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by Leonard Williams

When you’re getting ready to pass your GED, it’s important to make time to study, but it’s also important to have a good space to study in. Why? Because you need to be comfortable, and have as few distractions as possible, to concentrate on studying for the GED. How can you study for your GED if you’re hungry? Or if your chair is uncomfortable? Or if your friends are IM’ing you on chat all the time?

Finding the Right GED Study Space

Here are 10 tips for a great study space.

1. Choose a space that’s comfortable. Make sure your chair and desk are comfortable to sit and work at, and make sure your desk gives you enough workspace. Do you need some space to get up and stretch? Make sure you have it. Don’t give yourself an excuse to leave your GED study space.
2. Choose a space where you feel at home. You’ll want to feel at home…so feel free to decorate your study place with motivational pictures or posters. Keep some items there (photos, notes to yourself, notes from your family) to remind yourself of your goal, and congratulate yourself on what you’ve accomplished so far.
3. Choose a space that is quiet, or where you control the sound. Most people study best in a quiet area, either with no noise or with quiet music in the background. You might need more noise, or no noise, or even white noise, like the TV turned to an empty channel. Find out what works for you, but make sure you can control the level of noise in your study space. You might want to choose a study time when there isn’t a lot of noise.
4. Choose a space that is distraction-free. Don’t keep toys or games at your desk, and turn off any internet messaging software or other computer programs that might distract you.
5. Choose a space where you can be alone. You might make a sign: “No interruptions please! GED studying!” Leave your cell phone in the other room…and turn off the ringer.
6. Choose a space that’s always accessible. You can’t study if someone else is on the phone in your workspace, or getting a snack at your desk. Your workspace should by your space…someplace that’s always open to you when you need it. If you schedule regular study time every day, you can make sure that your study space is off limits to everyone else during that time.
7. Choose a space with everything that you need. Your GED study place should have a computer, your GED study materials, a study plan for you to track your progress, paper, pencils, pens, a dictionary, a calculator…anything you need for your studying.
8. Choose a space where you can be organized. Keep your materials where you can get at them easily, but where they don’t make a lot of clutter. You might want to go to an office supply store and buy some inexpensive organizers to keep your materials in.
9. Choose a space that’s well-lit. Make sure you have a lamp at your desk, or good light coming in from a window. A well-lit area will keep you awake and able to focus, and it will cut down on eye strain, especially if you’re reading.
10. Choose a space that’s just the right temperature. If you’re uncomfortable, you can’t concentrate on studying. If you’re too hot or too cold, you’re making it harder to get your GED. If you need a space heater in the winter, or a fan in the summer, make sure that you’ve got one in your study space.

Make your study space comfortable and inviting. It will help you keep to your GED study schedule, and it will help you study more effectively and learn more quickly.

For more information about the GED test and GED test preparation, visit The GED Academy at www.passGED.com.