grab a snack or a glass of water, which really helps me to centre my focus when I go back to working.

These tips are by no means exhaustive — there are definitely some creative ideas out there to make the most of your space! Everyone's environment will be different, so adapt to what fits your space best.