Imagine attempting to complete a home study continuing education program in the corner of a messy, crowded kitchen, where friends and family members might be coming in and out, causing all kinds of distractions.
Now, consider the difference between that scenario and one that involves a room or space that is dedicated to the successful completion of your assignments. For professional massage therapists and bodyworkers who aim to make the most of each home-based CE experience, creating such an environment can be can be an important step toward success.
As you begin to consider how to build the best space for the home-study classes you will take throughout your career, the first step may be simply thinking about how your surroundings affect your ability to focus and learn.
Noise Level
According to the University of Alabama Center for Academic Success, noise level is one of the main variables to consider when selecting a study space. The Center for Academic Success reports that quiet tends to be better, but some people may find they work better when there is a low to moderate level of background nose.
Depending on your own preferences, you can create a space that is completely quiet or one that provides just the right amount of background noise—if you prefer the latter, you may want to create a study music playlist or consider investing in a white noise machine.
Lighting
If you need to read or write for the CE course, then it seems obvious that quality lighting is going to be key. However, if your program involves watching videos or viewing other materials on a computer screen, rather than on paper, then you may want the option of dimming the lights or turning off a few lights in order to better see the screen.
Work Station
Along with noise and light levels, preparing for a productive home-study CE class also means making sure your work space is comfortable and well-equipped. This way, you should be able to focus on studying rather than attempting to find a comfortable body position. For this reason, you may want to purchase a desk and chair, if you do not already have these core pieces of office furniture, to place in your study environment.
Similar to practicing proper body mechanics during a session of massage therapy or bodywork, you will want to set up your study station in a way that will allow for proper study posture. Typically, this means looking into what it takes to create an ergonomic work station, particularly if you are planning to use a computer for your home-based CE class. Fortunately, there are several guides to ergonomic work stations available for free online, such as the United States Department of Labor’s Computer Workstations eTool.