How to Focus on Your Studying

If you are finding it difficult to study, you may have to take a look at your study habits. This How will give you some tips and advice on how to focus on studying.

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Summary

1. Find a quiet, distraction-free place.
2. Have all of your study materials on hand.
3. Consider getting a study buddy.
4. Take short breaks often, and snack on granola bars, fruit, and water.
5. Limit your computer use and avoid listening to music unless it helps you study.
6. Don't stray off-topic or get discouraged.
What should be done
1. Find a suitable studying environment. Your bedroom or classroom isn't always the best possible place. Find a nice, quiet place with a large, comfortable chair, like your sitting room, preferably without a television, a computer or a cell phone within your reach. Don't over think about social media and try staying away from social media.

• The library is usually a nice place to study because it's quiet. Perhaps your parents' office is another potential location, provided it's quiet and offers few distractions.

2. Collect revision materials before you begin studying. Do not plan to look for pens, highlighters, rulers, etc, in the middle of studying. It can be really distracting at times, so prepare everything you think you need.

3. Find a study partner. Pick someone who is sensible and focused like you are on the same task. Don't always pick your best friend, as you may ruin both your concentrations by chitchatting. Having a study partner is a great idea, as you can bounce ideas off each other, and see things from a different perspective as yourself

• Some people find study partners distracting. Chances are if you are an extrovert, meaning you really like other people and love talking, a study partner probably won't be the best option for you. If you are an introvert, meaning you generally keep to yourself and are a bit sheer, a study partner might work great for you. However, if you are studying with a very extroverted partner, they will most likely try to talk to you while you are trying to study.

4. Collect suitable revision snacks. No energy drinks or coffee, because sooner or later, you will crash out. Granola bars, fruit, and water are good because they are simple and effective at releasing carbohydrates.

5. Take short breaks. After 45 minutes of studying, take a 10-minute break and do something different. Try to get back to your studying after the break; the break shouldn't be longer than 20 minutes.

• Plan your breaks out with alarms. If your breaks are planned, you're less likely to miss them in the first place, and more importantly, less likely to "accidentally" take more time than is needed.

• Why take breaks? Your brain needs time to recharge after it processes a bunch of information. In some studies, taking a break and walking around improved memory recall and simple test scores in subjects.

6. Sit down and study. You have everything you need in front of you and there's nothing left to procrastinate with. It's just you and the material. Well? What are you waiting for?

• Use flash cards and notes to your advantage. Flash cards are helpful for some people, as they contain important information in very little space. Use them if you feel they are helpful for you. Lay them out sequentially, or order them according to a different scheme if you want to give them a little more meaning.

• Make use of mnemonic tools. "Mnemonic tools" is a fancy word for memorization. Make some information into a funny song, or put the information into an acronym (remember VIBGYOR?) to help you remember what you're trying to remember.

• Make sure you know the most important information first and then move onto the rest. Study and understand key concepts before you branch out. This will give you a basic level of understanding to build on.

• Ask yourself why you are studying, what will be the benefit of studying and write it down on a piece of paper. Every time you get a distracted to look at the paper and remind yourself why studying is important for you.