Activity: Study Preferences
Did you know that the environment where you choose to do your schoolwork and study can have a significant impact on your study experience. The questions below encourage you to consider the space around you and how it impacts your mood and ability to focus. Our environment can mean objects around us, rooms we are in, furniture, people, animals, noises, lighting, smells, comfort, etc.
Focus on each of the five senses and ask some questions to help you design your best study space.
| Sense | Effect on Study Environment |
|---|---|
| Sight | • Do you prefer to have a lamp on your desk for light? • Do you like to have photos of family and friends around your desk for motivation? • Do you need a tidy workspace to feel focused? |
| Smell | • Do you like to have a diffuser or scented candle near your desk? • Do you prefer to be near a window to have fresh air? |
| Touch | • Do you like to have a pen, stress ball, or fidget piece while you’re studying? • How is the temperature where you are? Do you need a blanket or sweater? • Are you sitting in a comfortable chair? |
| Hearing | • Do you need complete silence to do work? • Do you like to have music playing in the background? • Are you distracted by notifications from cell phones or other devices? |
| Taste | • Do you like to have a snack while you’re studying? • Do you like to have water or another beverage nearby while you work? |
What is your ideal study environment?
ADVISOR TIP
Be an active participant in your courses. Take time to ask questions and engage in discussions. For more tips, review College 101: Study, Strategize and Succeed.
