The worst thing that can happen is a bad classroom. Oppressively bland paint jobs, mind-numbingly boring monologues, agitatingly noisy AC units—all little things that make it dangerously close to impossible to concentrate. Suddenly, the thirty-question study guide adds weights to your eyelids, and that math packet is the least of your worries when your brain is already halfway home. Some assignments can only get done with a snack at hand, complete control of the playlist, or maybe a few friends to run ideas and thoughts by.

The best learning gets done in safe spaces. At school, this usually translates best to table groups. Facing and collaborating with other students makes the workload less daunting, not to mention how much easier it feels to talk to teachers that way. Comfort is especially important because who wants to learn in a stiff, hard chair? A little flexibility goes a long way in the classroom. On-task behavior increases by about 89% among kids with the freedom to move around their environment. It avoids the restlessness and boredom that come with sitting still for hours on end, zoning out, and practically counting the minutes. It was deemed highly likely that “letting students have the option could boost their sense of autonomy and help them focus.” Most classrooms are evolving, getting better at meeting these needs with time. While many classrooms still organize themselves in rows to prioritize individual work, multiple seating arrangements have proven effective, including clusters and large-group circles.

Many key factors go into creating a solid, focused mindset, and one of those is simply the lighting and temperature. A study of students’ surroundings found that “students learning in naturally lit environments typically achieve grades that are 25% higher than those in dimly lit classrooms.” A large majority of the classrooms at Santiago have windows, though it’s not uncommon to find them covered or facing a shaded area with no outside stimulus. While it makes sense to minimize the distractions of the outside world, it’s also a choice between the benefits of sunlight and stripping the environment of things that may draw a student’s attention. Just the lighting of a room can go as far as reducing the anxiety and stress someone may feel while working or testing. This is also why doing homework feels so much more productive in an outdoor setting or by a window, where you can set your own pace.

Classrooms have undoubtedly come a long way in learner-friendliness compared to the traditional style, with fewer thought-provoking details on the walls and warm little additions to the room. Of course, learning is different for everyone. Some may benefit from background noise and bright colors, while others may thrive in a silent setting with no possible distractions to pull them from their work. Overall, it’s important to know your preferences and what makes it easiest for you personally to make information stick in your head.