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If you’re working towards a new qualification, or thinking about enrolling on a course, then you’ll be keen to find out more about the factors that affect educational performance. Outlined below are the results of research conducted by our training partner Home Learning College into the study habits and preferences of adult learners, along with insights on why they are so important.
- Peace and quiet
Top of the list for all students is the need for peace and quiet. The research found that around 50 per cent of people can only learn effectively in a calm and peaceful environment – a figure that rises dramatically with age.
While quiet time can sometimes be hard to find, you will reap the benefits when you focus 100% on your studies. If you have a busy work and family life, then try to plan your week to include a few hours when you won’t be disturbed. Where possible, enlist the help of relatives and friends to give you a break, so you can dedicate time to your personal development.
- Comfortable location
External distractions are not the only factors that negatively affect study performance. Physical discomfort will also take your mind off the job in hand and stop you retaining information. Research shows that where you study – at a desk, in bed or in your local park – isn’t as important as being comfortable in your chosen location. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that prolonged study is best conducted in a chair designed to encourage good posture.
- Natural daylight
The third factor deemed vital to study success is exposure to natural light, as highlighted by over a third of survey participants. Their feedback is supported by the findings of ‘Light Helps Pupils Learn’ - one of the largest studies ever undertaken on the benefits of natural light in schools. Published in 2010, the report revealed that people learn faster and perform better in classrooms with more daylight, with exam results up to 26 percent higher when students are exposed to plentiful natural light.
If your preferred study location lacks high levels of daylight, or you find yourself working mostly at night, then it might be worth investing in a full spectrum lamp which will produce an effect more similar to natural light than a traditional bulb.
- Fresh air
Your brain requires a steady flow of oxygen in order to function at its best, taking around 20% of your body’s supply. A lack of oxygen leads to poor concentration, irritability, forgetfulness and fatigue. As such, it’s no surprise that a third of adults report needing fresh air if they are to study effectively.
If you spend too long in an enclosed area you will end up repeatedly breathing the same air, the oxygen content will reduce and levels of carbon dioxide and other waste gasses will increase. Opening a window or taking regular breaks outdoors will replenish your oxygen supplies and help you stay alert and focused.
- Tidy desk
As the well-known phrase suggests, a tidy desk equals a tidy mind – a theory supported by the 31% of people who state this as a vital requirement when studying. Irrespective of the negative psychological impact created by an untidy desk, the fact remains that it’s harder to work when space is limited or disorganised.
In fact, a cluttered workspace can actually lead to a condition known as "Irritable Desk Syndrome" (IDS), a term coined by NEC-Mitsubishi after conducting research among 2,000 office workers. The study found that IDS is caused by working at an untidy desk, often with poor posture. The combination can lead to physical and mental symptoms, including chronic pain and loss of productivity.
Further research has revealed that a messy desk can actually hold 400 times more bacteria than the average toilet seat. It goes without saying that exposure to germs can lead to illness and affect study performance, so the moral of the story is that maintaining a tidy study environment will benefit you on multiple levels.
So, whatever your chosen subject or level of study, the key to success lies in creating a conducive study environment. Taking these five factors into account will enhance your performance and help you gain the most from your study experience.
For more information on Home Learning College’s range of professionally accredited distance learning courses visit http://www.homelearningcollege.com.