As November begins, we are reminded of the ever-growing list of things to do in preparation for the end of the semester. There are research papers, projects, presentations, and tests to study for in addition to daily assignments, quizzes, and smaller papers. All of these academic tasks add up to spending a lot of time in the library, in front of the computer, or at your personal desk. One of the most important things to keep in mind as you do is how your posture will affect your productivity. Although this might surprise you, your posture is one of the most important things to keep in mind as you spend endless hours sitting in the coming month.

To sit at a desk with correct posture, begin with your feet flat on the floor. Sit with your back straight. If you let your lower back round out, that will cause back pain within a few hours. If you sit with a curved lower back for too long, you could pinch a nerve and cause pain not only in your back but all the way through your legs as well. Your shoulders should be down and relaxed and your head (surprisingly!) should be upright. Try to avoid situations that force you to look down for long periods of time. If you have to, prop your book up so you can look straight ahead at it. This opens up your chest and releases tension from your neck, allowing for more relaxed, even, deep, and efficient breathing. This increases the flow of oxygen to the brain, which in turn helps you remember what you’re studying!

Although it might seem strange at first, this will allow more comfort for you, increasing the amount of time you can study without pain and greatly improving your focus.