How to Stay Focus on Study?
Tips and Tricks
When exam and assignment deadlines are approaching, you might find yourself a bit overwhelmed. And sometimes when we feel overwhelmed, we tend to procrastinate. You might even find yourself trying to relax but you have an uncomfortable feeling that you’re meant to be studying. Next up are steps to achieve high focus and productivity!
1. Organisation is key
One of the keys to academic success is being organised. Plan a study schedule and make time for breaks. When you have a clear outline of how you are going to achieve your end result, you’re less likely to procrastinate.
2. Take a regular break
Studying for hours on end can lead to burnout and decreased productivity. Research shows that our brains need time to rest and recharge to stay focused. The ideal duration for study breaks will vary from person to person because everyone’s energy levels are different throughout the day. Experiment with different times and break durations to find what works best for you. If you’re not sure, start by taking a 10-minute break every hour or two. When you start to feel tired or lose concentration, take a longer break. Or you can try Pomodoro method that follows a basic pattern of 25 minutes of studying followed by a five-minute break.
Instead of turning on social media on your break, to properly rest your mind, try these options:
- A walk or any exercise
- Meditation
- Meet up with friend
- Take a few minutes of nap
- Stretch
Your study space can play a big role in staying focused and calm. Here are some ways to create the perfect space:
- Make sure your desk and chair are safe for you to avoid injuries or pain in the body.
- Use a lamp that doesn't shine directly on your screen and make sure there is no glare or shadows on the screen.
- A cluttered desk = cluttered mind so try to keep your desk clean. You can find cheap items to organise your notes and stationery at shops such as Kmart.
- Make your study area a lovely place to be like use a diffuser for essential oils, buy a pot plant, a picture to place above the desk or a nice lamp.
- Experiment with background music to create a calm atmosphere and drown out any noise.
4. Eat the frog first
Funny phrase from a book written by Brian Tracy ‘Eat That Frog’. It is basically advises you to ‘do the worst first.’
Do that one first, because having a task that you’re delaying can drain your energy and make you less productive. Once you complete that task, it will give you a sense of accomplishment and relief and you’ll have the momentum to get through your other work much more easily.
6. Take care of yourself
If you find yourself stressed out by deadlines and exams, it’s even more important to look after yourself and your health. Make sure you:
- Eat nourishing foods to help fuel your brain
- Meditate to release good endorphins
- get 8 hours of sleep so that your brain is well rested and able to function better.