Time to change study spaces! 

I have been quite busy with school work lately, and I have learned that study spaces play a huge role in getting the school work done. I tried to study in the library (And this generalization does not extend outside of my school, because our library has a particularly depressing architecture), but the environment was too repressive to open up my mind for readings that demanded creativity and imagination (Such as Philosophy). Working in my room did not help either, because I am constantly distracted with the Internet and other little funny things that add up to hours of unproductive mind numbness.

So the consequence of choosing the wrong study space is the inefficiency and waste of working hours. This might apply not only for students but for bloggers as well. Trying to stay motivated with writing is quite difficult when you are finishing a ten minute video of some random topic that supposedly give you a transient pleasure of laughter and joy, but after hours of trying to write a blog post you realize that you have not even started in writing the title of the article.

The ancients probably had similar problems with their working environment, so the Chinese invented several methods and rules of location particular furniture to keep the environmental balance in check. I believe it would be more efficient in our case to not move furniture but to relocate somewhere else that is more inviting to work.

I think I found just the place. I have been working on some Calculus problems on the first floor of the student union. The atmosphere has some mildly chatters, but I do not find it disturbing. Individual tables are large enough to spread my work out, and the view outside of a lake gives an occasional respite when I feel crushed working on some problems. The chairs are comfortable to sit on, and the casual environment is easy to blend in. There is a food court a few steps away, and nobody minds if I have to make a call using my cell phone. Although it is a bit of a walk from my dormitory, the benefits of studying in the union outweigh every other alternative. I am having a grand time.

Environmental factor truly plays a role in my performance, and it probably will to you also. If you feel you are not productive with you work, then give it a thought and find an alternative location to work. Why not the cozy coffee shops? How about the public library? Maybe the basement?