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You did all the necessary work for the exam – made notes, studied well beforehand, slept well and even revised three times before the exam. But still, you scored below your expectations. Well, you might be surprised at who’s to blame here, beyond your study habits. A new study from the University of South Australia and Deakin University has uncovered a bizarre connection between academic performance and architecture. The study shows how the design of a space can affect task performance. Students perform relatively worse when they take their exams in large rooms with high ceilings.
High ceilings won’t let you break the glass ceiling
The researchers assessed more than 15,400 undergraduate students over eight years at different university campuses. They took into account students’ differences in previous academic performance and socio-economic status, age, gender and year of examination for a standardised analysis.
Virtual reality tests (VR) supported the findings, where participants were placed in different rooms while environmental stimuli such as noise and temperature were kept constant. Measurements of heart rate, breathing, and sweating were taken to understand their anxiety levels. In these VR experiments, the researchers observed that simply sitting in a large room made it difficult to concentrate and complete difficult tasks. They applied these findings to real-life situations and obtained similar results.
Also read: How to improve concentration: 10 tips to stay focused
A large space is not created for the examination
Large spaces have a sense of openness in their design. They are built for large gatherings, and are best suited for social activities like exhibitions, events, theatres and gymnasiums. But, this vastness of space affects cognitive performance, hindering attention and task execution. In Australia, India and many other countries, university and school examinations are held in large halls to reduce logistical costs.
The sheer size of the room, especially when it is unfamiliar, is exacerbated by its high ceilings. This can lead to anxiety, stress and feelings of insignificance. These overwhelming feelings can be distracting. Secondly, large indoor spaces are usually densely packed, seating more students than the space can accommodate. This leads to poor air circulation, which affects physical and mental health. The researchers called for a re-evaluation of these spaces. Examination halls should be modified to ensure students perform at their best, without any environmental distractions hampering their academic performance.
Also read: Moringa Tea or Green Tea: Which is Healthier?
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