Ten tips to help you focus while studying

The best practice of concentration, no matter if you studying Biology or playing pool is to focus at the task at hand and eliminate distractions. Focusing while studying can be one of the difficult things to do, I know some of you are already agreeing with me right now but the next time you say that think of this: We all have the ability to concentrate sometimes. Think of the times when you were “lost” in something you enjoy be it sport, playing music, a good game or a movie. Total concentration right?

But at other times while you studying your mind wanders from one thing to another, your worries distract you, outside distraction take you away before you know it or the books are boring, difficult and/or not interesting to you.
These tips will help you control your concentration while studying:

1. “Here I study”
Get a dedicated space, chair, table, lighting and environment
Avoid your cellphone or telephone
Put up a sign to avoid being disturbed or interrupted
If you like music in the background, OK, but don’t let it be a distraction.

2. Stick to a routine, efficient study schedule
Accommodate your day/nighttime energy levels

3. Focus
Before you begin studying, take a few minutes to summarize a few objectives, gather what you will need, and think of a general strategy of accomplishment

4. Incentives
create an incentive if necessary for successfully completing a task, such as calling a friend, a food treat, a walk, etc.
For special projects such as term papers, design projects, long book reviews, set up a special incentive

5. Change topics
Changing the subject you study every one to two hours for variety

6. Vary your study activities
Alternate reading with more active learning exercises
Ask yourself how you could increase your activity level while studying? Perhaps a group will be best? Creating study questions?

Ask your teacher for alternative strategies for learning. The more active your learning, the better.

7. Take regular, scheduled breaks that fit you
Do something different from what you’ve been doing (e.g., walk around if you’ve been sitting), and in a different area. Remember that your breaks shouldn’t take more than 20 minutes so get back to studying after break.

8. Rewards
Give yourself a reward when you’ve completed a task

9. 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.

10. Get Motivated
If you do your revision well and prepared for the exam, you will do fine. Get to a point with your revision so you can enjoy the exam when it happens. Do not think that the exam is a big deal; think of it as something to challenge your learning