How to Make Studying Fun: 10 Tips for Creating a Stress-Free Study Space

Transitioning into college is a time for learning and adapting. Learning to study in a new space is just one of the many things that come with adjusting to college life. How to make studying fun might seem like a daunting task, but just by creating a space that you want to be in will automatically make studying more enjoyable. 

Limit Desractions

The first step to creating a stress-free study space is to limit your distractions within your space. Turn off your phone and move it to a spot where you can’t reach it. It might seem silly to go through all of that work to not be distracted by your phone, but today we are so used to checking our phones that we do it without realizing it. So, if your phone is out of reach, you won’t be tempted to grab it or unconsciously grab it and end up on TikTok for an hour (you're a college student, it happens, but you can be proactive about it). It’s not just electronics that can be distracting, though. If your space is super cluttered, it can cause added distractions and stress. It is important to have an organized space to help you stay productive while studying. 

Clean off Your Desk

This leads me into the next tip: clean off your desk. It can be worth putting in the work before you study to clean off your desk and organize your space so you can be more productive during your study session and reduce stress later. When your desk is cluttered, it can be easy to become distracted by something sitting on it. 

Lighting is Key

You may be surprised by how much lighting can impact your studying experience. Having a well-lit room does not mean the room has good lighting. Lighting in a workspace can impact your productivity, mood, and health. Natural light has been proven to boost people’s moods and productivity while they’re working. Whereas bright fluorescent lights can worsen your mood and cause more stress. When creating your stress-free study space, it is important to pay attention to the lighting. Does the room get lots of natural light? Is the only lighting option a bright fluorescent light? If your room doesn’t get enough natural light, or you are going to need to study at night a lot, make sure to find a good lamp that will brighten your room while also reflecting natural light to minimize the effects of artificial lighting. 

Limit Distracting Noise

Distractions don’t just come in the form of objects or things; noise can be just as easily distracting. When living in a dorm room, noise is hard to avoid. Whether it is your roommate or noise coming from your hallway or outside your window, you unfortunately can’t limit all distractions. This is why having noise-cancelling headphones can be so helpful. You’re able to reduce distraction noise without having to worry about finding a perfectly quiet space. People have also found that music can help boost their productivity while studying. So creating a good study playlist can be beneficial for helping you be more productive and reduce stress about getting everything done (and it can help reduce outside distracting noise). 

Create a Routine

Having a routine of studying in the space can help to create a sense of normalcy and improve your productivity. It will help to train your brain that when you are in that space, you are supposed to be working. This, paired with studying at similar times and then a routine while studying (such as studying for a specific amount of time followed by a 5 min break), can make studying feel less overwhelming. Everyone’s study routine will look a little different, and it’s ok to try out different routines until you find what works best for you!

Light a Candle (Or candle alternative)

Scents are a great way to help create a stress-free environment. If you’re off campus, try lighting a candle when you begin studying! If you’re on campus, most dorms don’t allow candles, but you can get essential oils to use while studying. There is a wide variety of scents that are used to help reduce stress (some candles even come in stress-relief scents). Lavender is one of the most common scents used to reduce stress and anxiety, but there are so many more, such as chamomile, sage, and sandalwood.

Add a plant! (Or just something green)

If you’re able to keep plants alive, that will make a great addition to your study space. However, if you’re like me and can never remember to water plants, try adding a fake plant. Adding some green to your space can make it feel more lively, and the more energy your space has, the more energy you will have. Plants, even fake ones, can make a space more fun, which is perfect for creating a good study space. 

Make Sure You Have Comfortable Seating

It is important to have a comfortable chair to sit in while you are studying. If you are going to be studying for an extended period of time,  you aren’t going to want to sit on the floor on a chair with no back. It is important to have good posture because it will influence your energy levels, productivity, and overall comfort. So, to be less stressed when studying, it is important to have a chair that is comfortable and supports good posture. It is also important not to study in your bed. It may be comfortable, but your brain is trained to relax and sleep when you’re in bed. So, you’re going to want to have a space just for studying to ensure you’re able to focus and reduce any stress. 

Use Calming colors

Colors affect our mood, and the colors of a room can greatly impact the energy and purpose of that room. Bright colors can bring a lot of energy to a room, but might not be the best choice for a room where you want to reduce stress and have a sense of calm. Light colors and neutrals can make your space feel calm and comforting. Hanging some neutral decorations in your room can help to make it a very calming space, perfect for reducing stress while studying. 

Make the Space Yours

With all this being said, it is important to make your room and space your own! Find decorations that feel comforting to you, and that will make your space feel like home. When you feel comfortable in your space, it will ultimately be less stressful and will be more enjoyable for you to study there.  

College can be stressful, but your study space doesn’t have to be. Once you have an enjoyable space, it will be even easier to continue to learn how to make studying fun. So, just remember to create a space that is comforting to you, and these tips will just help you take your space to the next level.