Having the right study environment is important. You want a nice, quiet area to concentrate on your work. However, no matter how comfortable your study area is, sitting down at an empty desk with no supplies will make studying very difficult.
In order to study effectively, there are a number of essentials you need to have at hand. Whether it’s a pen and paper to scribble down your notes or a bright overhead light to illuminate the area, without these tools and accessories, you might find studying much harder than it needs to be.
You might be wondering what items you need to maximize your studies. Don’t worry! Here is a simple list of the study essentials that every student needs to own.
Student Essentials Empower Your Study
Contents
Desk Clock
Taking regular breaks during your long study sessions has been shown to boost productivity and enhance memory. Having a clock nearby is going to ensure you keep an eye on the time so you don’t forget to take these breaks. Desk clocks are also handy if you need to revise for any upcoming timed examinations. You can practice working under pressure within time constraints.
Planner
When you have multiple tests and deadlines coming up, it can be difficult trying to organize your study schedule. This is where having a planner is going to be a lifesaver! Even if you usually use the planner on your smartphone, having a physical copy of your schedule can make it much easier to stay on top of things.
Your planner can hold your daily to-do lists, your calendar, and important contact information, such as your teacher’s email addresses.
Fresh Notepad
Even if you’re used to typing out study notes on your laptop, don’t dismiss the power of writing things down. Studies show that when you physically jot something down on paper, you are much more likely to remember it.
Order yourself some fresh notepads so you have the space to write any important facts and figures you need to memorize. Use the paper to produce aesthetic revision pages or create quiz cards. You could buy one for each subject to keep your notes separate if you prefer.
Folders and Dividers
Having folders to organize your revision notes will make studying much easier. Even if you don’t have many notes to begin with, by the time your exams are due, you will likely have hundreds of pieces of paper flying around.
Ensure you have sufficient folders to keep these notes well organized. Stick to one folder per subject and use dividers to indicate specific topics within those subjects.
Calculator
It’s not just mathematics that requires a calculator. Lots of subjects might ask you to perform a complex calculation. Keep a calculator on your desk at all times so you can grab it in times of need.
You may need a scientific calculator, which is a more advanced piece of equipment that has hundreds of extra functions. Check with your tutors to see whether you’re going to need a scientific calculator in your upcoming exams, or whether a basic option will suffice.
Colored Pens
You may be fine using just one black pen. However, for those of you who are visual learners, you might prefer to color-code your notes. Get yourself a set of colored pens so you can create beautiful and eye-catching revision pages. You can dedicate a color to each subject, so if there is a specific topic you want to go back to, you can easily find the right set of notes. Make your notes stand out and get your creative juices flowing with colored pens. It will make studying much easier and more enjoyable!
Sticky Notes
If there are certain facts that you are struggling to keep in your head, writing them down on some sticky notes can really help. You can keep them in your notebook or you can stick them around your bedroom to read every time you enter and exit.
By the time your exams roll around, you will have seen these sticky notes hundreds of times, so you’re bound to have them memorized!
Ruler
You never know when you’re going to need a straight line! Keep a ruler to hand for the times when you need to create a table in your notes or underline titles.
Water Bottle
Although this is not the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the words ‘studying essentials’, having a water bottle is essential when you’re concentrating for prolonged periods of time. You need to stay hydrated in order for your brain to be working optimally. If you fail to drink enough water, you may find yourself losing concentration and forgetting things more easily. Not to mention the nasty dehydration headache!
