In the “work-from-home” age of the pandemic, with most classes being held virtually at home or in your dorm room, it’s easy to find your desk overflowing with clutter. However, now that spring has sprung and finals are around the corner, it’s important to find time to clear your workspace of the various books, stationary, and even water bottles piling up at your desk.
According to a 2010 study published in the scientific journal Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, women who described their workspaces as “cluttered” were more likely to be depressed than women who described their homes as “restful” and “restorative.” And, according to another study conducted by Indiana University, those who kept their homes clean were healthier and more active than those who didn’t.
Having a clean, organized desk can help you stay motivated as you tackle the rest of the semester. Virtual classes can be tough, but it’s easier to complete assignments successfully with a tidy, comfortable workspace, especially now when students are learning directly from their computer screens.
Matthew Goranites, a sophomore business administration student, described the workspace he has been utilizing since the shift to virtual classes a year ago. “My desk right now is slightly messy—definitely messier because of doing classes at home,” he said. “It’s usually cluttered in the middle of the week, as that’s when I do most of my work. I try to declutter it at the end of each weekend to prepare myself for the new week to come.”
Dedicating a specific time on Friday to cleaning your workspace is an effective way to ensure that you enter the weekend with an organized mindset, which will set you up for success while also decreasing any anxiety that can build up from a stressful week.
Goranites also noted the importance of keeping a decluttered space when completing assignments. “Your room is a reflection of yourself,” he said. “By keeping your desk organized, your objectives for the day are clear. If your desk is out of order, you may find yourself unfocused on the tasks at hand. Staying organized is what helps me minimize the amount of stress I encounter each day and may help others as well.”
PHOTO TAKEN by Melissa Badamo
