Being a few weeks into the second semester and nearly spring, many people are just about done with school. However, we still have another term left in the year and our workload is bound to pile up. So what’s the best way to stay focused?
Everyone is different when it comes to school and learning, but there are multiple strategies to try depending on your weaknesses!
If you struggle to concentrate: try the Pomodoro Technique. This style forces you to work for thirty minutes, then allows you a ten or fifteen-minute break before moving on to another thirty-minute work session. This way, people who tend to struggle to focus get time to relax before working again.
If you feel tired: Grab a hot drink or something with caffeine to get you thinking again. Then, walk around your house or do some exercise to get your body moving. Tiredness typically occurs later at night, so if you can, do your work sooner rather than later. Drink lots of water and don’t stay up too late!
If you’re frustrated or having difficulty: Try Googling videos, contacting a friend for help, or reaching out to the teacher. Take a five-minute break or work on something else to keep your mind off of it. Coming back to the work at a later time might help you realize something that you were missing before.
There are millions of study techniques online and plenty of resources available. By talking to a counselor or reaching out to a teacher or older student, you can get some help on the best ways to learn and stay focused while completing your work. Finding the method that works best for you takes some trial and error, but it can make a big difference in your grades. It can also boost your mental health and give you the gratification of completion. Procrastination and an overwhelming homework load are difficult to manage, but researching and experimenting with these methods will make a big difference in your learning.
People with ADHD or other attention deficit disorders may struggle more with focusing and staying on task. Some general tips to improve studying focus include using more color and detail in notes, planning out study sessions and sticking to a schedule, and treating yourself to rewards when a task is complete. This gives the brain more to work with, and even people without attention problems can use these tips to improve their efficiency and stay more focused. Reminding yourself why you’re doing the task helps too, it makes you realize the importance.
Happy studying!
