10 Ways To Stay Focused While Studying
While in college, staying focused while studying can seem nearly impossible. With so many tasks on your to-do list, you can start to feel distracted from your goal of studying. But, studying doesn’t need to feel like that much of a challenge. Here are 10 ways to stay focused while studying:
1. Listen To Music
Music is a great way to keep yourself focused on studying. There are so many great options of music to listen to while studying. Lo-Fi music is the perfect option for someone who prefers a calming and relaxing environment while studying. Instrumental music is also perfect for studying becasuse there are no words or lyrics, so it’s easy to play it in the background. However, everyone has different music tastes and it’s important to find the genre of music that inspires you to focus while studying. You can also listen to motivational podcasts if that helps motivate you to study.
2. Find A Cozy Study Spot
Whether it’s the library or your bed, finding the perfect cozy study spot is essential to staying focused while studying. You want to find a place with limited distractions and a calming environment to help you stay focused on your work. It may help to also wear comfy clothing so you don’t feel restricted or uncomfortable. Just throw on your favorite sweatshirt and sweatpants and settle down in a cozy study spot. Once you find the perfect spot to study, you’ll be able to easily stay focused and on task.
3. Turn Off Your Phone Or Any Distractions
It’s necessary to avoid any distractions while studying to successfully stay on task. So, it’s important to turn off your phone or any other distraction while studying. You can put your devices in silent mode to quiet any notifications, however if you’re too tempted to constantly check your phone, you can hide it in a drawer or pocket to keep it out of sight. This is also relevant with devices such as Apple watches which will constantly ring with notifications. Keep any distractions hidden so you can focus on your study materials.
4. Stay Organized
A messy workspace can be just as distracting as a phone. So, it’s important to keep your workspace area clean and organized so you can easily study without any distractions. Having an organized workspace also fights your temptation to clean your room or workspace instead of working on your study materials. If you study well outside of your house or dorm room, you may want to find a study space that is clean and quiet to help you stay on task. So, clean your desk or make your bed so you can easily stay focused while studying.
5. Drink Lots Of Water
Not only is it important to stay organized while studying, but it’s also important to stay hydrated. Companies such as Hydroflask and Yeti make water bottles which will keep your drink icy cold while studying. You should be drinking plenty of water throughout your day, but it’s essential to drink water while studying so you can stay focused and energized. Although it may be tempting to drink gallons of caffeine, you should take a break from the energy drinks; swap out a third cup of coffee for a tall glass of ice water instead.
6. Relax
Needless to say, college is stressful. But, it’s important to take a deep breath and relax. While studying, avoid stressing about grades or test scores. You just need to do the best you can and study in the way that best suits you. The more you stress out about how much you’ve studied and your future grades, the more you will have difficulty focusing on your task. So, burn some candles, cuddle in your favorite blanket, and just relax.
7. Find Ways To Stay Entertained
Find ways to stay entertained while studying. If you are simply reading boring flashcards or skimming over textbook passages, you will get bored easily and not want to study. So, find fun ways to study and acquire knowledge. Websites like Quizlet make it easy to enjoy studying through fun game brains and timed challenges. Find ways to make studying fun, so you don’t get bored and stay focused on the task.
8. Take Breaks
Similar to how you need to relax, it’s important to take breaks during your studying. Every 15-20 minutes, you can take a quick walk around your house or grab a little snack. You shouldn’t drain yourself out while studying. If you study for hours on end with no breaks, you will eventually get worn out and tired. This will make it even more difficult to stay focused while studying. It’s important to take breaks to stay energized so you can effectively focus on your study materials.
9. Stay Energized And Fueled
There are many different ways to keep yourself energized and fueled while studying. You can keep a yummy snack by your side like a bag of nuts or bowl of fruit. You can also drink some hot tea while studying. Hot tea will help calm and relax your body while assuring you stay fueled. Try to avoid studying late at night and study in the middle of day when you are the most energized and awake. If you studying late at night you’ll quickly get tired and you won’t be energized enough for the next day.
10. Reward Yourself
Most importantly, don’t forget to reward yourself after a long study break. You worked so hard preparing for your test or project, so it’s necessary to treat yourself after lots of hardwork. You can call up some friends and hang out. You can also buy yourself a yummy dinner or ice cream cone to reward yourself with some delicious food. Don’t forget to reward yourself for all of your hard work. You deserve a little treat after spending so much time studying.
