Somewhat unsurprisingly to me, I learned this week that 95 percent of people say that they struggle to focus. As finals week comes to a close for me, I find myself looking back on not only how I performed on my exams or what grades I might have gotten, but also at the studying techniques I learned and gained along the way: how to focus. Beware right now that I mean really, truly, focus your all, not sit down with your phone, type your name and then reward yourself with a 30-minute break (It's okay, we all do it). As finals continue for other schools, I figured I would take the time to share some tips and tricks on what focus means and how to do it.
1. Keep food at your desk
While it's important not to get more into the bag of chips than the actual essay, glucose helps your brain focus. If you're hungry, your brain is going to refuse to concentrate. Before you even sit down, get your snack supplies for the night (buying in bulk helps to avoid urgent runs that disrupt your studying), and then you're ready to get to it.
2. Turn off the phone... yes, really
This is the one that most people (millennials especially) struggle to do. Your concerns are understandable, but think about it: most texts and phone calls are not even urgent! If you really can't turn the phone completely off, at least try and figure out some way to keep yourself away from it. There are apps out there that try and motivate you not to use your phone, such as 'Forest.' It costs money, but it's helped me save a lot of time and get things done that I otherwise would've been too distracted to do.
3. Get a good chair to get comfy in
You'll probably be here for a while. Constantly shifting around trying to find a comfortable, cozy spot in a hard, cold chair is going to distract you from being productive. At the same time, be careful not to get too comfy- you don't want to be falling asleep in the middle of your essay! I make this mistake with my bed a lot. I love my bed more than a lot of things, but I always get more done when I'm studying at my desk in a cushy swivel chair.
4. Time yourself
Even though you probably hate deadlines, admit it: they still force you to get stuff done. Setting a timer gives you motivation (even if only a little) to finish- or at least start- an assignment before time is up so you can move on to other things (like watching Netflix without the burden of an unfinished paper hanging over your head).
5. Shut off everything
If you aren't using your computer and you're just studying out of the books, turn off the computer too. Hide your electronics if you must or have someone else put them away for you.
6. Clear your desk
It may help to have your desk serve somewhat as a role model: clear and concentrated on one thing, your assignment, completely free of distractions. Put away anything that you don't need and try to be organized about what you do.
7. Put on headphones
Got a noisy roommate? Block out their phone calls or movies with some headphones, or earplugs- whatever works for you. Make sure that whatever you decide to opt for is, above all, comfortable.
8. Make a list
Prioritizing is one of the best ways to get things done. Everybody is different, so if you don't already have this figured out, it would be a good idea to decide on if you work better getting the easy stuff done first to get yourself on a roll or the harder things before all else to feel more relieved.
9. Reward yourself
Motivate yourself with whatever will work: a trip out to get your favorite food, an episode of your favorite TV show, or even just the upcoming break to take a nap and listen to music.
10. Visualize your goal
You can simply picture it in your head and work towards it mentally, or you can also try adding a physical component. Notecards with motivational sayings work for some, for example.
11. Don't be afraid to take breaks, but discipline them
The 'study break' can be a very controversial item. How long for? What should I do during it? It's okay to binge-watch a whole season of House of Cards during my break, right? I can take a break after writing two sentences, right?
The answer is no, you really probably shouldn't. What you do is up to you, so choose to discipline for the sake of a genuine break later: work now, then indulge. It's all about the balance.
To those of you who have yet to take your finals or are simply in the midst of them, happy studying and good luck!
