Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Stay focused while you study
• Method 2 of 3: Motivate yourself to keep learning
• Method 3 of 3: Use your time effectively
• Tips
• Warnings

Do you find it difficult to stay focused while you are studying? If you want to be able to study longer without getting bored, find a place to work without distractions. Take small breaks to keep your head fresh, rotate courses to keep things interesting, and motivate yourself with small rewards. While it is sometimes inevitable that you will have to study for hours on end, you can do your best to learn little by little instead of studying the night before an exam.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Stay focused while you study

1. Keep your phone away so you can't see it. Put your phone in a drawer or in your backpack so you're not tempted to use it. Also, stay away from other distracting devices unless you need them for learning.

   Tip: If you need your tablet or computer to learn or write a report, download an app that blocks distracting websites so you can stay focused.

   
   
2. Eat a healthy snack before you start learning. Feeling hungry is distracting, so eat some yogurt, oatmeal, or fruit before going to work. It's also a good idea to keep a granola bar or some nuts on hand in case you get hungry.
   • Healthy snacks with protein and complex carbohydrates give you the fuel you need to stay focused. Fruits, nuts, and whole grains are good choices. Avoid sweets and unhealthy snacks, which will cause your blood sugar to fluctuate.
3. Choose a specific place to study. Find a place without distractions, such as an area of ​​your house where there is no walking all the time or the library. Try to use that place (or a number of different designated places) when you start learning. If you keep studying in the same place (s), you will subconsciously start to feel that it is time to go to work when you sit there.
   • In addition, study at a desk or table with enough space to distribute your subject matter. Avoid learning in bed as you can be distracted when you feel too comfortable.
   • Keep your area tidy, clean, and organized, which can help keep your mind clear. A untidy workplace will also make your head feel full.
   • Try to study in a place with natural light, which can help you feel mentally activated.
4. Switch tasks and subjects to avoid getting bored. If you have multiple tasks or subjects to work on, work on one of them for an hour, then move on to another. Even if you are learning for a test and you cannot switch subjects, it helps to focus on one part or chapter for about an hour and then move on to another.
   • For example, if you're learning for a history test about World War II, study your notes on the events leading up to the war, take a break to eat a snack or stretch, then work on the European front. You could also learn from your book for an hour, then move on to learning with flashcards.
   • You'll be more efficient and hold on more if you switch tasks instead of forcing yourself to focus on just one thing.
5. Learn for difficult subjects first to get them done. If you finish your most difficult or boring task first, it will be easier to keep studying for a longer period of time. Tackle difficult tasks while still feeling fresh, and save your easiest tasks for when you start to feel tired.
   • For example, if you are not a fan of chemistry, start by doing exercises for the chemistry test you have the next day. When you are done with that, you can move on to the subjects you like the most.
6. Listen to music while you learn if it helps you focus. Music helps some people stay focused, but it doesn't work for everyone. If you don't find it distracting, listen to instrumental music while you study to stay focused.
   • Classical music is a good choice because it does not contain any distracting lyrics. You could also try listening to atmospheric sounds, electronic music, or nature sounds.
   • Create a one-hour playlist to keep track of the time instead of listening to random songs. That way you will know when to take a break or switch to another task.

Method 2 of 3: Motivate yourself to keep learning

1. Write your goals in a calendar or on a whiteboard. It helps you to commit to your goals when you see them written in a clear place. Put a calendar or whiteboard in your workplace and write down the things you need to achieve.If you don't have a calendar or whiteboard, write your goal down clearly in your notebook or on a piece of paper.

   Tip: In addition to writing down your learning goals, try to tell your friends or family about it. Telling other people about the things you need to achieve can help you stick to them.

   
   
