Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 2: Preparing to study with mindfulness
• Part 2 of 2: Staying focused while studying
• Tips
• Warnings

Concentrating while studying can be particularly difficult, especially when the study material is not one of your favorite subjects. While studying has never been one of the most exciting aspects of school, it doesn't have to be as tedious as often thought. With a little determination and learning some effective study techniques, even the most boring topics can be overcome without wasting your attention during a study session.

To step

Part 1 of 2: Preparing to study with mindfulness

1. Find a suitable study environment. In general, it's a good idea to avoid as many distractions while studying as possible so that you can focus on what's in front of you. Find a place that looks pleasant and is comfortable for you.
   • Look for a quiet place, such as your own room or a library. If you like the fresh air, go outside to a place that is reasonably free of distractions and where you can access the Internet if necessary.
   • Keep in mind that everyone has their own preference for the right study environment. While some people like a quiet place, others thrive in a vibrant environment that resembles white noise.
   • If you don't know what your study preferences are, experiment by studying in different places, in a group or alone, with or without music, etc. Your ability to concentrate and be productive in different environments will become apparent soon enough .
2. Collect all your study materials. Study materials are things like notes, textbooks, syllabi, papers, markers, or whatever else you need to focus and be productive while studying; this includes a snack such as a muesli bar or nuts, and a bottle of water.
   • You should have all the material at your fingertips, so that you don't interrupt yourself because you have to grab things while you have just started studying.
3. Clean up your study space. Put away materials you don't need while studying and keep your space tidy to reduce stress and help you concentrate. Having various things around you that do not directly contribute to your concentration is only a potential distraction.
   • This includes disposable packaging, wads of paper and other items.
4. Turn off unnecessary electronics. Turn off any electronics you don't need, especially cell phones, media players, and possibly your computer (assuming you don't need a computer to study the curriculum).
   • Your laptop or computer can be a huge source of distraction when you're trying to focus.
5. Stick to a routine. Make a study schedule and stick to it. This will make your study time a habit, so that you will be more inclined to pursue your study plans. Pay attention to your energy level during the day. Do you have more energy during the day or in the evening (and are you therefore better able to concentrate)? Studying the trickier topics can help when you have the most energy.
   • Once you know when you have more energy during the day, you can make sure to study at those times, which will improve your ability to focus and concentrate.
6. Find a study partner. Sometimes going through the curriculum with someone else can help break the monotony of studying, clarify confusing concepts, discuss thoughts about them with the other, and see things from a different perspective. That partner can help you keep up with your learning and focus on the task at hand.
   • Some people find study partners distracting. Find a study partner who is sensible and focused, and perhaps an even more attentive student in class than you are. That way you keep demanding from yourself that you don't fall behind the other.
7. Think about a helping hand. Before you start studying, it is important to think of something that can serve as a reward when you have successfully studied. For example, after going through your history notes for an hour, talk to your roommate about the day, make dinner, or watch your favorite TV show. An incentive can motivate you to focus on your studies for a period of time, after which you will reward yourself for having continuously focused on your work during that time.
   • For bigger projects, come up with a bigger incentive to reward yourself for your extra hard work.

