7 Worthwhile Tips to Stay Focused While Studying
If you’re looking for someone to help build your site and complete your busywork, then do feel free to get in touch. I’m a virtual administrative assistant that would love to help grow your business with you. 💜 Get in touch here.
Do you ever have that moment while studying where your mind starts to drift off?
One second you’re thinking about what that word could mean, and the next second you’re thinking about what you’re having for lunch.
Truthfully, this is a common problem that a lot of people have.
In my high school years, I always found it extremely hard to concentrate on my assignments for school, but I could literally spend an entire week researching multiple frivolous facts.
Although all of the studying I do now is on my own, I’ve learned quite a few tricks that help to keep me focused even when I’m really not in the mood to do it.
From time to time, my blog posts and pages may contain affiliate links, which means I may get compensated/earn a commission at no extra cost to you if the affiliate links are utilized to make a purchase. To learn more, click the link below to view my affiliate disclosure.
Stop Memorizing Small Details
A mistake a lot of people often make is worrying about memorizing every single small detail. instead, you should learn to apply and solve bigger picture problems relating to the subject.
Solving problems instead of memorizing small details will keep you focused. You may find that memorizing small details is very monotonous and time-consuming.
Whereas if you work on solving problems it allows your mind to go into a flow state. Just make sure that the problems you solve are difficult but not too difficult!
When you do this, you’ll find that you end up memorizing smaller details easily.
After you’ve spent time solving problems and applying the study material, review your notes and determine the skills or areas where you’re lacking. Solve more problems or use flashcards to learn the rest of the details.
At first, you may find solving problems difficult and time-consuming – this is a good thing.
If you find that when you’re studying, it’s really easy, more than likely you’re studying incorrectly.
Routine
I personally know a lot of people hate routine. I also know a lot of people hate studying every single day.
But having a routine may be the number one reason some people succeed and others fail.
Having a routine will help you increase your studying productivity during each session and will help with stress.
You’ll also notice that when your routine becomes a habit, your study sessions will be more focused.
Ensure You’re in Good Health
Would you be surprised if I told you that people who are healthier achieve better grades?
Exercising regularly is one of the best ways that you can improve not only your focus but also your memory and mood.
Working out increases your dopamine and serotonin levels – which directly affects your focus and attention.
Eating healthy foods has also been shown to have an effect on your grades as well.
Students who eat healthier meals tend to have higher grades and perform better overall.
If you’re someone who’s been slacking on that diet, I hope this will encourage you to feed your body for your health and intrinsic benefits rather than just weight loss.
Listen to Music
Listening to music has been linked to improved memory cognition as well as focus. Although, you should beware of music in certain situations or certain types of music.
If you’re looking to learn more, read this blog post by me.
Buy Earplugs
If you’re someone like me you may find that you got distracted quite easily. While I find listening to music during study sessions quite nice, it does not mean that I’m not being exposed to other environmental sounds.
Earplugs really help with studying if you have dogs, roommates, or just living in a loud area.
I personally like to wear my earplugs with my headphones over them. I still get to enjoy my music without any other sounds bothering me.
For myself, buying earplugs was one of the best investments I’ve ever made.
Have Breaks – Often
Yes, breaks matter.
I used to be one of those people who swore on not taking breaks. I felt like I could do my best work when I would spend hours using all of my energy to focus on the task at hand.
I also used to be very naive & ignorant.
“Research shows that taking purposeful breaks (anywhere from 5-60 minutes) from studying to refresh your brain and body increases your energy, productivity, and ability to focus.”
Cornell Health
If you’re looking for things to do on your study breaks, check out this article.
Focus on Learning, Not Your Grades
It can be really easy to equate our worthiness or value to the type of work that we produce.
To end this article, I would like to give everyone a reminder that your personal value is not based on how well you do against others.
Your value comes from the fact that you are a human – and not what you give.
I suggest that you focus on being a better you and spend your time investing in yourself and your learning.
Of course, we all want better or the best grades but make sure to remember that your happiness and your livelihood come before any of that.
So instead of obsessing over your grades, I suggest you learn to enjoy learning instead focus on how much knowledge you’ve gained.
Happy learning!
🙂