2. Take a break every hour to stay fresh. You may feel tempted to study for hours on end, but you will quickly lose motivation that way. Your body and brain need breaks, so take a 10-minute break every hour. Go for a walk, grab a snack, or stretch, then go back to work.
   • Don't do anything that distracts you too much during your break. For example, don't turn on the television, because then you might become interested in what's going on and stop studying. Likewise, you may want to avoid going on social media if you know that you tend to keep scrolling once you start.
   • Find a natural break during your study time to stop, instead of stopping suddenly while you're doing something. It's better to wait 15 to 30 minutes before taking a break than to stop and forget what you were doing.
3. Try to tie the material to your personal interests. Find ways to relate your studies to your life. Take a stand in history class, or tie physics topics to your daily experiences. Stay open to a topic and allow it to grab your attention, even if it may seem uninteresting at first.
   • It takes a lot less effort to motivate yourself to learn when you are interested in a topic.
   • If you just can't get interested in a topic, do your best to make it fun. For example, if you like to draw, draw graphs and sketches of the concepts you are learning about.
4. Give yourself a small reward when you finish a task. Knowing that there is a treat in store for you will help you stick to your studies. Rewards for work completed could include playing a video game, watching TV, having a snack, or buying yourself a piece of clothing or accessory.
   • Don't be too hard on yourself if you don't finish your task, but make sure you don't reward yourself until you've actually completed the task.
   • Writing down a specific learning goal and associated reward in your notebook can help you stick to your goal. For example, write, "Task: Review History Notes for 2 hours. Reward: Play video games for 30 minutes. "
5. Study in a group to hold each other accountable. Form a group with classmates who are serious about learning and who will not tempt you not to do your job. Quiz each other, explain concepts to each other, and help each other not to postpone your tasks.
   • Explaining concepts to others is a great way to process and retain information. Studying with others can also fill in gaps in your notes.

Method 3 of 3: Use your time effectively

1. Reduce your workload by learning more efficiently. Always read your task or exam sheet before you start learning to make sure you are focusing on the right topics. You can also save time by asking your teacher to explain topics that confuse you and answer questions you may have. This saves the time you would spend looking up those answers. Also, prioritize the most important pieces of information you need to know so that you can study them first.
   • When you study for hours, it is important to use that time in the right way.
   • For example, as soon as you get your exam sheet, go through it and highlight the main topics you need to learn for. If you have any questions, ask your teacher so you don't have to waste time trying to find the answers on your own. Then determine which topics you should spend the most time on, and start with that.
2. Prepare your study place before you start learning. Make sure you have everything you need so you don't have to stop every few minutes to get something. Place your textbooks, pens and pencils, notebooks, and other study materials neatly at your workplace. This way you can easily access everything you need without having to take an unplanned break.
   • Let's say you are learning for math, for example. Then you need your material (eg your task sheet, textbook, etc.), calculator, graph paper, a pencil, eraser, water, and a healthy snack.
3. Plan your study moments in advance. Estimate how much time you need to spend on each task, add 10% extra time to be sure, and then schedule blocks for your tasks. Set priorities, plan your most difficult and important tasks first, and remember to take a short break about every hour.
   • For example, if you are going to study for four hours, schedule the first two hours for your important physics test. Then switch the third hour to math homework, and read your history notes through the fourth hour. If you have time to spare, learn a little further for your physics test.
   • Also make a weekly list for your upcoming tasks. Fill in fixed time blocks, such as lessons, work, and other activities, and then fill in your flexible time with learning moments and other tasks.
4. Break down overwhelming tasks into smaller steps. Tasks such as, "Learn for History Exam," or "Create Profile Assignment" can seem intimidating and unapproachable. Break large tasks into small pieces so that you are not overwhelmed.
   • For example, if you're studying for an exam, start by going through old tests and writing down specific topics you had trouble with. Then go through your notes, divide the course into topics, and then study one topic at a time.
   • Smaller, approachable learning tasks could also include creating textbook summaries, flashcards, and testing yourself.
5. Do your best to schedule your learning sessions over a longer period of time, rather than blocking out at the last minute. Whenever possible, try to plan ahead, and give yourself as much time as you can to learn little by little. It is better to learn three times for three hours than to learn for nine hours in one sitting. If you make time for several shorter learning sessions, you will hold more information in the long run.

   Avoid studying all night long: If you still have to block the evening for a test, make sure you still get a good night's sleep. If you don't sleep long enough, it will be more difficult to concentrate when the test is taken.

   
   
6. Reduce your workload if you have too much to do. If you find it difficult to make time for your schoolwork, take stock of your responsibilities. Ask yourself if there are any lower priority tasks or activities that take up too much of your time. If necessary, consider quitting any of these things to make more time in your schedule.
   • For example, imagine that school, a part-time job, basketball, and singing lessons take up all of your time. School and work are priorities, so you can't stop. If basketball is really important to you, quit singing lessons for a while. Then see if you can play basketball again when the season is over.

Tips

• Set priorities and avoid wasting time studying material you already know well.
• If possible, schedule study times at times of the day when you are most productive.
• If you have trouble scheduling your time and feel overwhelmed, speak to a teacher or mentor.

Warnings

• Remember that your health is important too. Sleep, a healthy diet, and exercise are all essential, so make sure you have time to take care of yourself.