5 Top Tips for Better Focus While You Study

Exam season is always around the corner, and from the moment the new school year begins you are being reminded about it, and the mocks that always come before. It can be hard to focus on your studies, especially when you are stressed by the reminders and feel like they are far enough away that you have time. However, the best way to reach exam success is by studying regularly and getting into good habits early. We have five great tips for focusing better on your studies.

#1 Organise Your Space
The last thing you want is a workspace that is filled with clutter and mess, so you need to take the time to sort your space out and get things organised. Dust your desk, get rid of the clutter and ornaments, and give yourself a spacious place to really focus on your work. Even if you believe that organised chaos works best for you, try this method out, you’ll be surprised by how effective it is.

#2 Get Rid of Distractions
You don’t need distractions while you study because you won’t end up getting anything done. If you find the television on in the background steals your attention too much, remove it from the situation or at least hide the remote somewhere that you aren’t going to be bothered to get it. The same goes for anything on your desk that you find yourself focusing on instead of work. Clear your mind, and leave your studies as the only thing for you to focus on.

#3 Listen to Music
Despite what you may have heard, listening to music isn’t always a distraction while you work, and it can actually improve your motivation and productivity. This is because when we listen to music we enjoy, it makes our body produce more dopamine – which is responsible for making us feel good when we do things that we enjoy.

This makes us more willing to work, and it can increase our levels of productivity as a result. Additionally, music that has a slow and steady beat is great for lowering cortisol levels (stress hormone) as well as blood pressure and heart rate for a more relaxing study session. According to the experts, your best bet is classical music, sounds of nature, or tracks that you really love.

#4 Take Regular Breaks
If you spend too much time hitting the books and not enough time resting, you are going to burn out. This will affect the amount of information you are able to retain as well as the effectiveness of your studies. Every hour, you should take a little time to relax and stretch your legs before returning to work. It will help your mind to recharge, and also give you some time to clear your head and forget about studying for a moment.

#5 Set a Schedule
We’ve mentioned before that organisation is key, and having a schedule that you follow each day is crucial. You can set up your own timetable so that you are studying at set times and breaking at others. It means that your day has structure as well, so you know exactly what you are doing and when, helping you to focus more and make the most out of each day you work.

To Conclude
Organisation and relaxation are so important when you are trying to learn and retain information. With our five handy pieces of advice, you are sure to get there in no time at all, and in a way that leaves you feeling more prepared than ever. It can be a really stressful time, especially when you want or need to achieve a specific grade, but we know you can do it.

About the Author
Will Tottle is a freelance writer, his blog can be seen here.