Set teens up in a calming place
IT’S school time again. For teenage students, this can be when study truly starts getting serious – and stressful. Parents can help their teenagers by creating a calming space for study at home.
Whether the homework zone is a shared area in the kitchen or a corner of their own bedroom, there are a number of ways to take the tension out of study time.
In a recent survey on mental health and study by Headspace, a non-profit organisation supporting the mental health of young Australians, 83.2 per cent of high school and tertiary students said they were feeling stressed, 79 per cent felt anxious, 82.1 per cent lacked energy and 55.6 per cent had trouble sleeping.
In addition to preparing a study plan, openly communicating with others, eating well and exercising, Headspace says students need a study space that is comfortable, quiet, well organised and without distractions.
Carolyn Mccallum, who has recently seen her teenagers go through final exams, says the best job a parent can do is keep the kids hydrated, WE WANT make sure their down time doesn’t involve too much screen time and resist nagging.
“As a feng shui master I was also able to ensure they had their desk in favourable energy specifically associated with academic achievement and sat and slept in a favourable direction,” Carolyn says. “Ensuring the house had excellent feng shui provided them with additional support.”
The head of public health at Bupa, Dr Zoe Wainer, says a comfortable and functional environment in which to study will set teens up for better work-life balance in future.
“Sitting for hours on end at school and at home can place students at risk of developing stiff muscles, weight gain and negatively affect their mood,” she says. “Encouraging your children to take regular breaks to stretch and exercise their muscles, spend time outside or even study standing up for short periods can help reduce these risks and encourage healthy study habits.”
Get organised
Today’s students might have less paperwork and fewer textbooks, but technology can still get messy.
“Cable management solutions are essential to keep any study space decluttered and organised,” says Shona Jackson from Ikea. “It’s easy for cords and cables to create mess, particularly in small spaces.”
Wireless charging solutions are also a great option to help reduce cables and cords.
“The use of shelving or pegboards helps organise those belongings that might otherwise end up on the floor or the desk,” Jackson says.
“Finding space for a permanent study area can be difficult, so it’s important to use furniture that lets you easily convert any area into a comfortable and effective work space.”
Smart set-up
When studying in communal areas, devices such as laptop supports are essential. Clayton Driessen from Beacon Lighting says for study in multipurpose spaces like kitchen counters and dining tables, consider both the task and ambient light by placing downlights and spotlights to illuminate zones appropriately.
“Using tuneable colour LED technology in a multipurpose space allows us to set the perfect light colour and intensity to suit individual needs,” he says. “Choose a bright coolwhite intensity for a focused space or a softer light for a quiet read.”