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6 Ways You Can Stay Focused On Studies
Studying has become increasingly challenging as the number of technological distractions such as social media, video streaming, and online gaming platforms proliferate. As a student, you may have fallen victim to these distractions, whittling away your concentration on studies. When the pandemic forced students to study from home, the allure of these distractions likely increased. To help break the habit, here are the top 6 methods you can try to enhance focus and efficiency in learning.
1. Prepare yourself mentally
Getting to your study room and giving a topic your full concentration may seem like drudgery for many, especially when you do not like the subject. By taking a minute or two to mentally prepare yourself, you can set yourself up for success. Right before you start, set a firm intention by consciously telling yourself that you will begin studying in a minute and complete the intended lessons within a specific time.
This intention will help you get going instantly, as it prepares your mind to focus on the job you’ve given yourself. It works even better if you set a timer for one minute and tell yourself to begin studying as it goes off. Then, you can set another timer for the specific time you plan to study. This lets you know how much time you have left to accomplish your task. Preparing yourself mentally will release the resistance you might be experiencing and make you less prone to distractions.
2. Write a plan for the day
Create a plan with the topics you will cover every day. Be specific about what you wish to achieve during that learning session. For example, simply writing down ‘study math’ seems like a vague plan. To make it more detailed and clear, you can write something like ‘learn chapter 4 of chemistry and create a summary.’
When you define your tasks elaborately, you get to know if they are achievable within the intended time. Another benefit of writing a plan for the day is that it becomes simpler to track your progress. If you have completed half of the planned topic at the halfway point of your allotted time, it means you are on the right track. Hence, setting specific goals with details is the key to studying constructively during every session.
3. Understand topics deeply
Gone are the days when rote memorization used to be the last-minute savior. As the competition in your desired field increases, you need more knowledge about the topic you are studying. While you may be inclined towards mugging up a topic or two, it won’t be helpful in the long run. To really get a proper understanding of any concept, you need to dive deep. A mentor or a friend can be helpful if you are unable to understand it by yourself. It goes without saying that the concepts you learn by engaging and interacting with them help you stay focused. Moreover, they are a lot easier to recall than the ones you memorize rotely. You can also practice by explaining the topic to someone else. This is a good way to solidify your understanding and make sure that it makes sense to you.
4. Keep track of completed topics
Along with planning for every session beforehand, it is also essential to keep a track record of all the topics/chapters you complete every week. It enables you to assess the milestones reached per the objectives you set during that week. If you are falling behind in meeting your targets, you may need to check the time allotted V/S time required for the topics. Some of them may need more time, or you may need to take help from a mentor.
On the other hand, if you achieve the goals before the time you have set, you can increase your targets. Maintaining a record of your accomplished tasks will give you clarity and motivation to stay focused on your studies.
5. Only keep the materials needed
As we know, a clutter-free mind and a clutter-free environment pave the way to success and alignment with our purpose. This especially applies to your goal of bringing deep focus to learning. As per research, the brain processes information efficiently when there are less distractions from your surroundings. So it will be beneficial if you keep only the required materials on your study table for the task at hand. All the ‘non-study’ items must be kept away from your desk. If you have any such materials lying on your study table, take a few minutes to organize them before you begin. A tidy environment keeps your mind calm and helps you concentrate better.
6. Exercise regularly
As per studies, regular exercise benefits both the body and the mind. Small workouts can enhance your focus as they increase the blood flow in your brain. In addition to this, exercise helps better your mood and sleep quality, thereby reducing stress and anxiety. Hence, start your day with an exercise routine of at least 10 to 15 minutes. You can blend it with meditation or yoga if it interests you. These are known to balance the mind and help improve focus.
Conclusion
All students struggle with maintaining focus during their studies, so it is vital to break the habit of procrastinating. The above mentioned are a few ways to expand your potential and make the mind be your companion instead of an enemy. Give these tips a try and include them in your routine from today. They will help you remain focused and make your learning more efficient.