As students, we meticulously optimise our environment for success. We seek out the perfect library spot, invest in noise-cancelling headphones, and curate playlists designed for focus. Yet, there is a critical, invisible factor in our study spaces and bedrooms that receives scant attention but has a demonstrable impact on cognitive function: the quality of the air we breathe. In the often-aged and poorly ventilated housing stock of Oxford, understanding and improving indoor air quality could be the missing piece in the academic performance puzzle.
The challenge is particularly acute in student accommodation. Older Victorian and Edwardian houses, converted into HMOs, often rely solely on draughty windows for ventilation, while modern purpose-built blocks can be so airtight that they trap pollutants inside. The result in both cases is often suboptimal: either a freezing room from an open window or a stuffy, stagnant atmosphere that impairs concentration.
The Cognitive Cost of Stale Air
The primary culprit in a stuffy study room is carbon dioxide (CO2). While not toxic at these levels, elevated CO2 is a direct indicator of poor ventilation. As we exhale, CO2 levels rise, and a growing body of research links this to a significant decline in cognitive ability.
A seminal study from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that when CO2 levels reached concentrations common in conventional buildings (around 945 ppm), participants’ cognitive function scores were 15% lower than when in environments with enhanced ventilation. When CO2 levels were raised further to 1,400 ppm—a level easily attainable in a small, occupied bedroom with the door and window closed—cognitive scores dropped by 50%. The functions most affected were crisis response, strategy, and information usage—precisely the skills needed for writing essays, solving complex problems, and revising for exams.
Beyond CO2, poor ventilation allows for the build-up of other pollutants. Dust mites thrive in humid conditions, and their droppings are a common allergen that can disrupt sleep and cause daytime fatigue. Mould, which grows readily in damp, poorly ventilated corners (often behind furniture pushed against cold external walls), releases spores that can trigger respiratory issues and headaches.
Identifying the Problem in Your Room
Before you can fix the air, you need to diagnose the issue. The signs are often subtle but telling.
- The Stuffiness Test: Does your room feel heavy, stale, or stuffy shortly after you close the window? This is the most immediate sensory clue.
- Persistent Condensation: Do you wake up to water on the inside of your windows? This is a clear sign of excess humidity and inadequate ventilation.
- Difficulty Concentrating: Do you find your mind wandering, feeling drowsy, or getting headaches after an hour or two of studying in your room? This could be a CO2-induced “brain fog.”
- lingering Odours: Do smells from last night’s cooking or this morning’s toast still linger hours later? This indicates stagnant air.
Practical Solutions for the Student Tenant
As tenants, our ability to install permanent systems is limited, but there are several effective and landlord-friendly strategies to take control of your air.
- Master the Art of Strategic Ventilation
Simply cracking a window is inefficient. The most effective method is “cross-ventilation.” Open windows on different sides of your room, or open your bedroom door and a window in another room to create a through-draught. A short, intense 10-15 minute burst of this, several times a day, is far more effective at flushing out stale air than leaving a single window slightly ajar all day. This is also more energy-efficient, as it minimises heat loss.
- Utilise and Maintain Existing Systems
Many rooms, even in older buildings, have background ventilation. Check for trickle vents at the top of your window frames—these small, adjustable slats are designed to provide a constant, low level of ventilation. Ensure they are open and not blocked by curtains or blinds.
If your room has extractor fans in the bathroom or kitchen, use them. Turn them on during and for at least 20 minutes after showering or cooking. Check that the exterior air vents are not blocked by leaves or debris, as this renders them useless. If a vent cover is damaged or missing, reporting it to your landlord is a reasonable request, as it protects the property from damp.
- Invest in a CO2 Monitor
For a data-driven approach, a simple, affordable CO2 monitor (available online for £50-£100) can be a revelation. It provides real-time feedback, showing you exactly when the air in your room is becoming stale and it’s time to open a window. This takes the guesswork out of ventilation.
- Supplementary Measures Houseplants: While their effect on CO2 is minimal, some plants can help remove specific airborne toxins. More importantly, their presence can improve perceived air quality and wellbeing.
Mindful Living: Avoid drying wet towels or clothes on radiators indoors, as this pumps litres of moisture into the air. Be cautious with aerosol sprays and strong chemical cleaners.
A University-Wide Responsibility
While individual action is powerful, the ultimate solution requires institutional commitment. Colleges and private accommodation providers should be encouraged to prioritise ventilation in refurbishments, considering systems like Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) for new builds, which provide fresh, filtered air without heat loss. Ensuring that all student rooms have adequate, controllable ventilation should be seen as fundamental to supporting academic welfare, as vital as providing adequate heating or internet access.
In the intense academic environment of Oxford, every advantage counts. By bringing the issue of air quality out of the shadows, we can empower students to create environments that don’t just house them, but actively help them think, focus, and succeed.
