Feng shui is making the grade

NEPHI -- Olivia Creps, a junior at Juab High School, studies in her purple room using a pencil as opposed to the pen she has used all day. She's surrounded by stacks of papers. She's enjoying the soft background music.

Creps may be unaware of the ways in which her choice of room, her tendency to allow papers to stack up -- and even her choice of writing utensil -- could influence the success of her study time. Today many students are unaware of their daily use of feng shui.

Feng shui (pronounced fung schway) is the Chinese art of manipulating and arranging your surroundings to attract positive life energy, also known as "chi." Meaning "wind" and "water," feng shui is an ancient practice associated with prosperity, as the Chinese were dependent upon the wind and water for good crops.

Today, feng shui is a technique principally used in decorating and house design -- but it may be used in any aspect of life. Those who practice it say it directly affects fortune, health and happiness.

Organization is a critical aspect of using feng shui with homework, because studying so extensively depends on the organization and placement of one's surroundings to stimulate the flow of positive chi. Disorganization causes stress and distractions.

Pendaflex, a manufacturer of organizational solutions and promoter of feng shui, recently sent out a press release to advise labeling, filing and color-coding. Designating a color for each class is a simple way to do this.

Students can use colored folders and files to separate assignments and mark the corners of papers with a highlighter for quick identification.

Studies by Pendaflex indicate that color-coding decreases the time spent looking for papers by up to 50 percent. Using binders, drawers and folders is also encouraged. No less than half of the desk used for studying should be visible.

Experts say that organization can help with systematic studying, which may allow students to retain information longer. And whether or not they call it feng shui, some Juab High students are practicing it.

Mavanie Stanley, a junior at Juab High, uses a repetitious writing technique for help with memorization. Rocky Keith, a senior, describes his process: "When I study, I skim through everything the night we get it. Then, the night before we're supposed to take the test, I thoroughly study everything."

A specific area should be dedicated to studying, and studying only. Places that teens associate with socialization can too easily cause distractions. Concentration will be better if the only association of the chosen place is with studying because, experts say, chi flows more smoothly with consistency. Further distractions to be eliminated: telephones, cell phones and instant messaging. Experts say that thoughts not associated with current assignments should be written down on a reminder pad and saved for later. Efficient studying requires 100 percent commitment through keeping the energies of education and sociality separate.

Certified feng shui consultant Debbie DeSprit ("Your Guide to Feng Shui" at fengshui.about.com) explains how the placement of furniture is also key to inviting positive chi into the study area. Putting a chair in the "power position," against a wall instead of facing one, secures a command of space. This eliminates distractions. Instead of turning around to see the doorway, students can simply raise their eyes.

DeSprit stresses the importance of color in attracting negative or positive energies. She explains that blues and greens are soothing, inspiring and calming and are great for the overwhelmed student. Red delivers confidence and power with overall energy. Yellow is the preferred color intellectually, and lawyers use it with good reason, DeSprit says. The yellow hue of legal pads supplies creativity, clarity and discipline, as well as focusing the mind.

Many students find listening to instrumental music helpful. But lyrics can be distracting. Jordan Guillory, a senior at Juab, says, "Usually I like to go into my room and listen to classical music and then I'll go over my notes and quiz myself on them. I like to listen to classical music because it drones everything else out and kind of relaxes me."

Creps agrees, explaining that she is so used to the sounds of a classroom that she can't function without some kind of background noise.

Seeking organization is an innate characteristic of humans, and even teens are discovering that flexible organization leads to creativity. Feng shui is a way for students to design their environment to facilitate ultimate productivity -- and possibly even gain fortune, health and happiness in education.

Caitlin Holladay is a senior at Juab High School and a member of the Deseret Morning News Pulse team of high school writers. If you are a Utah high school student and have a topic you would like to see covered, please e-mail pulse@desnews.com or write to Susan Whitney at the Deseret Morning News.

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