Studying Your Study Environment
by: Roger Seip
How familiar is this scene, “Sweetie, have you done your homework? Yeeeees Mom, I am
finishing it right now!” You peek around the corner only to find the TV on, dim lighting,,
and your student plopped on the couch, eyes glazed over, half asleep, but sincerely
holding on to that vocabulary list or calculator, as if trying to channel the information into
their mind. If your student isn’t quite old enough to realize the comfort that comes with
studying this way, careful, it’s probably coming. If this scene is indeed familiar to you, don’
t worry. It’s familiar to many families all across the country. The problem is that most
students are never taught the practical and necessary study skills required to succeed in
studying, test taking, and retention.
While there are many issues we could raise with this scene, we’re going to discuss what’s
probably the most overlooked study skill that will help your student improve the way they
study, and in turn improve the way they perform in school, setting a study environment.
The most obvious problem with our student’s study habits is that it, in no way-shape-or-
form, mimics that of their test-taking environment. Your memory uses triggers to recall
information, whether it is words, pictures or noises our minds naturally make mental
associations between information intake and the environment in which it is taken. It’s
similar to when you hear a song that makes you remember high school, or see a painting
that reminds you of a vacation you once took. You never purposely made those
connections; your brain did it automatically. It’s the same with studying.
Many students will put forth an effort to actually make triggers in order to remember
information, like using acronyms or word associations. But there are many of other
connections our minds make and we don’t even realize it.
Studies have shown that if students could study in the exact environment that they test
in, performance would rise drastically. Why? It’s because our minds remember
environment. Using this information, we can deduce that if in class you are sitting up
straight, at a desk, with no distracting noises or voices, this is how you should study.
While it is very rare to be able to study in the exact same environment you take tests in,
every effort should be made to make it as close as possible. This may mean turning off
the television, sitting at a table or desk instead of sitting on the couch, and even turning
off the television. (Unless music is classical, which has shown to be beneficial when
played softly in the background, music should be omitted too.)
Improving your study environment can almost guarantee better performance. Sometimes
the smallest effort to improve any aspect of studying, whether it be environment or
something else, can make al the difference on test day and even contribute to
remembering it long after.
There are hundreds, if not thousands, of books written on study skills, promising
improved performance. Chances are each and every one has something good to say,
but all the books and tips in the world can’t help a student that studies in front of the
television eating cookies. So often all we need is that small incremental step in the right
direction to drastically improve results in the end. It’s much more effective to attempt
small or practical study goals. Improving your study environment is a seemingly common
sense improvement, but is overlooked by many parents. By making this effort you will be
setting your student on a track for improved study habits that will stay with them and yield
results for years to come.
About The Author
Roger Seip is a nationally known memory trainer. He has helped thousands of students
across the country improve their memory as well as study habits.
His new program, The Student’s Winning Edge - Memory Training, teaches students how
to train their memory to study more effectively and get better grades. For more
information on how your student can have a more powerful memory visit http://www.
memorytrainingforstudents.com or email info@memorytrainingforstudents.com.