Essential Desk Accessories for All Online Students

Picking Out the Right Desk

First is the desk itself. You may be tempted to make do with less here, perhaps just try to borrow the kitchen or dining room table when it's not otherwise in use. But don't sell yourself short! Being an online student takes hard work and good organization, so it's an activity that deserves its own space.

The shape of your desk will depend on what type of computer you use, a big desktop machine or a smaller laptop. If you have a desktop computer, consider whether your desk should have a keyboard tray, as it may increase your comfort in the long run. The next thing to consider is not to skimp on the size of your desk. Even though you're an online student, you need space for more than just a computer. You'll need to refer to books and printouts, you may want to take notes on paper at times, and you definitely want a corner available for drinks and snacks so that going back and forth for those things doesn't become a distraction.

Location, Location, Location

What's the next thing to consider when it comes to your desk? There's a saying that the three most important things in real estate are location, location, location, and that should also be at the top of your list for the plot of land where you have your desk. The main thing to consider here is where you can put your desk that you won't suffer distractions and where no one else in your house will meddle with your workspace. For many people, studying and working effectively isn't just about having time, it's about uninterrupted time where your train of thought is safe from outside derailment. If you can't spare a separate room for it, and most people can't, you should consider placing your desk in your bedroom rather than a common area like a living room. If you think you don't have any space in your bedroom, consider converting a closet. This doesn't mean you seal yourself into the closet like it's a cave, it just means you have a place to cordon off your study activities. Search the Internet for “closet office” to see some examples of how this can work. Overall, though, remember that this is the time to be selfish! If you can avoid sharing your workspace, by all means find a way. Your productivity will thank you.

Lighting Isn't Just Important for Models

One of the more important yet less appreciated aspects of your workspace is the lighting that you have there. Daylight is nice, but for a workspace, it can mean that in the day you have glare that makes it difficult to see a screen, and at night you don't have enough light at all. If you can use a lamp that's not on your desk, you'll be able to see without using up valuable real estate. And make sure the light you use is right for you, some people prefer florescent light while others like old fashioned incandescent bulbs. And while you want to have sufficient light, you don't want it to be excessive – it's a workspace, not a runway.

The Important of a Good Chair

Just because you have a desk and a light doesn't mean you're done with furniture.

There's one more piece to pick up and it's a vitally important one – your chair. You may think you can just use an old chair you have somewhere. Don't do it! As an online student you'll be spending a lot of time in that chair, and you'll be better able to do that if you have one that's ergonomically friendly. You're going back to school to be the captain of your own destiny, and any Captain Kirk needs a great command chair!

The Finishing Touches

So, you finally have your workspace set up. What additional accessories could you use? The list is different for everyone, but there are a number of items you might consider:

• What motivates you? Are you going back to school to help take care of your family? Are you trying to set a good example for your kids? If this is one of your reasons, then even though you should insulate yourself from the family itself while you're studying, you may want to keep a photo of your family on your desk to remind you what it's all about. Similarly, if motivational posters work for you, put one up. Similraly, if you are religious, and something pertaining to that will help, add it!
• Report cards. Another motivator that can work for many people is evidence of previous success. Once you've gotten into the groove as a student, and have some good report cards to show for it, post them up! With those in view, you'll be reminded when times are tough that you really can do it.
• Drown out the circus. If despite your best efforts you have a lot of background noise that might keep you from finishing what you've set out to do, consider getting a white noise generator. You can find purpose-built machines for this that make the sound of ocean waves and other relaxing sounds, or you can just set up a fan. Worst case scenario, use headphones and play instrumental music while you study, but make sure it's not loud enough to damage your hearing.
• Separate calculator. All computers have calculator applications. But often, they're not as convenient to use as an old fashioned hand held calculator. If you'll be taking math courses, or if your study space doubles as the place where you pay your bills, you may want to have a hand held calculator in your desk drawer.
• Whiteboard. You may think that you can take all your notes on your computer, but there's nothing like a whiteboard in view for those high level reminders like when finals are coming or what major assignments are coming due. Some people prefer to use a corkboard for this, combined with index cards. Go with whichever one works for you.
• Desk organizer. You don't want to have too many items taking up space on your desk, but one of those desk organizers that has separate compartments for pens, markers, envelopes, small notepads, tape, and other items can be ideal for keeping everything you need on hand without it getting in your way.
• Book holder. Inevitably, as an online student you'll want to refer to something on screen at the same time as a book or set of notes on paper. Having a book holder, one of those clipboard-like devices that prop up a book on your desk, will make this much more easy.

Once you have your workspace the way you want it, remember to do a periodic audit of your desk area. If there's something you're not using, get rid of it! If there's something that you find you need, make a note on your whiteboard and take care of that need as soon as you can.

Keeping Your Focus

As a final tip, you may have minimized distractions, but as an online student you can't eliminate the biggest distraction of all — the Internet. You may find yourself clicking back and forth from your online classroom to your email, social networks, news sites, or other online distractions. To keep your mind focused on your true objective, consider printing this out and taping to the bottom of your monitor: “Is this really the best use of my time?” Ideally, if you ask yourself that enough, then good concentration habits will develop over time, and you'll make the most out of your optimized workspace.