Building a Supportive Study Environment at Home: Tips for creating a conducive study environment at home, including organising study space and minimising distractions

Creating a comfortable study space in the house is important to promote focus and study habits among students. Homes can be chaotic, especially when a student does not have his/her room and there are siblings, parents, grandparents and other relatives living with them too. Even if one has a room, there are distractions such as the television, getting up frequently to find something to eat in the kitchen, running errands for someone in the house, video games or going out to play with friends. It takes the concerted efforts of the student and their family to create a conducive study environment at home.

Quick tips to create a supportive study environment at home

1. Adhere to a strict TV schedule with some “no-TV” periods in the house. TV time can also be offered as a reward where the student will decide what everyone can watch at the TV time if they have positively utilised their study period. 
2. Everyone must respect each other’s space and priorities acknowledge the sacrifices and not blindly expect the support they are given.
3. Around exam times or critical years such as board exams, there must be a strict no-guest and no-functions policy as this is when most support is required.
4. Stock the kitchen and refrigerator with plenty of healthy snacks and water. Try not to keep the food in the student’s room or serve them at their study table. The break that the student takes to get up and walk to the kitchen and get their snack, meal or water will help them take a short break and refresh their minds.
5. Avoid cluttering the study space with anything that does not belong to them and join them to help them clear out the space and have a clean work desk.
6. Have positive conversations and hang posters of strong quotes or positive images that will attract good energy and motivate the student to do well. 
7. Keep extra notebooks and stationeries, but do not overstock anything so that everything is handy and the student can get an excuse to step out at breaks.  

Quick Tips to Create a Supportive Study Environment at Home

• Adhere to a strict TV schedule with some “no-TV” periods in the house. TV time can also be offered as a reward where the student will decide what everyone can watch at the TV time if they have positively utilised their study period.
• Everyone must respect each other’s space and priorities, acknowledge the sacrifices and not blindly expect the support they are given.
• Around exam times or critical years such as board exams, there must be a strict no-guest and no-functions policy as this is when most support is required.
• Stock the kitchen and refrigerator with plenty of healthy snacks and water. Try not to keep the food in the student’s room or serve them at their study table. The break that the student takes to get up and walk to the kitchen and get their snack, meal or water will help them take a short break and refresh their minds.
• Avoid cluttering the study space with anything that does not belong to them and join them to help them clear out the space and have a clean work desk.
• Have positive conversations and hang posters of strong quotes or positive images that will attract good energy and motivate the student to do well.
• Keep extra notebooks and stationeries, but do not overstock anything so that everything is handy and the student can get an excuse to step out at breaks.

Reducing technological distractions

Schools send homework and notes on the class WhatsApp group or the school ERP. Students are expected to submit their reports and assignments online. A lot of research for assignments and projects happens online. To prepare presentations access past question papers and study resources and store and access one’s notes, students rely on laptops, tablets and smartphones. Using parental locks is one way to control the student’s urge to browse the internet or go on social media. However, this may undermine their self-confidence and even create trust issues. Students and parents can have a clear understanding of how much screen time is allowed, and the student is given the liberty to choose the milestone after which they can reward themselves with some screen time. It is important to oversee that the student is not on any harmful websites that can affect their fragile mindsets.

The study space

The study space must have good natural light during the day and proper electrical lighting after sundown. Having a window adjacent to the study table with a good view of trees or greenery outside can help refresh the students’ minds every time they lift their heads. The space must be airy and comfortable and there must be ample space to store one’s study material and have easy access to them. Try to keep the study table facing a blank wall or space so that when they lift their head to memorise or think they are not distracted by any notes, timetable or other design. The book and table must be of good height so that the student has a good posture while they are working and do not have to hunch over their books. 

Create a routine

There must be a set routine for the student with clearly marked study hours and relaxation time. It is good if the student will prepare their timetable because they understand the needs of their routine best. Avoid making a very stringent timetable that does not give space for unregulated play or relaxation time or time for hobbies and other interests - all work and no play make Jack a dull boy. It is also important to ensure that the students are made aware of current events from around the world and what is happening in their immediate surroundings to keep them grounded. 

Families must avoid negative comparisons and the student must be surrounded by goodwill and positivity that encourages them and reassures them that their family and friends trust them to make good choices. Ultimately, the onus of how well they use their time lies on the student.