No matter what level you are at college or whether you are studying for your Ph.D. exam, it can be difficult to study. No matter how many times you have read the same lines over and over, there are many instances when you can’t focus and concentrate.
It doesn’t matter what distraction you have, it’s important to find a way not to be distracted by social media. This will allow you to concentrate on your studies.
We have compiled a list of tips and tricks that will help you focus on the task ahead.
- Create a positive environment
A successful study session is dependent on the location. Some people require quiet and peace, such as the library. Others prefer coffee shops that provide enough background noise to help them focus. Whatever your preference, here are some things to remember before you start learning.
You need a clean surface.
Outlets – If you have a computer that you need to study, ensure you locate a spot near a power source. This will allow you to not have to interrupt your flow to make sure your battery doesn’t run out.
A comfortable seating area – When you’re looking for a study space, make sure you have all the furniture you need to support your posture. If you intend to do long-term, sustainable study, this is a must. You can use a desk chair, an exercise ball, or a desk chair with back support. It has been proven that standing upright can increase energy and confidence as well as improve mood. Slouching can also make your brain more susceptible to feeling hopeless.
- Block distracting apps and websites
Distracting websites and apps can kill any productive and focused study session if you’re like most people. A familiar situation is when you, for example, need to spend time on your assignments but the only thing that repeats on your mind is “I do not want to do my discussion board” or whatever you need to?
Our smart devices can notify us of anything happening on social media and anywhere else on the internet. We receive a notification, we check it, and then realize that we have spent over an hour on our phone without actually knowing what we did.
Did you know that it takes on average 23 minutes to refocus your work after being interrupted?
You will need an app or a site-blocking program to stop you from checking your phone for things that distract you from focusing. You can put your phone on silent if you don’t wish to do this.
- Listen to the music
Focusing better can be helped by listening to your favorite song. Music can help you relax and focus, by decreasing stress and anxiety.
You may choose classical music depending on what type of study you are doing. It stimulates the brain and makes you smarter. Rap music can be used to help you relax and focus better.
Listen to low-quality music, and if the lyrics or tunes are distracting you, switch to a different genre.
- Divide study sessions into groups.
It is easy to become overwhelmed when studying. Poor time management and planning are two of the main causes of stress when studying. This causes a lot of stress when you sit down to study.
Research and studies show that dividing your studying into multiple sessions will improve retention.
While it may be possible to memorize all the information in one go for the exam, you won’t remember everything that you learned over the course of a week.
Focusing on the details and learning them is the best way to keep your attention. It’s much easier to focus for 30 minutes, then take a break and go back to work.
- Not grades, but skills.
Students make the common mistake of focusing on grades and not learning the skills that will help them in their lives.
It is easy to chase a grade. But, you need to remember that education is designed to give students the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in the real world.
You may find it difficult to focus on your studies if you’re too worried about your grade. The distraction stress and pressure of studying will decrease if you focus on the learning.
Talk to your family or friends if you are worried about the grade. You will be able to realize that the grade doesn’t matter as much.
If you have learned something you will remember for the next week.
These are some other things that can help you stay focused:
- Write weekly, monthly, or yearly reviews;
- Exercise;
- Schedule downtime;
- Tools to help you organize and focus;
- The Pomodoro Technique is a way to split your study sessions.
Do you have any tips or tricks that can help you focus while studying? It doesn’t matter what you do. As long as it helps you continue your studies. It can be helpful to study with a partner and help you better understand the material.
