Students often assume their success on academic tasks will depend on how they study and what they study. Unfortunately the components of “where” and “when” to study are sometimes neglected. Not all students have the same requirements, so it’s important to determine the best study environment.

Where to Study

When deciding where to study, students must take several factors into consideration. The following environments may help your student maximize his study time:

Home: the student’s home is the most logical study spot. The student’s room, the kitchen, or the home’s study can all make potential study spots. Common distractions include TV, video games, siblings, friends, pets, and even parents themselves. It is important to limit these distractions when using the home as the primary study space.
School: school can be a very efficient place to study. Having access to the school library, teachers, and even peers can offer additional study support. Some students, however, are eager to leave school once the day has ended. Establishing study hall hours during school can help.
Library: the library can provide students with a quiet work environment. The library typically offers few distractions and plenty of resources. The hardest part is getting to and from the library, but once there, it can be a very efficient space.
Coffee shop: this is a somewhat trendy spot for students to work and is usually full of distractions. However, some students do well with the background noise. And working at a coffee shop can be a compromise for students who are reluctant to work in a typical study environment.

When to Study

Identifying the best time of day to study is also very important. Students can mix and match different times to take advantage of their energy and attention levels.

During school: using time at school to study can be a very efficient process. Reviewing notes after class, during lunch, or a free period can help reinforce the concepts they just learned.
Immediately after school: some students like to get homework and studying done immediately afterschool. This can be challenging though because the brain often needs time off from a long day of school. This time, however, can be beneficial for students who get tired at night.
After dinner: it’s good for students to take a break afterschool. Once the brain rests, it will be much easier to review, learn, and retain information. Students should start quickly after dinner though to make sure they can go to sleep at a reasonable hour.

While establishing an effective study environment is effective, it is imperative that the student sticks to his routine. Study skills are a habit, and learning when and where to study is no different.