The Sensory Study Room is a dedicated space in the LRC designed to support students who benefit from a more controlled sensory environment. It provides a quieter, low-stimulation setting to help with focus, regulation, and comfort while studying.
The space consists of two distinct areas: one designed for quiet study, and another intended for sensory regulation, offering a calm environment to pause and reset. Whether you need a calmer place to work or a space that supports your sensory needs, this room is here to help you study in a way that works for you.
- What is in the Sensory Study Room?
- Where is the Sensory Study Room?
- When is it open?
- Who can use the Sensory Study Room?
- Do I need to book before using the room?
- How do I access and use the Sensory Study Room?
- Can I talk or make phonecalls in the room?
- Can I bring food or drink in the room?
- Who can I contact with questions or feedback?
- What other support do the LRCs have for for neurodiverse students?
What is in the Sensory Study Room?
The room includes adjustable lighting to help control brightness levels, as well as black-out blinds to reduce external light.
Sensory Regulation Area:
This calming zone is designed to help users manage sensory input and find comfort. It features:
- Multiple seating options including a beanbag, stool, armchair and floor mat
- A variety of coloured lamps
- A wide selection of sensory items to support focus and relaxation
Study Area:
This section is tailored for focused, individual work. It includes:
- Two desks, including a height-adjustable desk to accommodate different preferences and accessibility needs
- A PC equipped with Creative Arts specialist software and a Wacom tablet
- A wall-mounted whiteboard
- Both a standard keyboard and a large format keyboard
Where is the Sensory Study Room?
On the ground floor of the College Lane Learning Resources Centre (LRC). It's located just past the automatic entrance gates, next to the Laptop Loans lockers. Search J148 using the wayfinding feature on your Herts Mobile App.
When is it open?
The Sensory Study Room is available during LRC Welcome Desk hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 10:00am – 5:00pm
Wednesday: 11:30am – 5:00pm
Who can use the Sensory Study Room?
Access to the Sensory Study Room is currently by referral through Student Wellbeing. The space is designed to support those who may benefit from a more regulated environment for sensory wellbeing.
If you believe this space could support your academic experience, please contact the Student Wellbeing team to discuss a referral.
Do I need to book before using the room?
No need to book. The room is available for use on a first come, first served basis. Using the Sensory Study Room doesn’t count toward your weekly five-hour group study room allowance, so you can still book other study spaces as usual. We just ask that you use the space considerately, keeping in mind the study needs of other students that may also benefit from it.
How do I access and use the Sensory Study Room?
To use the room, just speak to a member of staff on the Welcome Desk. If you're eligible, they'll sign out a blank ID card that gives you access to the Sensory Study Room. Once inside, use the traffic light system on the bottom window of the door to show how you'd like to use the space:
While using the room, you're welcome to step out briefly whenever you need - for example, to use the bathroom or access other LRC services and resources. However, if you need to be away for an extended period or leave the building, please return the card to the Welcome Desk first. Like other LRC resources, the card is tagged to stay within the building, and taking it outside may trigger an alert - so handing it back helps avoid any issues.
Can I talk or make phone calls in the room?
Yes, but please be respectful of anyone else that may be using the space.
Can I bring food or drink in?
As with the other spaces in the LRC, hot and cold drinks are allowed, as is cold food. Hot food is not permitted. Please also make sure you are respectful of others users and leave the space as you would expect to find it.
Who can I contact with questions or feedback?
Feedback can be submitted in 2 ways; in written form via the suggestion box in the room, or digitally using the online form. A QR code to submit digital feedback is also on the suggestion box.
If you have any questions about use of the room , please talk to a member of staff on the Welcome Desk.
What other support do the LRCs have for for neurodiverse students?
We’re proud to introduce our new Sensory Study Room, however, we understand that this space may not suit everyone’s needs.
We also offer a range of support tailored to neurodiverse students, including resources, services, and spaces to help you get the most out of your time in the LRCs. For more information check LRC Services and Support for Neurodiverse Students.
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