Do you find yourself juggling between assignments, notes, and co-curricular, and can’t focus on your studies at all? All of us face this situation more often when the semester ends feels like a roller coaster ride.
There can be numerous reasons such as social media, procrastination, time mismanagement, and friends and family that won’t let you stick to your study schedule. Even if you start well in an academic year, gradually you might lose motivation or interest in the subject.
To combat these challenges, we will be discussing some science-backed ways that will teach you how to focus better on your studies without sacrificing your fun time and hobbies. You can apply each technique and stick with the ones that work magically on your learning style. Once you develop a study schedule, you will be relieved from the stress and panic of nearing deadlines, exams, or tests.
Your priority should be smart work and more productivity in less time. Let’s see how to focus on studies and build the life of your dreams.
- ▪ 1. Create An Ideal Study Environment For Yourself
- ▪ 2. Establish Precise Goals
- ▪ 3. Create And Follow A Timetable That Works For You
- ▪ 4. Learn To Set Priorities
- ▪ 5. Get Rid Of All Kinds Of Distraction
- ▪ 6. Try To Use The Pomodoro Technique
- ▪ 7. A Healthy Mind Only Stays Inside A Healthy Body
- ▪ 8. Track Your Progress
- ▪ 9. Learn the Art Of Rewarding Yourself
- ▪ What Did You Learn So Far?
1. Create An Ideal Study Environment For Yourself
Most students complain “I want to study but I can’t focus“. This is probably because you are not studying at the right place. Yes, the place where you study has a lot to do with your productivity and concentration. If you study while sitting on your bed or table in a slouched position, you might take a nap that lasts for hours. So, the first step to focus on study is finding a place where you work best.
Some people like a quiet place like a library for a successful study session while light bustles in a restaurant or a coffee shop work for others. If you like a little background noise then switch on some music without lyrics for better concentration. Try out which genre works for you the best.
Removing distractions is the most important factor that tells you how to focus on study. Keep your mobile phone aside, away from loud noises, and keep everything you need on your table at once. Check if the lighting is sufficient so that you don’t strain your eyes. Studying in low lighting can make you doze off easily.
Your sitting posture also matters a lot when it comes to concentrating. Get a comfortable chair or standing desk to keep your brain active while studying. A slouched posture can induce negative feelings and low confidence in your brain.
Having a place to relax is as important as having a place for focused studying. Here you can take a break and relax your mind. But remember that taking breaks doesn’t mean using a mobile phone for hours or scrolling through your feed. You can simply do some breathing exercises, physical activities, or take a short nap.
The ability to do deep work is a most wanted skill for increasing productivity and sharp concentration. You can start with small sessions of deeply focused learning and gradually increase the session time.
2. Establish Precise Goals
If you’re wondering how to increase concentration in studies, first have a clear vision of what you want to achieve and how your studies are going to help you with that. Instead of saying “I want to do well in exams”, be more precise about your goal and write it down.
You may not need the motivation to watch your favourite show, but studying a particular subject makes you give up. This is the reason why you need clarity about your goals, make plans and make your study sessions fun. It is obvious that you won’t enjoy the journey if you’re not sure about the destination and analyze how closer you got to it.
If you want to learn how to focus more on studies then start setting long-term and short-term goals. It will keep you driven and passionate toward achieving that. Try to be realistic and specific while setting goals. Also, you have to be patient to establish good habits.
Even if you miss attaining your goals in time, be patient with yourself and remember that roadblocks don’t mean failure. But the most important thing is to write your goals on paper and visualize them. According to studies, you are 40% more likely to achieve your goal if it is written and relevant actions are taken consistently.
To understand how to learn fast for exams, you should know the SMART technique of goal setting. It means your goals should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Your goals should be based on the following parameters for favourable results. Make your objective clear and achievable in a given time frame.
3. Create And Follow A Timetable That Works For You
Do you find yourself out of focus and confused about when to study? You must be thinking about how to focus on studies when you have a busy schedule in school or many extracurricular activities. Don’t worry, you can manage all this by creating a timetable for different tasks. You must be wondering why none of my timetables works. Then it may be the possibility that you’re not making an unrealistic routine that is not meant for you. For instance, getting up at 5 AM for studies might work for an early bird but not for those who can focus well in the nighttime.
Keep in mind that your timetable should be flexible enough. You should avoid perfectionism and not overload your timetable with too many tasks.
A timetable for studies is a great way to establish habits, track your progress, and motivate you to accomplish more. So, one of the best tips to focus on studies is to create a study schedule that works for you the best and stick with it.
Making a good study schedule is just the first step, but the real challenge students face is the reduced concentration span. This is why study timetables don’t work for most students. If you’re also among them, then first look for the reason why you can’t focus on anything.
The reason might be poor diet, less physical activity, stress, or mental conditions like Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Once you know the reason behind your short concentration, it will be easier to work on it.
Want to know how to stay focused while studying and increase your attention span? Regular physical activities, periodic rest, practicing mindfulness, and visualization techniques can help you boost your productivity. Also, try to limit your screen time for better results. Staying hydrated and breathing exercises can also be helpful when you get anxious.
4. Learn To Set Priorities
Do you struggle with keeping up with the deadlines and feel overwhelmed by the tasks? We will tell you how to focus on studies when there are so many distractions or limited time frames. Start making a priority list to note down all the tasks in decreasing order of priority.
Study the portions of the most priority first to score well in less time. It is also beneficial for those who tend to forget or miss their deadlines. A priority list of subjects can greatly help you if you’re wondering how to revise effectively.
