Studying for exam and test can be difficult and stressful. I know many of us find it hard to concentrate on the task we're trying to accomplish in limited time. It's completely normal to procrastinate but when you start feeling stressed and anxious, you tend to find yourself redirecting your important attention by searching for entertainment, apart from study.
However, there are some short simple hacks that can really help you focus while studying.
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1. Find a suitable studying environment
Your bedroom or coffee shop isn't always the best possible place. Find a nice, quite place with a large, comfortable chair, like your sitting room, preferably without a TV or magazines.
Someone would recommend the library as it's quite. For me, I'd say no for it as I find the ventilation of most of the library are pretty bad, there's no fresh air movement and this would make us feel sleepy.
2. Collect revision materials before you begin studying
Do not plan to look for pens, highlighters, rulers, etc, in the middle of studying. It can be really distracting at times, so prepare everything you think you need.
3. Find a study partner
Pick someone who is sensible and focused like you are on the same task. Don't always pick your best friend, as you may ruin both your concentration by chitchatting. Having a study partner is a great idea, as you can bounce ideas of each others, and see things from a different perspective as yourself.
However, not everyone find this method working, just like me. I used to study alone. I can only stay focus when I am alone in the room, I am easily distracted by others, even by the slightest of movement like sneezing or the clicking of pens. If you share the same thought with me, I'd recommend you to find a absolute silent place and study alone.
4. Collect suitable revision snacks
No energy drinks or coffee, because sooner or later, you will crash out. Cereal bar, fruit, water, caffein free tea are good, because they are simply and effective at releasing carbohydrates which provides you energy.
You can also pour your favourite drink, whether it's a hot tea, hot choco or juice into a lovely mug, so whenever you want to drink, the mug can somehow cheer you up.
5. Take short breaks
After 45 minutes of studying take a 10 minutes break and do something different. Plan your breaks out with alarms. If your breaks are planned, you're less likely to miss them in the first place, and more importantly, less likely to 'accidentally' take more time than is needed.
Taking proper break is beneficial to your study because your brain needs time to recharge after it processes a bunch of information. In some studies, taking a break and walking around improved memory recall and simple test scores in subjects.
6. Select your study music
It's not secret that music has mood altering properties. If you listen to fast and aggressive music, you will feel excited. If you listen to slow and tranquil music, you will feel relaxed. However, there's no single genre of music that works for everyone. Overall speaking, good study music are usually instrumental or natural sounds to help maintain your energy level.
This is the most effective way to stay focus for me, whenever I was writing essay, studying for exam or even writing this blog entry, I would be listening to soft instrumental music. Study music should not include any lyrics as it would distract human speech. Look up key terms: study music, instrumental, nature and focus on YouTube or Spotify or iTunes or whatever your fav music player is.
I've uploaded and shared my favourite piece of study music here, hope you would like it and find it useful :)
Don't leave your revision to the last minutes. Plan in advance because the earlier you start, the less stress you will feel. Good luck to your exam :)
However, there are some short simple hacks that can really help you focus while studying.
.
.
.
1. Find a suitable studying environment
Your bedroom or coffee shop isn't always the best possible place. Find a nice, quite place with a large, comfortable chair, like your sitting room, preferably without a TV or magazines.
Someone would recommend the library as it's quite. For me, I'd say no for it as I find the ventilation of most of the library are pretty bad, there's no fresh air movement and this would make us feel sleepy.
2. Collect revision materials before you begin studying
Do not plan to look for pens, highlighters, rulers, etc, in the middle of studying. It can be really distracting at times, so prepare everything you think you need.
3. Find a study partner
Pick someone who is sensible and focused like you are on the same task. Don't always pick your best friend, as you may ruin both your concentration by chitchatting. Having a study partner is a great idea, as you can bounce ideas of each others, and see things from a different perspective as yourself.
However, not everyone find this method working, just like me. I used to study alone. I can only stay focus when I am alone in the room, I am easily distracted by others, even by the slightest of movement like sneezing or the clicking of pens. If you share the same thought with me, I'd recommend you to find a absolute silent place and study alone.
4. Collect suitable revision snacks
No energy drinks or coffee, because sooner or later, you will crash out. Cereal bar, fruit, water, caffein free tea are good, because they are simply and effective at releasing carbohydrates which provides you energy.
You can also pour your favourite drink, whether it's a hot tea, hot choco or juice into a lovely mug, so whenever you want to drink, the mug can somehow cheer you up.
5. Take short breaks
After 45 minutes of studying take a 10 minutes break and do something different. Plan your breaks out with alarms. If your breaks are planned, you're less likely to miss them in the first place, and more importantly, less likely to 'accidentally' take more time than is needed.
Taking proper break is beneficial to your study because your brain needs time to recharge after it processes a bunch of information. In some studies, taking a break and walking around improved memory recall and simple test scores in subjects.
6. Select your study music
It's not secret that music has mood altering properties. If you listen to fast and aggressive music, you will feel excited. If you listen to slow and tranquil music, you will feel relaxed. However, there's no single genre of music that works for everyone. Overall speaking, good study music are usually instrumental or natural sounds to help maintain your energy level.
This is the most effective way to stay focus for me, whenever I was writing essay, studying for exam or even writing this blog entry, I would be listening to soft instrumental music. Study music should not include any lyrics as it would distract human speech. Look up key terms: study music, instrumental, nature and focus on YouTube or Spotify or iTunes or whatever your fav music player is.
I've uploaded and shared my favourite piece of study music here, hope you would like it and find it useful :)
Don't leave your revision to the last minutes. Plan in advance because the earlier you start, the less stress you will feel. Good luck to your exam :)
