Parent Corner: Creating a Productive Study Space with your Teen

The stereotypical notion of a great study space is a silent, solitary corner with a desk, office chair, & filing cabinet. 

But we don’t all work best in the same environment. Some people prefer to study in a quiet library setting; others need a buzz of activity around them in order to concentrate. A traditional, quiet environment might work for an older sibling, but that might not be the case for their younger sister. Here are some ways you can help your high schooler figure out the best environment for their individual learning style and how they study best.

LEARNING STYLE COUNTS

Brainstorm with your teen! A study space can be a nook of a common living area or a desk in a shared bedroom. Help your teen to determine the must-haves of their study space and to pinpoint what distracts them. Maybe silence is their worst enemy and the constant drone of background noise allows them to focus. A spot at the kitchen table might be just the ticket! Some students might get into the zone by listening to background music on headphones. If their learning style requires quiet, then a less bustling part of the house might work better. Experiment with different environments. 

COMFORT (BUT NOT TOO MUCH)

Ideally, provide a comfortable chair and desk or table and good lighting. At all costs, discourage the temptation to study in bed (Zzzzzz) or on the sofa where the temptation to turn on a streaming service looms large! Also, studying slumped in bed or on the couch can cause aches and pains, even in teens. 

DECLUTTER & PERSONALIZE

Mess and clutter make it hard to think. Encourage your teen to find a spot that is not cluttered: file or toss unneeded papers and build systems to organize future work. Decorate the space with a houseplant or a couple of photos. 

UNPLUG

Encourage your teen to keep their study space free of devices. The biggest culprit -- their phones-- should be left in another room and, if they are using a computer to study, urge them to turn off the WIFI or activate Do Not Disturb.

ROUTINE 

Work with your teen to set a study routine.  Working in the same spot, at roughly the same time each day helps your teen make studying a habit. By adopting a study routine, it will become second nature and lead to success in college.