Stay focused – improve your study productivity

Studying can be difficult, particularly when there is a lot to learn. Fortunately, there are ways in which students can make their studies easier and maintain focus, thereby maximising the benefits of those long hours spent in front of the books.

Have something to aim for

Dividing studies up into smaller goals can make the larger task seem much more manageable.
After spending a few hours trying to take in the same thing, it’s easy to start wondering what the point is, but focusing on smaller targets can make achieving goals much quicker.  Taking a short break after each studying session to get a bit of fresh air or a cup of tea can also help with concentration.

Prioritising is essential.  If time is of the essence, then it is a good idea to get the most important things out of the way first.  Tackle other tasks only when these are done.  This type of time management can help make the goal move nearer while reducing the usual stress of dealing with numerous tasks.  Studying for 10-15 minutes at a time can be more beneficial than most people believe, and this time frame is much easier to fit into a schedule.

Create the right environment

Those who need to study should do so in the right environment.  There are plenty of distractions within the home, so finding a room or corner where there is no TV, radio or phone can help a lot. Switch off the mobile phone and make an effort to study when there is no one else around to provide further distractions.  Those who live with family will find this difficult, but it should not take long to work out when the best times for studying are.

All items needed for studying, such as books, paper and any computing devices, should be kept on hand.  Keep the area tidy so that everything can be found quickly when needed.  If it is not possible to create this type of environment at home, then make good use of the local library, which will offer a quiet environment in which to work.

Additional help from technology

There are plenty of apps out there that can help with studying.  For those who use Google Chrome, one such app is called StayFocusd.  It is one of a range of Google apps  designed to help the user cut down on the amount of time wasted while on the internet.  The app works by limiting an individual’s time spent on certain websites.  The user can set this app to block social networking sites or entertainment sites after a certain amount of browsing.  The settings are personal, so the sites chosen to be blocked and the length of time allowed on them is at the discretion of the user.

The main thing when studying is to not give up when things get tough.  Everyone has difficulty with studying, so when there is a problem, it is acceptable to take a step back and regroup.  Those who hit a snag and then panic will get even less done.  Changing habits that get in the way of successful studying can be difficult, but it is always important to try.

Photo Credit: Univers beeldbank

Category: Health