Studying, notetaking, and doing schoolwork at home is rarely an easy time, but when you get in the right mood, sometimes it just works perfectly. That assignment you’ve been putting off flows right off your fingers, and the test you’ve got tomorrow suddenly seems like no big deal.
In some cases, this good mood all comes down to your environment – you study better when you feel cosy, comfy and psyched (or at least ready) to get some work done, with everything you might need to help you study right there at your fingertips.
What exactly it takes to boost your studying will be a little different for everyone, but there are a number of things which people swear by, and for good reason.
Read on to see our list of best products to help you study by making sure you’re alert, awake and comfortable.
AUSTRALIAN UNI STUDY ESSENTIALS
Make studying easier (and more comfortable) with these handy products. Take a look at this quick list, or just scroll down to see why we picked what we did – as well as our favourite runner-ups!
- Best headphones: Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones
- Best desk furniture: Trax Desk Lamp
- Best tech accessory: Lenovo Go Wireless Vertical Mouse
- Best scented candle: Peppermint Grove Australia Lemongrass and Lime Large Soy Candle 370g
- Best drink: Vittoria Coffee Espresso Coffee Bags
- Best stationery: Mystique – Midi Lined Notebook
- Best comfy hooded blanket: Lazy Sloth Oodie
- Best desk essential: Urban Outfitters Cat Computer Wrist Rest
1. Best Headphones: Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones
There’s nothing worse than when you sit down, pull out your notes and get ready to get some work done with your favourite low-fi study playlist… only for your headphones to be broken. Or worse, have them not drown out the noise of your housemate watching TV in the next room!
Sturdy, noise-cancelling headphones are a must for any student, and if you’re looking for peace and quiet with an extra helping of comfort and convenience, the WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones from Sony have it all.
Not only do they use adaptive sound control so you can study in peace no matter where you are or what’s happening around you, they’re also quick to charge and have multi-point a Bluetooth connection – meaning you can pair them with your laptop to watch a video, and still have them connect when your phone rings.
Those working with a limited budget might appreciate the JBL Tune 710 headphones instead, which have a comfortable design, great sound quality and an amazing 50-hour battery life. And best of all, they won’t break the bank.
Neither quite your thing? We’ve got you covered with this list of the best headphones in Australia in 2024, so you can pick the pair that suits you, your studies, and your budget.
2. Best Desk furniture: Trax Desk Lamp
All you really need to study is some type of chair and maybe a table, but if you want to really maximise your learning, it’s worth getting some extra furniture. That way, you and your study space will be completely ready to get some work done.
Making sure you have enough lighting to actually read your scribbled notes without squinting is the place to start, and this Trax Desk Lamp is an ideal, no-nonsense inclusion to any desk. It’s a classic design, can be angled to shine wherever you need, and comes in silvery brushed chrome, dark gunmetal grey or glowing antique brass – which all adds up to make it ideal for someone looking to keep the lights on.
If you want a statement piece as well as a useful desk feature, then you need to check out this charming pair of kangaroo and koala gold lamps, which are perfect for studying in style.
As a more creative touch on your little study, consider a pinboard where you can really spread out your thoughts. This Tenby Pinboard is of a good size and comes in both grey and blue, making it the perfect place to pin all your essay plans, doodles and motivational photos.
3. Best tech accessory: Lenovo Go Wireless Vertical Mouse
Good tech is also a crucial part of good studying. You’ve probably already got your favourite PC, laptop or tablet, but there are plenty of other tech accessories which can prove helpful when studying for long periods of time.
Using a proper mouse instead of a laptop trackpad is a good idea if you want to protect your hands while studying for hours upon hours. The Lenovo Essential USB mouse is nothing fancy, but it provides a comfortable grip and is easy to use, making it a great choice for a university student who just needs the essentials.
But if you want something truly ergonomic, try out the Lenovo Go Wireless Vertical Mouse, which features a design that puts your hand in a rather unusual position for a mouse – but a more natural pose for your hand to aid your posture and productivity.
Having a stand to put your laptop or phone on can also be really helpful. It might not be quite as high-tech an option, but it puts it in just the right position to read or watch while you take your notes – without needing to bend down and put your neck at a weird tilt which is going to be uncomfortable after a while.
This no-nonsense Silver Foldable Aluminium Mobile Phone and Tablet Stand is a versatile piece of equipment, providing steady support for your phone or tablet while allowing you to swivel it to any angle for the optimum viewing experience – whether you’re watching a lecture or just YouTube videos.