The correct way for setting up priorities is by saying no to the things or people who waste your time, ranking tasks based on deadlines, and allocating time limits for each subject.
5. Get Rid Of All Kinds Of Distraction
How to focus on my studies? A perfect answer to this question could be letting go of your distractions. Well, it might not be as easy as it sounds but it could be a discussion. When you ignore the long-term benefits for some temporary, less-rewarding rewards, it’s instant gratification.
Suppose, you have an assignment submission coming in a few days and you’re working on it. Meanwhile, a friend calls you up to hang out in the nearby mall. When you choose to close your book and head towards the mall, that’s instant gratification. Precisely, it means ignoring a long-term future benefit for a temporary reward.
Instant gratification isn’t a good thing when it comes to focusing on your studies. It could be difficult to restrict yourself from immediate temptations but your goal is for the long run.
Living in the age of instant gratification, it might be difficult to get over your urges quickly. But the following ways might help you achieve the same.
- Try pausing your urges: When you have an urge, try to take a pause rather than following an instant action. Take a deep breath, calm down and let your heartbeat get back to normal first.
- Take a conscious decision: Think before you act. Will it be fruitful for you in the long run? What reward does it bring you in future? Does it serve your purpose? If you are getting a negative response to these questions, it’s better to not give in to your urge.
- Learn over time: It might be a difficult task to not give in to your urges in the very beginning. You’ll often lose to these immediate temptations but start practising limiting these urges. You might fail on the first and second day, even the third, but there’ll be an improvement on the fourth day.
Getting rid of instant gratification is a prompt answer to how to focus on studies.
6. Try To Use The Pomodoro Technique
Now, we’ll tell you another interesting method on how to study focused. The Pomodoro technique is an excellent methodology that entails effective time management to boost your focus. It’s a time management method dependent on 25-minute stretches of concentrated work divided by five minutes of break. Prolonged breaks, usually 15 to 30 minutes come after four consecutive work intervals. Each of these intervals is termed Pomodoro.
It’s a great method to accomplish more work in a shorter span with a sense of achievement coming hand in hand. Let us divide the Pomodoro technique into five internal processes.
- Internal Process: Form a connecting relationship with time to boost your productivity.
- Core Process: Stay super focused on the tasks to establish better goals in a short span.
- Daily Process: Adhere to a strict routine, upgrade the daily work process and be an effective multitasker when required.
- Weekly Process: Stick to a weekly routine, organise your work and achieve multiple goals.
- Team Process: Adapting the Pomodoro method to a team setting can be useful.
Applying the Pomodor method can be a good input to how to stay focused while studying.
7. A Healthy Mind Only Stays Inside A Healthy Body
Among all the answers on how to focus on studies, a health-related point needs to stand out. No matter how smart techniques you’re applying for better focus, you need to have sound physical health to abide by them. Do you know the simplest gateway towards maintaining a healthy life and better focus? Regular exercise.
Studies suggest regular exercise is directly proportional to the overall well-being of an individual. It creates a profound overall good impact, relieves stress, strengthens memory, supports good sleep and creates a sense of positivity. All these factors play a key role in improving your focus on your studies and doing better on exams.
Yoga for students might be of immense help to enhance their concentration and be on the track during study sessions. Some of the other helpful exercises that you can start with include:
- Meditation for students like mindful breathing can be a suitable exercise to better your focus power.
- Swimming can be another option that helps you stay focused.
- Cycling is among the most popular ways to keep your mind and body fit.
- Other effective exercises can be slow pushups, plank, side plank, etc.
One of the best study focus tips is to keep your body fit and help your mental being be positive.
8. Track Your Progress
How to score good marks in exams? This has been a timeless question for students. One of the many steps to score well is tracking your overall progress on the subject or concerned topic. Tracking your progress is necessary for several reasons including:
- Where do you stand at present?
- Do you have a developed concept about the topic or subject?
- What are the key areas of improvement?
A precise answer to these questions can help you gather your mistakes, work on them and come up with a better output. When you don’t track your progress, you keep repeating the same mistake which serves no good. It’s you, in the end, to suffer in the exam hall. That’s why keeping a clear track of your progress is important to focus on your studies.
Tracking your progress might start with self-assessments. You can read a topic, answer the questions on your own and verify the answers. Another helpful method can be taking mock tests and scrutinising the feedback. Once you go through the feedback you’ll get track of your current standing on the subject or topic. Accordingly, you can stop procrastinating and can take your next step.
9. Learn the Art Of Rewarding Yourself
How to focus on studying at home? This has been a true problem among students to focus on their studies while at home. All the above-mentioned methods can be a good fit. In addition to it, positive reinforcement is a great decision too. All of us love rewards. It excites us. How about self-treating us on achieving small goals?
Let us give you an example. Set yourself a goal of finishing up the answers to a chapter within the next thirty minutes, without a break. Once you’re done, get yourself a break and your favourite ice cream maybe? Or tune in to your best song? When you set small rewards for accomplishing goals, it boosts your energy and focuses on further improving your studies.
Self-rewards are an excellent way to enhance productivity and stick your focus to the lessons. So, now you know how to focus on studies by rewarding yourself with the little gifts that energise you to do better next time.
What Did You Learn So Far?
Many intelligent students fall behind due to their lack of concentration. Focus and attentiveness are the ultimate gateways towards cracking hard exams and coming out with flying colours and that’s where the above methods on how to focus on studies can offer you much help.
Which of these techniques did you like the most? Are you going to apply them from your upcoming study session?