how to focus in study

1. Create a suitable study environment Creating a suitable study space is an essential part of any successful study session. As humans, we are creatures of habit. And for you to get into routine and stay focused on your studies, you need a dedicated study space where your brain knows it needs to study. If you’re studying from home, it’s important to try and locate your study space in an area which you don’t associate with relaxing. Understandably, for students at home or in university accommodation, it can be difficult to dedicate an entire room or desk to your studies. In this case, try to find a small, open section of space where you can sit each day and clear once you’ve finished studying. This could be your dining table or a shared family desk. But for those who have the opportunity to study outside of their home, this can create a great separation from your studies and allow you to ‘switch off’ when you do return home. For some, the quiet of a library is their haven, while others thrive in the light bustle of a local coffee shop with their headphones plugged in. Whatever your choice of location, just ensure your study space passes all the following criteria: - Clear surfaces – With enough space to comfortably hold all the mugs of coffee, notebooks, textbooks, pens, pencils, laptop, and anything else you may need to have an effective study session; - Comfortable seating – When selecting somewhere to study, it’s important for you to pick a place that has the right furniture to promote good posture for prolonged periods of time. Whether you’re using an ergonomic chair with the right back support, or even a standing desk, sitting upright is not only crucial for good posture and health, but it’s also been shown to increase energy levels; - Power supply – This is especially important if you’re studying at a library or coffee shop. If your laptop doesn’t have a long battery life, you need to ensure there’s a power outlet close by. 2. Set clear, precise goals One of the key motivations behind being able to stay focused while studying is to understand exactly why you want to study in the first place. This doesn’t just mean writing down “I want to do well in my exams,” but being precise with the detail. If you want to achieve a certain grade, write it down; if you hope to attend a particular university, include it in your goals – anything you can do to make your goals as vivid and as ‘real’ as possible will make them more impactful. Some examples of goals you may want to achieve can include: “I want to achieve [insert grades] in my A-Levels so I can study [subject] at [insert dream university].” “I want to develop my [insert skill] so I am prepared for the workplace.” “I want to cultivate healthy study habits so I can always do my best.” Whatever your goals, write each of them down and keep the list visible and displayed near your workspace. This way, you can remind yourself of your motivations for studying each time you feel your concentration slipping. 3. Create a study schedule Do you ever find yourself sitting down at your desk or table, opening your laptop and thinking “now what?” One of the other critical components of helping you to stay focused on your studies and achieve your goals is to create and implement a study schedule that helps you establish a routine. Over the past year, not having a rigid school or university timetable has left many of us trying to navigate a new way of managing our time. For some, it’s been a chance to fit in studying around a busy schedule of other commitments, while others have struggled to manage their own time. Setting a study timetable is a great way to track your progress towards your goals, establish a routine, as well as provide you with a sense of accomplishment at the end of your day of studies. So, even if your usual routine has gone out the window, you know you can still add some rigidity to your day with an effective study schedule. Here’s our top tips to make one that fits in around your lifestyle: - Include all your goals/deadlines– Are you studying for upcoming exams? Or perhaps you just need your timetable until you return to school? Whatever your ‘deadline,’ make sure you create a schedule with all these important dates in mind – it gives you a final date and achievement to aim for; - Add ‘free’ time – One of the key factors in helping you to stay focused on your studies is to allow yourself a healthy study-life balance. Schedule regular breaks, days off, and downtime in the evenings, allowing you to relax and recharge with the things you love. - Colour-code subjects and topics – Colour-coding your timetable is a great way to ensure you’re spending enough time on each subject or topic. Highlighting each subject, or even topic in a different colour will help you – visually – see if you are actually balancing out your studying effectively.