How to Study Outside and Boost Your Learning Experience: 11 Tips
This article has everything you need to know about studying outside.
Studying outdoors can be a refreshing routine during warm weather. Various studies have shown that studying outside can encourage more creative thinking, reduce stress, and improve memory.
For individuals with ADHD or concentration difficulties, these benefits may be more pronounced. Therefore, it’s advisable to take advantage of nature and study in the midst of nature. It’s a decision you will not regret.
How to Study Outside:
1. Make sure to gather all the mandatory items before you venture out in the sun for a long study session.
Forgetting something important can distract you and force you to return to the room. If you plan to read, it is suggested to load multiple e-books onto a single device to increase portability and avoid running out of reading material. Also, pack snacks and a water bottle to stave off hunger and thirst, which can irritate and disrupt your blood flow.
2. Choose a convenient and safe location for your outdoor study session.
There are several appropriate places to study outside, each with its own advantages and drawbacks. A park or common area at your school is a fantastic free option, but it can be too noisy and uncomfortable if you sit on the ground for too long.
An outdoor cafe with seating is a fantastic alternative because you can work on the tables and buy food and drinks, but they can be expensive, and the cafe may expect you to still order. Your backyard, patio, deck, or balcony are another great option because they offer more control over your environment, but may not satisfy your desire to leave the house or socialize.
3. Choose a snug place to rest during your study session.
It’s a good idea to bring a blanket to sit on and spread out your materials. To avoid discomfort and stiffness, be sure you support your back properly. Consider bringing a lawn chair or cushion to sit on rather than sitting on the ground for long periods of time, which can distract from your focus.
However, avoid getting too snug and falling asleep during your session. Do not lie on your back with pillows and blankets, as this can cause drowsiness.
4. Consider lighting when choosing an outdoor study location.
Natural light is optimal for studying, as it promotes concentration and calm while reducing the likelihood of headaches. Choose a spot with sufficient lighting, but watch for direct sunlight, which can overwhelm you and make reading screens or pages of a white book difficult.
If you choose a sunny area, make sure to apply sunscreen first and bring sunglasses to protect your eyes. However, partial shade may be a more practical option for extended study sessions.
5. When studying outdoors, it is necessary to avoid distractions that can hinder your concentration.
While studying outside can stop indoor distractions, such as video games or household chores, it can even create distractions of its own. When choosing your study location, avoid locations with apparent distractions. For example, while a park is a fantastic place to study (1), sitting near a playground stuffed with noisy kids or an area of out-of-control dogs can make it hard to focus.
6. If you are someone who prefers studying with music, it’s a good idea to bring noise-canceling headphones when studying outside.
Music can help you tune out distracting sounds in your environment, which can be found in many outdoor study situations. Some people can handle studying amid noise, but for others, sounds like dogs barking or people talking can make it difficult to focus.
To block out these sounds, it can help to listen to music that’s familiar and not too loud. If you need to read, it is best to listen to music without the lyrics so you do not get distracted.
If possible, use loudspeakers rather than headphones, as some studies have shown that wearing headphones can make it tougher to retain information. Finally, studying with minimal background noise can help you adjust to the sound of the exam in the classroom with other students.
7. To avoid distractions, consider not using technology while studying outside, particularly if you do not need the internet for work.
You can put your laptop into airplane mode or turn off your phone or put it on silent mode. Keep your phone away from you to avoid temptation. Working outside can help you break the habit of checking social media repeatedly, which is less complicated to do when studying indoors.
8. To keep yourself engaged and focused, try combining different study assignments while studying outside.
Doing so can help keep you motivated and avoid distractions. For example, you could read a chapter from a book for your English class, then move on to doing a little math problems or reviewing foreign language flashcards (2). By varying your assignments, you can keep your study sessions interesting and maintain your concentration despite the distractions around you.
9. Studying outside is more fun than studying alone in your room because it feels like a social activity.
You can make it more social by inviting friends or study groups to join you. Even if you do not talk much, being around other people can offer you a sense of social connection.
10. According to research, changing the study location can help in better information retention.
This is particularly advantageous when studying outdoors because there are normally more location options available than when studying indoors. Scientists suggest that learning in multiple settings provides a richer and more diversified contextual environment, which helps stop the brain from forgetting material.
11. It’s as important to take breaks when studying outside, as it’s studying indoors, to help you stay focused and refreshed.
The advantage of studying outside is that you can take advantage of your downtime by doing a little physical activity. Instead of scrolling through social media, consider taking a brief walk or playing a game of frisbee. This will energize you and offer you a new burst of concentration as you continue studying.
Studying outside can be a fantastic way to change up your study routine, but it requires some special considerations. Here are some tips for studying outside effectively:
- Find a snug place with good lighting that’s free from distractions.
- Consider bringing noise-canceling headphones or speakers to play some music that helps you focus.
- Disconnect from technology or limit its use as much as possible.
- Vary your assignments to keep them interesting.
- Make it a social activity by studying with friends or groups.
- Move to a different location periodically to help retain information.
- Take a break and use it for exercise to stay fresh.
I want to thank you for taking the time to read my article on how to study outside. I actually hope that its content has been of good help to you.
