How to organise your desk space

Did you know that organising your desk can increase productivity? 

Taking the time to organise your desk can come in really handy during exam season. There are so many psychological benefits of having a neat and tidy space that you associate with studying so you can stay focused. 

If you're the type of studier whose desk is covered with snack wrappers and loose documents or you simply don't know where to start, here are some simple yet effective tips to help you be more productive on the run-up to exam time. 

1. Declutter

This is the first step of getting your desk in shape (especially if you're a stationary hoarder). Be regimental in choosing which items you rarely use and which you rely on. Everything you don't use can either be binned or put elsewhere.

This can be difficult but keeping things 'just in case' is a bad habit if you want to really organise your workspace. Be brave to let go of things that you know won't come in handy anymore. Decluttering your work space can help declutter your mind and improve focus. 

2. Think about how you work best

If you're used to having all of your books, notes and documents on one side of your desk and your stationary on their other, it's a good idea to keep these sections on their designated sides so you know exactly where everything is. When you work in a specific way, it becomes instinctive to unconsciously reach in the direction you're used to for certain items. Changing this can cause you to become distracted and disoriented in your own workspace. 

It's also important to have a clear workspace in the middle, for example if you work on a laptop, iPad or in a notepad, keep your main working medium in the centre of the desk as you'll be using it most often. It might take a while to work out what feels natural to you, so experiment until you find a structure that suits your work habits. 

3. Save some space

At some point, you're bound to need enough space to spread out books, documents, loose pieces of paper and more so dedicate a section of empty space to accommodate these when needed. Try to keep this spot clear throughout your study sessions so you don't need to move everything to free up some space. 

This will also get you into the habit of not letting things sit there while you aren't working on them which can increase stress. Removing any visual clutter reduces distractions and helps you keep focused on the task at hand. 

It might come in handy to move your calendar, to-do list and notes pad to your computer, laptop and other devices to reduce the amount of items you need on your desk. The good thing is you can also link these to your mobile so you can stay up to date on the go! 

4. Add a personal touch

Of course, it wouldn't be your desk space without adding your own personal flair. Making your workspace really feel like your own can improve your mood and encourage you to make positive connections with that space. 

Incorporate your favourite colours and use objects that bring you joy, such as photos, inspirational quotes, figurines and aesthetic ornaments. Just make sure you don't have too many taking up useful space - you don't want your desk to get cluttered immediately after you've cleared it! 

5. Comfort is key 

Everyone has there own comforts when it comes to sitting down to study, whether you like a cushion on your desk chair, a blanket nearby or a dim lamp for revising at night. Make space for a coaster so you know you'll always have space for your hot drinks and water bottle (it's important to stay hydrated through those long study days). 

Another huge comfort is having snacks nearby, so having a dedicated snack drawer can come in handy. You won't have to leave your workspace to go to the kitchen and can avoid any distractions. Just make sure you have a small bin nearby to avoid the rubbish piling up on your desk. Feeling comfortable in your workspace has a lot of perks but don't make it too cosy that you end up nodding off half-way through your study session! 

6. Keep it clean

You don't need to wipe down your desk everyday but it's a good idea to give it a tidy in the last 5 minutes of your study time so you can have a fresh start the next day and get started on your tasks. Sitting down to a clean, dust-free work area can improve your mood and boost productivity so it's definitely worth it. 

Cleaning your desk doesn't take long and you shouldn't have much to move once you have organised everything. By keeping on top of it you can reduce your time away from studying whilst keeping a clear mind. 

Everyone works differently so it's important to find a system that works for you. Tidy desk = clear mind.