Equipped for Studying: What You Must Have

It’s 6 p.m. and you’re behind in your studies.  Tests and papers are coming up, so that means it’s not to hit the books and study, study, study.  But then you hit a few roadblocks.  You look around the house and can’t find a pen.  Then you need some scratch paper, and can’t find it.  Fifteen minutes later you find some and sit down to begin.  Now where’s that calculator?  Is it in the other room?  Did your roommate or brother take it?  After you find it, you notice that the batteries are dead.  Now it’s time to find extra batteries. And on and on it goes.

You can waste a good hour just looking for all the supplies you need to study and do your homework.  The good student, though, doesn’t take this chance.  He’s prepared by always making sure that he has everything he needs for his study sessions.  Especially when studying for High School tests, or College Exams.   This means having a good place for study and a “kit” full of all of the things he’ll need.  Here’s what the successful student should make sure he has:

1) A good place to study. This is important because obviously, this is where you’re going to keep all of your other supplies.  That means it needs to be a place where you can conveniently store all of your study supplies.  I should also have a comfortable chair and good lighting.  Preferably, it is turned away from things that will distract you, like windows or open doorways.  More on Creating a Productive Study Space.

2) Computer and printer. We don’t need to say much about this, except that many of the school-related tasks that once required a trip to the library can now be accomplished on the Internet.  Also, many assignments must be typed.  That’s why you also will need a printer.

3) Get a box or holder to store other supplies in. You could use a drawer in the desk, a storage tote, or even an old shoe box.  The most important consideration is that it needs to be easy to access.  You should keep all of your study-related items in there, ready to go. This storage container should never move from your desk area.  Make sure that family members or roommates know that these supplies are important and that they should not be used without your permission.  They’re to be used only in that area.  You might even place a label on them to avoid any confusion.

4) Inside this box should be kept the following items (Some variation is allowed, depending on what classes you’re taking):  pencils, pens, erasers, calculator with appropriate batteries, markers (Make sure lids are tightly attached), highlighters.  You’ll also need printer paper, but it will be kept at your printer.  Your books will stay with you in your backpack.  Everything else can go in this “study kit.”

Now, with your handy kit, you should be prepared the next time you’re ready to study–and you won’t be stymied by not being able to find the right supplies.

More about a good study environment

About the Author   Brian is a writer and web developer living in Victoria BC. He has a BA in Economics and an MA in Psychology. Brian has written and published widely on education, testing, psychology and popular culture.