We could go on and on about how important it is to study, but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s incredibly dull. Even when you’re learning about a topic you love, it’s still hard to make yourself sit down and focus on it when you could be out having fun instead. Of course, the sooner you buckle down and get your work done, the quicker you can get out there and enjoy yourself. When it’s so difficult to concentrate, though, how can you ensure that you’re making the most from your study session?
Be comfortable, not relaxed
Trying to work when you’re uncomfortable is almost impossible. Whether the room is too hot, your clothes too restricting or your seat too hard on your backside, there’s a lot that can throw you off. However, the complete opposite of this can be equally off-putting. If you make yourself too comfortable, you’ll be far too relaxed to get any work done. It’s all about finding a balance.
Sit at a table or desk rather than on your bed, but do so in reasonably comfortable attire. Dressing down too much won’t put you in the right mindset, but you don’t need to sit there studying in a suit.
Declutter your clutter
Benjamin Franklin once said that “for every hour spent organizing, an hour is earned.” You can never underestimate the power of being organized, especially when it comes to studying. The less clutter you have lying around, the easier you’ll be able to focus. Everything you need will have its own place, and you’ll never get stressed about losing something. To begin with, you might feel like you’re wasting time cleaning up the space around you, but it’ll pay off in the long run.
Plus, keeping everything organized means you avoid stress later down the line when you need to find things. If you avoid getting stressed, your brain will have a better chance of absorbing the information you need to learn.
Remove the electronics
One of the biggest distractions surrounding us today is electronic devices. Phones, laptops, televisions – they’re all offputting. Unfortunately, it’s likely you’ll need access to a computer – or at least the internet – when studying, so you can’t just remove them from your life completely. However, you can change how they impact you.
Keep unnecessary technology away from your study environment whenever you need to buckle down. If you have to use the internet, log out of all your social media accounts until you’ve done what you need to. Also, consider asking friends to hold onto things like your cell phone or TV remote until you’ve reached your goal for the day. It’s not weak to ask for help when you’re struggling to focus. What matters is that you get the job done.
Plug in or out
Do you work well in silence, or do you prefer to have music playing? Whichever condition works best for you, make sure that your study environment incorporates it. If you enjoy having something going in the background, why not consider listening to a film soundtrack or something classical. Having your favorite songs playing might make you feel better, but you’re also more likely to end up sitting there singing along rather than studying. Playing a piece of music without words will fill the silence, but won’t entice you to practice your vocal skills.
If silence works for you, consider studying in a library. It won’t work for everyone, especially if you prefer solitude, but it could be worth a try. You’ll be less likely to get distracted from your work, and there will hopefully be some useful resources available there.
Studying is a chore, and it’s rarely ever fun to do. However, if you want good grades, then it has to be done. You’ll be grateful for it in the long run; you just have to make the sacrifice now to say goodbye to your social life. Trust us – you won’t regret it.
