Play music/ noise WITHOUT lyrics
I've found that I pay way more attention to my work when I'm not trying to listen and comprehend lyrics to songs around me. I almost never play music with lyrics, and when I do, I try to make it new music. Not only is this a great way to have some background noise, but it can also introduce you to new artists!
Here's my very own Spotify playlist that has my favorite classical music:
- https://open.spotify.com/playlist/71GitEIjmeU4D2t2sD1K63?si=vn8wM5NMRPqi1s6aV4qmAQ -
Feel free to check out some of my other playlists if you want ;D
If you're working on a computer, separate your work from play.
It's so easy to get caught up in other, more fun activities on the world wide web. To combat this, I create at least 2 different windows, one for my leisure and one for all of my schoolwork. If you want even more organization, categorize each subject into different windows so that you can finish one task/ subject before going onto the next.
Don't just switch to a different task if you're having trouble.
Although this may seem counterproductive, try to work out the problem for at least 5 more minutes before moving on. That way, you can write down exactly what you're having difficulty with. Also, this makes sure that you aren't just skipping something because you don't want to do it.
Quit out of messages & put your phone in another room.
It may seem obvious, but this one is the tip I have the most difficulty with. It's super-duper hard to stop watching TikTok or Instagram or Snapping your friends, but I promise you will get so much more work done without the distraction. If you aren't able to remove your phone from the room, power it off.
If you live with others, let them know that you're going to be studying and to leave you alone.
Studying works so much better when you have no outside distractions hindering your focus. Tell your family/ those you live with to quiet down for [however long you're studying] and to not disturb you.
Take breaks!!!
The brain can only handle a certain amount of information at a time. Don't sit staring at your notes/ computer for 2 hours without any breaks. Not only is it horrible for your health, but eventually you will be reading information just to forget it in the next five minutes. Taking a break does NOT mean watching a 20 minute show or going to the mall, but just try to get up for a little while. Stretch, walk around your house, drink some water/ fill up your cup, or do some jumping jacks.
Eat food.
Ah yes, the mighty nourishment. Food has been shown to help improve focus. Students who ate breakfast tended to do better than those who didn't. Citrus is great for energy and may boost mental performance (fruit, in general, can help). Protein is great for your body and fats will give you energy, too. Try to stay away from junk food or sweetened drinks, for these might give you energy temporarily, but will lead to a crash or cause you to overeat.
Lastly, analyze and rewrite your notes.
Not only is it beneficial to go over your notes, rewording them can help you understand the topic better. When you must find new ways to express ideas, it forces your brain to analyze the information and this can help you learn. There's a phrase similar to this that goes "If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough". Funnily enough, it was Albert Einstein who said this!
I hope you enjoyed reading this! Now I should probably go finish my homework :P
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