As my father would always sing in August, "it's the most wonderful time of year again". Back to school season can be hectic and stressful for all parties involved. Kids are nervous for their new classes and making new friends. Parents are nervous for the large adjustment new grades bring. And everyone is nervous about the higher levels of traffic in the mornings! But something you shouldn't be worried about is the workspace. A well designed workspace can increase productivity, enhance comfort and well-being, and improve organization and time management. Whether that is your child's desk, or your home office, here are our top tips and tricks for having a great back to school season and year!
Design an Inspiring Study Space: Create a study area that promotes productivity and creativity. Use colors and decor that energize the mind and encourage focus. Incorporate motivational posters, artwork, or a vision board to keep students inspired and motivated.
Ergonomic Furniture: Invest in ergonomic furniture, such as an adjustable chair and desk, to ensure a comfortable and supportive study posture. This can help prevent fatigue and improve concentration. If you find that sitting all day doesn't keep you motivated, try a standing desk!
Maximize Storage: Optimize storage solutions to keep study materials, textbooks, and supplies organized and easily accessible. Use shelves, bookcases, and storage boxes to maintain a clutter-free environment. The best desk space keeps most of the clutter hidden behind doors or within drawers so that the desk space itself is clear.
Utilize Wall Space: Install wall-mounted shelves or cork boards to display important schedules, calendars, and to-do lists. This keeps essential information visible and frees up desk space.
Personalize and Customize: Allow students to personalize their study space with items that represent their interests and hobbies. A personalized space is more inviting and encourages ownership of the study area.
Multi-Functional Furniture: Consider using furniture with built-in storage compartments or foldable desks that can be easily tucked away when not in use. This is especially useful for smaller spaces.
Good Lighting: Ensure the study area has ample and task-specific lighting. Proper lighting reduces eye strain and helps maintain focus during long study sessions. In a room, try to have at least 2 sources of light (our goal is to have 3! Overhead lights, chandelier and a table lamp create those in our spaces).
Create a Study Nook: If there's limited space available, create a designated study nook within a bedroom or living area. Use dividers or room separators to define the space and maintain a sense of privacy. Multi-functional furniture can be great for study nooks outside bedrooms.
Cable Management: Keep cables and cords organized and out of the way to prevent clutter and potential hazards. Use cable clips or cable management sleeves to bundle and hide cords.
Inspire Organization: Provide students with stylish and practical desk organizers, trays, and pen holders to keep stationery and supplies in order. Letting them pick their favorites is a great way to encourage and empower students.
Encourage Greenery: Incorporate indoor plants or fresh flowers in the study area to improve air quality and create a calming atmosphere. An oil diffuser works great for air quality as well!
Regular Maintenance: Encourage students to maintain the organization regularly. A quick tidy-up at the end of each study session can prevent clutter from accumulating. Good storage makes this task extremely simple! For adults, try to take the last 10 minutes of the work day to organize your space and file away papers so the next morning you can start fresh.
Designated Homework Bins: Consider having designated bins, trays, or wall dividers for each subject where students can store their textbooks and materials related to ongoing assignments. This helps separate and prioritize different subjects.
These tips allow you to say goodbye to clutter and hello to a beautifully designed space that motivates and supports the learning journey that students embark upon each year, and the productive work environment that adults interact with daily! You may not want to sing songs about going back to school, but with these tricks, it'll feel less frenzied than ever before!
Do you have any other tricks?
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