Managing Physical Environment
Physical environment means your surroundings, the actual places in which you study. The ideal place for
studying is one that’s quiet and private. It has good lighting and ventilation and is neither too hot, nor too
cold. It has a desk or table big enough to let you spread out your study materials. It has a chair and all of
the supplies you may need for studying. Are your favorite study places like that? If not, here are four
steps you can follow to improve your physical environment for better studying
Find a regular place to study: When you study at a regular time and in a regular place, you make
studying a habit. As a result, studying will become easier for you and you’ll get better at it. Studying at
home can be a “mixed blessing” because it is convenient, but can be difficult to concentrate. Try to find a
room of your own or a place in the house where you can set boundaries that family members will respect
when it comes time for studying. Use the “Study Locations” worksheet to help you pick the best place for
studying in your home.
Get rid of distractions: There are three main types of distractions that can sidetrack your studying —
sounds, sights, and interruptions. To make the most of your studying, you’ll need to get rid of all three.
Sounds: When you study at home, the most distracting sounds are likely to come from television,
radio, and other people in the house. To reduce distracting sounds, some families establish “quiet
hours” every night. During these hours, the student or students in the family do homework. The
other members of the family go about their normal activities, but more quietly than usual. Some
families create a rule that there are to be no phone calls during quiet hours.
Many students feel that listening to music while studying serves as a useful background noise to
filter out more distracting sounds. For some students, music may really help; however, many
students who think that they’re effectively studying while music is playing are probably fooling
themselves. If you feel that you need music to study by, make sure it is instrumental music, not
music with lyrics. Song lyrics can turn your attention away from your studying. Try some
classical music or light jazz, and keep the volume low.
Sights: Television is both a sound and sight distraction. Because it appeals to your ears and eyes,
television is one of the most powerful distractions. There’s a simple rule about watching
television while you’re studying: Don’t.
Try not to face a window or doorway while you are studying. If you do, then sooner or later
you’ll get distracted by things going on outside the window or beyond the doorway. The best way
to avoid this is to face a wall when you’re studying. Make sure there’s nothing on the wall or on
your desk that might be interesting enough to make your mind wander.
Interruptions: If you have a room of your own, the best way to avoid interruptions while
studying is to close the door and let members of the household know that the closed door means
you don’t want to be disturbed. If you do not have a room of your own, try talking with the
members of the house to see if they can be extra thoughtful of you when you are studying. No
matter where you study, quiet hours can help cut down on interruptions. You shouldn’t make or
receive calls or text messages during those designated hours. To make it easier, ask your friends
not to contact you during those hours or turn your cell phone off. Remember, your success is
solely dependent on you; making changes to enhance your studying efficiency and effectiveness
will benefit you in the long run!
Arrange your study area: You’ve already seen that your regular place for study should include a desk or
table and a chair. Successful students find that a straight-backed chair is best for studying because it helps
them to sit up and concentrate on their homework. Don’t try to study in bed or in a soft, comfortable
chair. You’ll get too relaxed, and before long, you’ll be asleep.
You can use almost any desk or table with a flat, smooth work surface. Whatever the size of your work
surface, don’t let it get cluttered. When you sit down to study, clear it of everything you don’t need for the
assignment you’re working on.
You should have good, even lighting across your work space. Soft, indirect lighting is better for your eyes
than direct lighting. The temperature and ventilation in your study area are also important, though what’s
best is mostly your personal preference. If you have any way to control the temperature and ventilation in
your study area, adjust both so that you are comfortable and alert.
Organize your materials: The final step in managing your physical environment is to organize your
materials. This step begins during the day at school. As you take notes in class, write down your
homework assignments. When you arrive home, take your books and assignments to your study area
instead of dropping them on the counter or floor when you come in the door. This way, you won’t waste
any time searching for your materials once you are ready to study. Also, try to have supplies you use
frequently (dictionary, pens, paper, calculator, etc.) and supplies you may need periodically (graph paper,
thesaurus, colored pencils, etc.) on your desk or nearby shelf. When you finish studying each night, be
sure to put everything back where it belongs so you can easily locate it for your next study session.
Summary:
Managing Your Physical Environment
1. Build the study habit studying in a regular place.
2. Get rid of the distracting sights, sounds, and interruptions that can interfere with your
concentration.
3. Make sure that your study desk or table, lighting, chair, and the temperature and ventilation are
suitable for effective studying.
4. Keep your study materials and supplies organized and close at hand.