What Makes a Great Study Space?
By Julie Diamond, Founder & CEO of Diamond Teachers Group
In August 2024, I shared tips for creating the “perfect” study space for online tutoring. At the time, those strategies worked well for many of our students. But as I have continued working closely with learners of all ages and learning profiles, I have realized something important. There is no single version of a “perfect study space”.
What I have learned as an educator is that the best study spaces are personal. A setup that helps one student feel calm, focused, and confident might feel distracting or uncomfortable for another.
That is why it is worth revisiting the idea of a study space, not as something picture perfect, but as something flexible and responsive. When a study space honours how a learner’s brain works, it becomes a place where learning feels more accessible and confidence can grow.
If you are interested in other strategies to help teens take ownership of their learning, you might enjoy our blog on helping teens study smarter, not harder, which explores approaches that adapt to the learner rather than forcing a rigid method.
Quiet Is Not Always Best
Many people assume that quiet automatically leads to focus. For some learners, that is absolutely true. A calm, silent corner can help the brain tune into reading, writing, or problem solving.
However, we have worked with just as many students who struggle in silence. For them, gentle background sound actually helps regulate attention and reduces internal distractions.
Ideas to try:
Playing the same song on repeat
Silence with noise cancelling headphones
Classical pop covers, which is a current favourite of mine
Ambient sounds such as rain, café noise, or white noise
Pay attention to how focus and comfort change with each option. The goal is not silence. The goal is regulation.
Your Body Clock Matters
Not every brain works best at the same time of day. Some learners absorb new information more easily in the morning when they feel fresh. Others find their focus and creativity peak later in the afternoon or evening.
I often remind families that difficulty concentrating at a certain time of day does not mean a student is unmotivated or resistant. It often means their brain operates on a different rhythm. Aligning study time with that rhythm can make a noticeable difference.
You can see how this idea works in practice in our post about exam preparation strategies, which also includes tips on timing, breaks, and planning to build confidence.
Movement and Posture Can Improve Focus
A desk and chair work well for some learners, but not for all. Many students think more clearly when they are able to move, stretch, or change positions.
I regularly see students focus better when they are allowed to stand, pace, or sit somewhere comfortable rather than being expected to stay still.
Options to experiment with:
Standing desks or adjustable setups
Cushions, beanbags, or couches
Working on the floor with a laptop stand
Short movement breaks every twenty to thirty minutes
Movement is not a distraction. For many learners, it is a tool.
Lighting and Sensory Preferences Vary
Natural light supports focus for many learners, but it can also create glare or distraction. Some students feel energized by bright light, while others feel calmer and more focused with softer or warmer lighting. I’m in the latter camp - warm lighting all the way!
Things to test:
Daylight near a window
A focused desk lamp
Warm lighting in the evening
Lower lighting for creative or reflective tasks
Comfort plays a large role in attention, and lighting is an important part of that comfort.
Location Can Shape Focus
A study space does not have to be a desk in a bedroom. Some learners focus better when others are working nearby, such as in a library or café. Others need privacy and minimal stimulation.
Possible study locations:
A bedroom or home office
A library or quiet study room
A café with background noise
An outdoor space such as a balcony or patio
The best location is the one that helps the learner feel present and engaged.
Tools Should Match How You Think
Some learners thrive with structure and organization. Others think visually or verbally. The tools used for studying should reflect how the brain processes information.
Useful tools to explore:
Planners, checklists, or written schedules
Mind maps and colour coded notes (this is me 100%! I colour-code by subjects but you can use colours to divide tasks based on your comfort level with the material or the urgency)
Voice notes to summarize learning
Timers to support focused work periods
There is no wrong tool. The best tools are the ones that make thinking clearer.
Flexibility Matters
A setup that works today might not work next month. Learning needs change depending on the subject, energy level, and stage of the school year.
Helpful questions to revisit regularly:
What is helping me focus right now?
Does my space match the type of work I am doing?
Has my best study time shifted?
A strong study space evolves with the learner.
Tips for Parents of Neurodivergent Learners
For neurodivergent learners, including Autistic students, students with ADHD, dyslexia, or other learning differences, the idea of one perfect study setup can be especially unhelpful.
What matters most is creating an environment that supports regulation, reduces stress, and honours how your child’s brain works.
Helpful strategies for families:
Focus on regulation before academics. If your child is overwhelmed or dysregulated, learning will be much harder. Movement, snacks, or calming activities can help before study time begins.
Offer choice whenever possible. Let your child choose where to sit, whether to use music or silence, and which tools to use. Choice increases buy in and reduces power struggles.
Normalize flexible seating and movement. Wiggling, pacing, or changing positions can support focus. Stillness is not a requirement for learning.
Use visual supports and routines. Visual schedules, timers, and simple checklists reduce anxiety and support independence.
Keep sessions short and realistic. Multiple short sessions are often more effective than one long stretch. Ending on a success builds confidence.
Separate behaviour from ability. Difficulty sitting still or focusing does not reflect intelligence or capability. It often signals a mismatch between the learner and the environment.
We explore these ideas in more depth in our blog on neurodiversity affirming education practices, which focuses on understanding the learner rather than forcing a one-size-fits-all approach.
Above all, aim for progress over perfection. A supportive and understanding environment helps learners feel safe, capable, and ready to learn.
There is no universal blueprint for the perfect study space. Learning looks different for everyone, and that difference is a strength. Whether your child needs silence or music, mornings or evenings, movement or stillness, their study space should support how they learn best.
Learning differently does not mean learning less. It means learning in a way that helps learners shine.
Not sure where to start? Work with one of our high school teachers to learn test prep strategies and discover how to set up your study space to support your unique learning style.