It’s easy to find the right temperature when you’re relaxing. But what about the best temperature for studying that won’t break your concentration? Research indicates that temperature can play a role in unsatisfactory test scores.
Finding the perfect temp when hitting the books could be a little tricky since the temp is one adjustment out of many that you may need to keep you focused. Be sure that there aren’t other distractions breaking away your concentration. It could be social media apps on your smartphone, loud music, or even an empty stomach. Once you’re sure that the temp is a primary issue, here’s what you can do.
Best Temperature for Studying
Finetune your Air Conditioning
Air conditioning plays a pivotal role when studying. There are ducted, window, and dustless aircons sold. Each of them has their advantages but generally perform well at keeping indoor temps stable when working, lounging, or sleeping.
Nevertheless, studying is a lot different than sleeping. The average comfortable sleeping temperature ranges from the high 60s to the low 70s. During study time, the numbers are a bit more refined. The best temperature for studying shouldn’t exceed 71.6 degrees. Anything lower than 69.8 degrees is edging towards too chilly. However, uncertain factors in these numbers can arise when the following conditions are present
- High and Low Humidity – Place someone in a room that’s slightly warm but dry versus another that’s hot and humid, and the humid room will quickly make them irritable. Heat and moisture do not blend well in a studying environment, neither a sleeping one, for the matter. But if the humidity is too low, things like dry mouth, itchy, watery eyes, and a stuffy nose can also prevent you from focusing on your study material. When moisture is a problem, try a humidifier and adjust it according to the manual. A humidity level between 40 and 50-percent is good for an indoor temp of 71 degrees.
- Airborne Particulates – Regulating your study environment’s humidity is a good way to clear out airborne particulates. Another is by regularly changing out the filters from your aircon unit. Remember, the air you breathe in is coming from outside and must be clean before entering the ducts. If you haven’t done so already, check your HVAC filters, either replacing them if they’re disposable or wiping away any buildup.
- Drafts – When viewing your morning and afternoon local news program, you might have heard the term “wind chill” used quite often, especially in the winter months. But did you know that the same effect can happen indoors? Wind chill is essentially the sensation experienced when cooler air comes into contact with warmer air around the body. So a gust of wind in 50-degree weather can make it feel ten degrees cooler. For the best temperature for studying, turn off any nearby fans and close windows if the draft results in you getting chills.
Keep your Study Area Distraction-Free
Just as a flower blooms best when it’s provided the right amount of sunlight and water, studying is most rewarding when the area is prepared to heighten attentiveness. You want a studying temperature that’s neutral enough to keep your mind off the air conditioner and on your research!