How to Study In Dorms: Do's and Don'ts

Studying in dorms, is it even possible? I have concluded that yes, it can be done with some tips of course. If you’re like me, you know that studying takes deep concentration that just isn’t as achievable in a dorm room as–say a quiet study room. 

How can we change this? It would be beneficial since it is much more convenient to just stay in your room while studying–especially if you live in the dorms. 

Here are some DON'TS when studying in your dorm room: 

1. DON’T Study in Your Bed

Studying in your bed is a surefire way to get distracted. Whether it’s by sleep, or your phone, overall, just being in your bed provides a feeling of comfort that distracts you from focusing on the course materials. To combat this, just stay at the trusty desk included in your dorm! 

2. DON’T Eat a Whole Meal

This is more particular, but I know when I am studying and decide to make some food, I tend to make up the following excuses: “I’ll finish my food then I’ll study”, “I’ll solve this problem then take a break to eat”, “It will be too messy eating and studying at the same time”.

If you start rationalizing these, it’s already too late. So as a general rule, I tend to not eat more than a light snack while studying. It can be more distracting than just eating before or after. 

3. DON’T Study in the Dark

Studying in the dark is problematic in many ways. It can make you tired, put strain on your eyes–especially if you’re reading, and make it hard to focus if it's difficult to see. Now this doesn’t mean turning on the main light for the room. For me–the main light is too bright and makes it irritating to study. I also tend to study later so I don’t want to disturb my roommate. 

I recommend using a lamp–and even better if there is still sunlight, open the curtains! Sunlight is very beneficial to studying. 

So you may be wondering, what are some DO’S? Well, I’ve got some for you!

1. DO Listen to Music

Wearing headphones can be both beneficial and harmful. It really depends on the type of music you are listening to. If you listen to very energetic and catchy music, you may end up focusing more on the lyrics than the actual material. If you listen to sad or broody music, you might lose motivation to study.

So what should you listen to? Well, classical music has been a favorite of many students. Personally, I find it helpful but it’s not for me. I listen to slow/mellow music that I already know–because I find if I listen to new music then I focus too much on the song. 

But regardless, finding the music that works for you is super beneficial to staying focused–some people even listen to white noise! 

2. DO Wear Comfortable Clothes

Comfort is something that you may not think about when studying. But when you are sitting down at your desk trying to focus, and you suddenly can only focus on the uncomfortable feeling of your jeans–it will disrupt you. 

Wearing comfortable clothes like sweatpants, leggings, hoodies, and t-shirts with soft fabrics can help you study for longer and stay focused. This is especially important if you tend to have sensory issues and get distracted easily when focusing on these details. 

3. DO Set Timed Breaks

Working continuously can become tiring very quickly. Once you get drained, you are less likely to keep studying and may end up associating that draining feeling with studying overall. 

Setting timers to take breaks can help prevent this. You may think: “But won’t this distract me?” And you’d be correct. However, giving your brain a break, and doing something you find entertaining can help you from becoming bored. Now there are some dangers: you may end up taking the break and never returning. This is easily corrected by setting another timer to end the break.

This is all about self-discipline! Make sure you remind yourself what you are studying for and what your academic goals are. 

The intervals of these breaks are entirely up to you; for me, I study for 35 minutes and then take a 15-minute break. There are many example strategies online–or find one that works for you! 

I hope you take these DO’S and DON’TS and embark on a journey to study productively in your dorm!