Written by Annastatia Brooks

Thumbnail & Banner Photo by King Buwa on Unsplash

Picture this: you’re in your room on a rainy Sunday night, you have an essay due tomorrow, and it’s time to grind. You’re in your comfy clothes, you just took a shower, and the last thing you want to do is get up and go to the library.

There is an undeniably negative impact to studying in your bedroom, including interrupting a healthy sleep environment and decreasing work productivity. Your place of work should not be your place of rest. However, there are some days when the very act of getting in the residence elevator to go to a study space seems impossible. I find it frustrating to pack up my laptop, notebooks, pencil case, water bottle, snacks, phone, keys, etc., only to unpack it at the library, and then pack it up again to return to my dorm. The reality is that some nights you will be stuck in your bedroom trying to study. It’s not ideal, but it can be done, and I am going to show you how dorm room studying could even be a positive experience.

This article will focus primarily on single-room dorm living because, in a house or apartment, a kitchen table would be available to use when studying. Of course, these tips could also be applicable in an apartment if you have noisy roommates who are having a party on a school night and you are forced to focus in your bedroom.

Romanticize it

My study inspiration has always been the famous Lofi Girl. She is an animated character portrayed on the live Lofi hip-hop radio station run by Lofi Girl - Lofi Records. A short video of her is played on repeat, simply doing schoolwork at her bedroom desk. I’ll watch her endlessly writing, eyes focused, hair up, and headphones on. There is something so comforting about the plants, soft lighting, and open windows paired with gentle Lofi beats. Before I know it, I have an entire essay written in one sitting. It’s truly magical.

What makes her so special, though? And how can we apply her essence to our study time in our bedrooms?

The answer: romanticize it! With music, lighting, fresh air, snacks, tea, and the freedom that a private and familiar study space provides, I have no doubt you will be focused and motivated, even in your dorm room.

Music

Music has been found to greatly increase concentration. Especially in a dorm that is not a 24-hour quiet floor, headphones may be necessary to block out the sounds of your noisy neighbors. Some good noise-canceling headphones are a must to ensure you are focused and on top of your game (these are the kind I’ve been using for years).

I personally prefer music without lyrics, as it is easier to formulate words in your head without hearing other voices. Try out these great instrumental music playlists when writing your next paper!

If music is too distracting for you, you could also try:

Lighting

Dorms are not known for their pleasing aesthetic. I have found that the lights are often penetrating and harsh, or far too dull. My favorite setup is a table lamp, desk lamp, and string lights. This is fantastic for focusing and cultivating a calm attitude. Task lighting, such as a desk lamp, is excellent for studying, as it forces your brain to focus on the illuminated object (such as a book). The library’s harsh fluorescent lighting fails in comparison to a peaceful setup you can customize in your dorm room.

Open a window

Yet another benefit to studying in your dorm room: you can open windows. This would be impossible at a library or study zone on campus, and if it’s too chilly to study outside, this may be the only fresh air you get all day. Fresh air is excellent for focusing, increasing your productivity, and awakening your mind.

Snacks

Perhaps the best part of staying home to study is the unlimited access to food! On weekends and past operating hours, there is no way to get a snack when studying in the Atrium or Patrick Power Library. While there are vending machines nearby for student use, there is nothing like having a freshly made cup of tea or personalized granola mix when studying.

Try these teas, which are beneficial for when you need to focus:

Freedom of movement

Finally, something I know other students value when studying in their dorm is the ability to move freely. Switching positions while sitting at your desk and having the option to study on the floor is possible without disrupting others in a public space. Moving during study sessions is essential for concentration and stress relief, so I won’t fail to mention the value of a dance break! Blast your favorite tunes to get yourself energized and focused for another hour of grinding away!

I hope these tips and ideas can help you optimize every minute of your lengthy evenings inside your dorm room. No matter which way you study, you can make working in a space as small as a dorm all the more enjoyable. Please take advantage of the wide range of tools and resources listed above to confidently tackle dorm room studying!

Optimizing Dorm Room Studying