A student’s living space can be a source of added stress or a place for relaxation and well-being. Feng Shui can help you use your small dorm or study room to your advantage while enhancing your well-being and motivation to study. If you think that Feng Shui is unimportant, you will be surprised to know that 70% of house-buyers in Taiwan would actually not buy property that has issues with Feng Shui. So, you may want to consider spending some time organizing your space accotrding to this ancient practice. Here are some quick tips on how to harness its ancient practices to put you on track for easing your studies this semester.
1. Clear the Clutter for Mental Clarity
Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese practice aimed at harmonizing man with his environment through the appropriate placement of objects and spaces in the surrounding world. One of the fundamentals of Feng Shui has to do with the flow of energy, or chi, and nothing blocks its flow like clutter. As said by a Feng Shui expert Laura Staley, “Too many things in too small a space cut off flow, block creativity, and bury beauty, much like a bad cold can make it hard to breathe.” If you’re in a funk with scattered thoughts, having a clear space will help. It’s doubly important for people with a lot of work ahead, such as students, who need to be able to focus. Students who feel unfocused often research, “Who can write my essay?” because they feel unable to perform on top of their abilities. This can be a solution, but learners must still work toward creating an inducive environment that will help them study better, and Feng Shui can help with that.
To boost your study space with Feng Shui, do the following:
- Organize and prioritize. First, sort through your belongings. Keep what you need for studying and toss out everything else.
- Group items with containers. Keep pens, notebooks, and other supplies in bins, boxes, or drawers. Make sure to label them.
- Digital spring cleaning. File digital photos and other files in folders, and unsubscribe from email lists. 20. Review bills and bank statements for errors.
- Ritual Maintenance. Get into the habit of putting your classroom in order once each time you log off so that clutter doesn’t re-form overnight.
- Minimise décor. Make sure there are minimal decorative items. There can be a few items that inspire you but do not overcrowd your workspace.
2. Position Your Desk Powerfully
In Feng Shui, your desk position can be the reason you flunk out of school or graduate cum laude. Put your desk in a ‘command position’, which is usually defined as facing the door but not in a direct line with it. It makes you feel safe because you can see anyone coming in, but that travel line is blocked by your desk, so you won’t be scared or surprised. And if you can, you want a solid wall behind you so it anchors you. Spiraling away from people can also happen in a dorm room if there isn’t a solid wall behind your head. In that case, you can put a mirror behind you, so you can still see that entrance from your desk. This way, you’ll be more focused and alert when doing your academics. You can also use a great helper for students to propel your education forward. Use all the means you can to make studying easier and more efficient for you as a student.
3. Use Color Wisely to Influence Mood
Colors are probably one of the most important features of Feng Shui: they impact emotions and, ultimately, how we behave. For the public, working, or study spaces, calming colors such as blue and green are favourable because they help with concentration and decrease stress. Blue is relaxing because its tone soothes the mind, perfect for periods of intense study. Green stimulates feelings of harmony and balance and reduces eye fatigue when looking at a computer screen for long periods of time. Colors such as red and orange are vibrant hues that, when used in excessive amounts, could lead to anxiety and distractibility.
4. Incorporate Living Elements to Boost Vitality
Infusing a touch of nature into a space is one of the most powerful ways to heighten its energy. And you can do it super quickly and easily. Here’s how:
| Element | Instruction | PlantSuggestion |
| Desk Plants | Place a potted plant on your desk to inject some life and freshness into your workspace. | Small plants like bamboo or succulents |
| Hanging Planters | Utilize vertical space by installing hanging planters near windows. | Ideal for herbs or trailing plants like ivy |
| Window Boxes | If you have limited floor space, window boxes are a great option for growing flowers directly in front of your windows. | Depends on where your window is facing. Plants have varying lighting preferences. |
| Large Floor Plants | Add a large potted plant in a corner of the room to make a bold green statement and improve air quality. | Fiddle leaf figs, palm trees, Monstera, Japanese maple |
| Bonus! | Don’t like plants? Add a small desktop fountain or pictures of landscapes to simulate the calming effect of nature in compact areas. | |
5. Lighting Matters: Illuminate Your Way to Success
Factors such as appropriate lighting are important, too – if you’re studying, you’ll likely be sitting at your desk for hours. Use natural light when possible, as it can keep you feeling positive and energized. If your space isn’t particularly well-endowed with large windows, make sure you have plenty of artificial light. Good study areas combine general, task, and accent lighting to produce a balanced, cheery look. Avoid harsh fluorescent bulbs – set your lighting to a warmer tone with adjustable brightness so you can turn it down when you’re working on the computer, helping to keep you on-task longer and minimizing the strain on your eyes.
Cultivating Calm in the Campus Chaos
The good news is, bringing Feng Shui to your student zone goes beyond interior décor fixes – it’s about creating a stimulating, invigorating environment, a space that can help alleviate stresses that are inevitable when you’re a student. Small but cumulative fixes, from tidying up to the correct positioning of your desk, can all contribute to peace of mind, and clarity of thought, helping you get the most from each study session. Adopting these Feng Shui tips will help you personalize your space, turning it into a study haven.
Author: Sarah Sloan
Sarah is an educator, a yogi, and a passionate Feng Shui practitioner. She loves educating her students on the benefits of Feng Shui for their college life and general well-being. Her goal is to guide learners on how they can improve their performance through mindful practices.