Part 2 of 2: Staying focused while studying

1. Find an effective study method. Finding an effective study method that is right for you can help you stay focused on your studies. Again, every person studies differently, so you will have to experiment a bit to find a method that will give you the best focus. The fact is, the more ways you find ways to experience and cope with what you are learning, the more likely you are to keep busy with the task and absorb what you are learning. Sometimes simply rereading lectures, notes, and previously taken tests can serve as an effective way to study, but some other study methods include:
   • Making flash cards. For your vocabulary or memorizing academic terms, note cards and flash cards, when reviewed regularly, can help you memorize words, terms, and concepts.
   • To draw. Some curriculum requires repeated review of structures and diagrams.By copying these diagrams and drawing them yourself, you can create and visualize whatever it is you are trying to study, thus helping you remember it better.
   • Creating an overview. Creating an outline can help outline larger concepts including the smaller details. It can also help create visual layouts and groups of information that can aid in recalling details as the exam approaches.
   • Using extensive questioning. Extensive questioning is basically producing an explanation for why something you learn is true. It's like arguing why a fact or statement is important. You can also use this method to talk aloud about concepts and familiarize yourself with the material by justifying and explaining its importance.
2. Be an active learner. When you are reading or listening to a lesson, try to immerse yourself in the material. This means that instead of just perceiving the material, you are challenging yourself. Ask questions about what is being taught, link the material to real life, and compare it with other information you have learned throughout your life, and discuss and explain this new teaching material with other people.
   • Take an active part in your study so that the lesson material becomes more meaningful and you are better able to focus on it, which makes it easier to concentrate on it.
3. Practice some mental concentration strategies. Working on improving your concentration takes time and patience. After practicing some of these strategies, you will likely start to see improvement within a few days. Some examples of concentration strategies are:
   • Be in the here and now. These simple and effective strategies will help your wandering mind get back to the task at hand: When you notice that your thoughts are no longer on your studies, tell yourself "Be in the here and now" and try to take the reins of your wandering thoughts, and bring the focus back to your curriculum.
   • For example, you are in class and your attention drifts from the presentation to the fact that you are craving coffee and the last bagel in the cafeteria has probably disappeared by now. By saying to yourself now, "Be there," bring your attention back to the lecture and keep it there for as long as possible.
   • Keep an eye on your mental wanderings. Make a note whenever you find yourself drifting away from what you need to focus on. As you get better and better at returning to the current task, the number of times you break your concentration will become less and less frequent.
4. Allow yourself some time to worry. Research has shown that when people set aside a designated time to worry about things they are stressed about, they worry 35% less within four weeks. This proves that if you allow yourself to worry within a certain amount of time, you will spend less time worrying and become distracted when you need to focus on other things.
   • If you ever find yourself concerned about something while trying to focus and concentrate, don't forget that you have a special time to worry about things. You can even try the "be here now" method to regain your concentration.
   • For example, give yourself half an hour before you start studying to worry about upcoming exams, your family, or whatever comes to your mind. Only worry during this selected time so that when you need to study, you can focus all your attention and focus on it.
5. Set yourself study goals. While they may not be the most interesting topics to study, you can shift your perspective as you learn to make it easier to focus. By setting goals, you can change the learning experience from having to "get through" to reaching milestones, thus having constant moments of progression throughout the study session.
   • For example, instead of the mindset of "I have to learn all of Chapter 6 tonight," set yourself a goal such as "I went through paragraphs 1-3 at 4:30 am and then take a walking break." That way, a study session transforms from a big, daunting task into smaller, more achievable pieces. This breaking up of study time will increase your willingness to focus and achieve your learning goals.
6. Study with short breaks. Normally, the most effective study schedule where you can stay focused on a task is studying for about an hour at a time, followed by a 5-10 minute break. Take a short break to give your mind time to relax, so your brain stays productive and ready to absorb information.
   • Get moving. After sitting for about an hour, get up and do some stretching. You can do some yoga, push-ups, or any other form of exercise that will get your blood flowing. These short breaks will make your study sessions more productive and mindful.

Tips

• Try to avoid talking to others as much as possible to help you concentrate better.
• Imagine images in what you are learning so that those images in your mind remind you of the subject.
• Visualize what you learn, or try to link it to real aspects of your own life. It can help you retrieve details at a later time.
• Read your study material aloud to yourself; sometimes hearing something out loud can help clarify confusing parts.
• Take a study break of up to 20 minutes every two hours so that you have some time to relax and concentrate better. Grab something to eat, drink some water, or go outside.
• Engage as many senses as possible so you have more ways to remember information.
• Keep in mind that your brain needs time to transition between subjects. For example, if you study physics for an hour and then immediately switch to English, your brain needs the first 10 minutes to adjust to the new subject. Consider doing a few easier exercises during this transition.

Warnings

• Do not sit down at night before a test. Blocking is a less effective way of absorbing information and can cause stress, making it more difficult to study.