No matter how diligent you are about your studies, it can be incredibly hard to stay focused all of the time, especially if you’re distracted by all of the things competing for your attention. Whether it’s browsing Facebook or watching YouTube videos, it can seem like your productivity disappears when you’re not fully present on your schoolwork or work project. Fortunately, there are some tips that can help you stay focused and get more done in less time, so you can finish your studies quickly and confidently.
Set your priorities
Prioritize your time. If you have a test coming up, it is important that you study for it and not do anything else in the meantime. However, if you have a bunch of essays due at the same time, then study for those and do your other work later. Be prepared for distractions. Whether you’re studying or working, things will come up that may distract you from what’s important.
Ditch Distractions
1. Ditch the distractions. Avoid getting drawn into conversations, checking your phone, and scrolling through social media feeds.
2. Take care of business first. Get up early and get your work done first thing in the morning so you can enjoy the rest of your day without any pressure or guilt hanging over your head.
3. Keep it consistent – set a schedule for studying and adhere to it, even when you don’t feel like it!
4. Reward yourself. When you complete a task or study session, give yourself some time to relax with a TV show or an online game. But make sure that you’re spending time on these activities after completing your study time. If they are pulling you away from doing what needs to be done, then limit the amount of time spent on them until they are used as rewards after finishing other tasks.
Get Enough Sleep
Studies show that sleep deprivation affects concentration, mood, and brain function. To avoid this, try going to bed at the same time every night and waking up at the same time every morning. This will help regulate your circadian rhythms and make it easier for you to fall asleep. You should also minimize screen time (like watching tv or playing games) before bedtime so that it doesn’t stimulate your brain before you’re ready to go to sleep. If possible, don’t drink coffee after noon as caffeine can interfere with REM sleep and keep you awake.
Exercise Regularly
Exercising regularly is a key component of a healthy lifestyle. Not only does it help you stay in shape, but it also helps improve your concentration. In order for your brain to function at its full potential, it needs regular exercise and oxygen-rich blood flow. Exercise produces increased energy levels and reduced stress levels as well.
Eat Healthy Foods
Eating healthy helps your body function at its best. Eating junk food can make you tired and sluggish, which will affect your productivity and concentration levels. Consider implementing these four healthy eating habits into your routine:
• Eat breakfast every day
• Reduce the amount of sugar in your diet
• Choose low-sodium foods when possible
• Drink plenty of water If your brain isn’t operating at 100%, it’s not just a feeling – it’s science.
It doesn’t take much for our brains to get foggy or jumbled, and even if we do feel focused, that focus is scattered and not laser-sharp as we need it to be for studying.
Prioritize Routine Activities
Before you start your day, plan out what needs to be done and when. Write down a list of tasks and divide them into sections such as morning, afternoon, and evening. This will keep you from being too overwhelmed or feeling like something is missing. If you have any tasks that don’t need to be done until later in the day or week, put them at the end of your list so they are easy to find and won’t get lost in the pile of things that need doing now.
Leave the Phone Alone When Studying
It’s important to make sure that you are able to focus on your studies and not be distracted by anything else. One way to do this is by making sure that your phone is in a place where it won’t interrupt you. Turn the ringer off, put it in another room or turn off notifications so that you don’t get a notification every time someone posts something on social media or sends an email.
Plan for Study Breaks
It’s important for students to take breaks from their studies, but it can be hard for them to know when or how long they should spend doing other things. A good rule of thumb is that a study break should last about an hour, and it should have a different focus than the rest of your studying.
Celebrate Small Victories
In order to stay motivated and maintain the mindset of I can do this, it’s important that we celebrate our small victories. Celebrating small victories is a way of acknowledging progress, but also encourages us to keep trying in times when we might otherwise give up.