For laptop users, they also offer an Aluminium Tablet and Laptop Stand with Carrying Pouch which is just as nice.
4. Best scented candle: Peppermint Grove Australia Lemongrass and Lime Large Soy Candle 370g
Getting into the mood to study at your best can be about creating the right atmosphere for focus and calm alertness – and a good scented candle is all about the atmosphere.
This Lemongrass and Lime soy candle has an invigorating and refreshing fragrance, helping you, your room and your study plan all freshen up at once. At 370g, it’s also a nice large size, so you can study all night long with this heavenly scent or use it for study session after study session. Just make sure you don’t put it too close to any important paper notes.
This scent also comes in a smaller version, and as a diffuser, and if you love this brand they also make a bunch of different candles and diffusers in a range of delectable scents.
If you wish your studies would take you to the seaside, the Oceanique Scented Soy Candle is an ode to the ocean breeze with a fresh, warm scent which will keep you relaxed and as happy as a clam while you write notes. And that assignment you’ve left to the last minute.
5. Best drink: Vittoria Coffee Espresso Coffee Bags
You’ve been at uni or at work all day, and you’re tired. But you have a study plan to stick to. Well, sounds like you might need a drink to put that pep back into your step and wake up enough to get some productive studying done.
Fresh and powerful, there’s a reason coffee is known as the university student drink of choice. When it comes to classic Aussie coffee, Vittoria is sure to pep you up with a great taste and offers both beans and ground coffee.
But if you’re not a coffee snob and just want a deliciously simple blend to get you through the day, Vittoria’s iconic espresso coffee bags offer the flavour and aroma of a barista-made drink in a more convenient (and let’s face it, probably cheaper too) package. The really lazy (like me) will also appreciate their classic original instant coffee for a nice, quick drink that’ll perk you up and let you get back to studying in a moment – just don’t tell the coffee snobs I told you that.
If you’re a true coffee connoisseur, then the quirky and cute flavoured coffees of Chamberlain Coffee are another great option. Offering a range of coffee beans as well as bags for cold brew, there’s a coffee for everyone there – with their early bird light roast being a real wake-up call for an early morning study session.
Not really into coffee? Tea can be an excellent way to get in the study mood as well, perfect for sipping as you read that absurdly low-quality PDF file the lecturer wants you to look at before tomorrow’s in-class discussion. And you can pair it with a cute teapot if you want to go all the way and really embrace the tea-drinking aesthetic.
Whether you need to wake up after a long day or calm your mind into a state of pure focus, T2 Tea has the right tea for you. With such a wide variety of different teas, it’s hard to pick a favourite, but for studying we particularly recommend the classic French Earl Grey blend, or the caffeine-free The Quiet Mind herbal blend for a more serene study session. Just don’t get so relaxed you fall asleep.
6. Best stationery: Mystique – Midi Lined Notebook
There’s something satisfying about writing all your notes in a notebook, bringing out the highlighters and sticky notes – and then finding it way easier to go back over them later. Now, maybe using a fancy notebook won’t magically make your studying any better than it would’ve been if you’d put your notes in a plain one, but it definitely feels like it helps.
And I really do feel like I’d be studying better with this Mystique – Midi Lined Notebook, which looks more like a tome containing dark secrets than my lecture notebook. With 240 pages and that gorgeous ornate cover, I can’t imagine it wouldn’t help you embrace academia just a little.
Kikki K is also always a great option for cute notebooks and has a wide variety of styles and sizes to suit any student. We’re particularly fond of the Sidewalk Notebook Lined B5, which is the perfect medium size to store all your notes without being bulky. It even comes in a few different styles, so you can get one for each subject!
Want to make it clear this notebook belongs to you? These elegant a4 notebooks have gold foil embossed complimentary monogramming, so you can really live out your dreams of well-organised academia and pretend you’re studying at Oxford. There’s also a smaller version in tan.
And if you just need a place to jot down your notes and do not care at all about appearances, if all else fails there’s always the classic Spirax notebook. It’s nothing fancy, but it’s divided into three sections, with 300 lined and perforated pages, so it does the job just fine.
7. Best comfy hooded blanket: Lazy Sloth Oodie
Making sure you’re nice and comfortable by snuggling up into a big, fluffy blanket or jumper is a great way to start off your study plan – after all, it’s not like you can concentrate on your work when you’re too cold to hold a pencil!
