“Successful people maintain a positive focus in life no matter what is going on around them. They stay focused on their past successes rather than their past failures, and on the next action steps they need to take to get them closer to the fulfillment of their goals rather than all the other distractions that life presents to them.”– Jack Canfield
“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.”
–Mark Twain
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Focusing has been a major problem for me when I try to study. Thankfully, I have discovered several ways to help myself overcome this difficulty and my grades have improved as a result. I hope some of these tips can help some of you guys out there as much as they did for me! c: These tips are in chronological order from when I get home!
I cannot stress enough on how exercise has allowed me to concentrate more.You don’t even need to get a gym membership. I simply workout in my tiny room while watching workout videos on youtube. Some great youtubers that offer free workout videos include fitnessblender, blogilates, tone it up, and Be Fit. Their workout videos are awesome and their videos range from 5 minutes to an hour, depending on how much time you have. Aside the mental benefits, you also get physical results in your body and who doesn’t want that!? Here is an article explaining how exercise helps you concentrate in a more in depth explanation.
Eat Healthy Foods (or at least before/while you are studying)
After working out, I always put something in my body that is healthy. I suggest making smoothies that are packed with fruits and/or veggies. Here are some of my favorite, healthy smoothie recipes that taste amazing. Trust me when I say this, these smoothies will help you focus and concentrate and give you a rush of energy.
Before I sit down and crank out my studying, I always reorganize my workspace. This simple, 30 second step will allow you to think more clearly and your stuff wont be cluttered everywhere and look like a crime scene of papers.
Plan What You Need To Get Done
From simply buying a planner or by making a bullet journal (here’s a link on how to bullet journal), writing down what needs to get down can help you manage your time better. Prioritize what you need to get done. Write down any upcoming due dates or tests. By doing this, you can time out how long you need to preform each task. I use this planner. Investing in a planner has impacted the way I study and it is not time consuming at all. I am not sure why, but writing what needs to get done makes me feel less stressed and I highly recommend investing in a planner if time management is not your strong suit.
Turn Your Phone on Airplane Mode
I am not going to lie, I get distracted very easily, especially when I get notifications from snapchat, instagram, etc.Turning your phone on airplane mode will get rid of this problem since it disables notifications from these distracting sources.
Apps That Help With Focusing
Some apps that can help with focusing include FocusNow and FocusTimer, both free in the app store. These apps help you develop good habits while measuring your progress!
Listen to Classical Music, or Don’t Listen to Anything Else
I actually find all music to be distrustful but many people enjoy listening to classical music while studying. However, DO NOT LISTEN TO ANY OTHER MUSIC BESIDES CLASSICAL MUSIC WHILE YOU STUDY. You will get distracted and you will not be as efficient. If you don’t like listening to classical music, but don’t enjoy sitting in absolute silence when you study, go to the library! The library is (or suppose to be) a quiet place and has some background noise which I find to help me focus. I despise studying in absolute silence since I find that random thoughts of mine take over
Working 3 hours straight is not a good habit you want to keep, instead take 10 minute breaks after 50 minute periods. I use this ratio and I find it to be very effective. Within those 10 minutes, reward yourself. Eat a snack, walk around your neighborhood, play with your dog, etc. I do not recommend going on your phone within those breaks since I often find myself getting sucked in and find it difficult to go back to “study mode”.
