How to Setup a Dedicated Study Area
When you notice your child tends to wander around the house just to do their schoolwork, there’s a very good chance that they’re not getting much done. It’s always possible that they’re just trying to make the best of what’s available to them and it’s not really working out for them as well. Observe how many times they move around and if they’re actually getting work done. But if you’re getting concerned, especially if their grades are declining, it’s time to give them a dedicated space that they can call their own. This can be inside their room or in a different part of the house that they feel they are most comfortable and productive.
So how do you transform your chosen space into a conducive area for studying?
Before you do anything else, the first thing you need to do is to get your kid on board with the plan. Encourage them to come up with their own ideas and you can brainstorm together on how you can do things. Get them engaged in the activity and consider it a bonding moment. Have fun with this together. One idea is to make an idea board. If you have a whiteboard, that would be easier because you can easily erase and modify as you go along your plan together. Or you can do your ideas in individual papers and compare notes. And before you even begin moving things around, maybe find things your child would like to have in their space.
Now, to business.
Start with an empty space.
It’s easier to bring your plans into fruition if you start with a clean slate. So once you’ve identified your space, remove everything you can from top to bottom. Clean out the area as best as you can. When that’s done, take it in, maybe even decide together if you want to repaint it or put in new wallpaper. You can also put in some photos or art on the walls.
Make a list.
This is actually important because it will give you a good inventory of what you’ll be moving around to fit in the space. This list should include everything from a bookbag to the table. List all the furniture that will be going in there. When you have all these identified, arrange the list from largest to smallest. This will give you a better idea of your space requirement or if you’ll need to swap out the things in your list for something else that’s more practical. You can get a better visualization of your plan by measuring each bulky item or furniture against the space you want to place it in.
If you’re planning to add an area rug, do this before you start adding furniture. Make sure to finalize this decision because this will be difficult to remove or adjust after you get your furniture on them. Move the biggest one into place first. Maybe start with the table. If you think your child will be spending a lot of time using a table, you might as well want to consider using ergonomic tables. And if they tend to need to adjust positions from sitting to standing, a good adjustable ergonomic table will work wonders for your child. They can easily adjust the table to a height they need. This will work to a great advantage if they’ll be working on art projects or other projects that will need them to have a good bird’s eye view to work more efficiently. Unlike regular tables, these tables are especially designed to not only promote good posture, but it also allows for great blood circulation throughout the body that can prevent foot and leg pain.
Once your table’s in place, move on to setting up the essentials that will require electricity. Computers, chargers, lamp, etc. Run the cables and organize them so it won’t obstruct the walking space. Secure them as best as you can before you move shelves if you intend to add some.
Next, move on to adding a side table. Even if you have drawers or organizers on the table or on an overhead shelf, a side table can prove to be a good addition. If you don’t have anything in particular you’d want to add on top of it, you can temporarily add a small potted plant and maybe a couple of pictures or trinkets they want to add in their space. Adding something else that is not necessarily work related but is more of a personal touch can still promote a refreshing sense that can add motivation to productivity.
Get your chair in position.
A good ergonomic computer chair will do wonders for your student and his study habits. One of the biggest obstacles a student faces when sitting for a long time is neck and shoulder soreness. But a good ergonomic chair will prevent that and even improve their posture for the long term. These chairs come in a variety of colors and styles that your child can choose from and will definitely match their style and preference. This piece of furniture comes in last but is just as important. Once you place this in front of the table, have your child sit in it and ask them to move around or go through the motions of getting in and out just to make sure it’s not obstructed by anything else or is restricting movement.
Finally, have your child add their personal touches to their space. Just remind them to avoid cluttering and keep their desktop as simple as possible so they will always have enough desk space available. While they might argue that there’s beauty in chaos, an organized space will always give them a welcoming energy that will get them through their tasks. If their table constantly has other unnecessary items on it, they’ll likely get distracted and it might pull them away from the headspace they need. You can give them tips on what to do or maybe give them desk organisers for their small items and a bin they can keep under the table for bigger items.