For those who can only study in the cosiest conditions, a hooded blanket is the only option. Oodie hooded blankets are an iconic pick for a reason, oversized and deliciously warm, and are made with high-quality materials. As a fun bonus sure to put a pep in your studying, they also come in a variety of styles, with super cute prints. We particularly love the classic lazy sloth Oodie – even if the idea is that you won’t be quite as lazy as all that.
But if you’re not into sloths, and you’re feeling a little overwhelmed by the number of choices, we’ve compiled a list of the best hooded blankets in Australia to help you decide which one is right for you!
Oodies can get pretty pricy though, so if you’re not into them but do want to stay toasty in a hooded blanket while you write your notes, you can also get one from a variety of alternative stores, including Royal Comfort, D & H, Gominimo and more.
8. Best desk essential: Urban Outfitters Cat Computer Wrist Rest
Studying for long periods of time, staring at a screen for ages and taking a frankly absurd amount of notes can take its toll on your body. So, make sure you outfit yourself – and your desk – so your study sessions are productive without putting any strain on yourself.
If you want to look after your overworked hands while you study, the humble wrist wrest is a great place to start. For an option which looks great and is easy to keep clean without compromising on price, Urban Outfitters has an utterly adorable wrist wrest which looks just like a little cat sleeping at your desk!
More of a dog person? Urban Outfitters also has hot dog and fries wrist wrests. Although, while they’ll help you study in comfort, they might also make you a little hungry…
They say a tidy desk is a tidy mind, and while that may not be always true, desk storage is another essential if you want to boost your studies. It allows you to keep your notes handy when you need them and tidy them away when you don’t.
These simple desk drawers are a great option which is low on cost but high on space. Whether you’re storing paper notes, stationary or all those highlighters you bought and never ended up actually using, they’ll neaten up your desk up in a flash. They also come in white and soft pink, so you can choose the one that best matches your aesthetic.
Prefer your stuff where you can see it? Anko has a range of bamboo desk organisers which will get the job done for the lowest price possible – like this one which comes with space for folders or binders, or this one which is the perfect size for storing flashcards and mid-sized notepads.
STUDY TIPS AND TRICKS
Studying can be pretty tricky at times, especially when you’re currently going through a difficult course or a boring subject. Here are some things to consider when you’re studying, or getting ready to study, so you can make your study session better.
- Get comfortable: It’s hard to study when you’re feeling too cold, or too hot, or hungry, or just plain uncomfortable. Before you sit down to study, make sure you’re ready to go and feel good about it. This could involve wearing comfy clothes or choosing a good chair.
- Pick the right space: Just because you can study wherever doesn’t always mean you should. Try and study in a space which encourages good work and focus, preferably somewhere quiet with plenty of light to read, and with enough space for all your stuff.
- Get what you need: Whether you study with a laptop and nothing else, or half a dozen notebooks plus all your favourite stationary, make sure you’re ready to go from the moment you sit down. Have all your study needs close by, so you don’t need to get up and disturb your learning halfway through a study session.
- Protect your body: When you study for a long time, you can really feel the effects – from sore necks and eyes to fatigue. Try out some ergonomic furniture and study with plenty of light at a proper desk if this is a concern, and make sure to take plenty of breaks where possible.
STUDY ESSENTIALS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do I study better?
Unfortunately, there’s no one answer to that question – what helps one person study at their best might be less effective for another. Making sure you’re in a comfortable place and have everything you need in easy reach is a good place to start, and if you want to further boost your effectiveness, you can ask your friends and teachers, organise a group study session or try new techniques like study planners or the Pomodoro study method. There are also apps and programs designed to help you study, or make and stick to a study schedule, plus plenty of products to help with the more tedious aspects. Try a few things out and see what works for you!
What equipment do I need to study at university?
Just like high school – and primary school too, for that matter – items like notebooks, pens and other stationery are often study essentials, as well as tech like computers and laptops. Most universities will let you know if there are other essentials for your course, like textbooks or special equipment, so make sure to check with your teachers. When it comes to studying at home, we recommend considering some of the things in this guide.
How can I focus 100% on studying?
Removing distractions from your workspace and getting into the right mindset can help you focus better while you study. Some people also find listening to music to be helpful for their focus.
Do I need ergonomic furniture to study?
You can study anywhere, at any time, but using ergonomic furniture can be helpful in preventing strain or uncomfortableness if you want to study for long periods of time.