TIP #1: Eat a small snack.
Hunger is distracting, so the right snack can improve your focus. Grab a healthy snack that combines sugar with fibre, like a piece of fruit. Your body will break these sugars down more slowly and feed your brain for longer.
TIP #2: Turn off your phone.
Most calls, texts and push notifications are not urgent, but they will destroy your focus. Ideally, turn off your phone completely or place it in another room. If you need your phone to help with your assignment, put it in airplane mode, focus mode, or Do Not Disturb mode to minimize distractions. If you need some strategies to help you manage your phone use more effectively, check out the strategies in this video.
TIP #3: Set a timer.
Most people can only focus for short periods of time, especially if the task requires a lot of brain power. Try the Pomodoro Method to help you get more done in shorter periods of time. This method gets you to set a timer, work without interruption for 15-25 minutes and then take a short break of about 5-10 minutes. During the break, do something to give your brain and body a rest from that focused work. Get up and move around or stretch. Walk away from any screens. Get a glass of water or a light snack. When the break is over, go back to work for another short, focused period.
TIP #4: Sit in a comfortable chair.
Sit up straight, make sure your feet can touch the floor and that you have everything you need within easy reach. Poor posture and constant reaching can trigger tension and pain in your body, especially in your neck, back and shoulders. These aches and pains are a distraction you should avoid. Reduce muscle tension further by taking breaks to stretch and move your body.
TIP #5: Shut off anything you are not using.
Your TV, phone, computer, etc. will only distract you if you are not using them to help you study. Turn them off and focus on the task at hand. You can reward yourself with some video games, binge watching or social media scrolling when you are done.
TIP #6: Clear your desk.
Clutter is distracting. Keep out only what you need to complete your assignment. It will make it easier to focus, but it will also make it easier to find what you need when you need it, so you can finish faster.
TIP #7: Put on headphones.
Listening to the right kind of music can help you concentrate by blocking out distractions. Classical music, white noise, and nature sounds work best because their steady rhythms are easy for your brain to tune out. Most music is fine—as long as it doesn’t tempt you to sing or dance. Making a playlist ahead of time helps you stay focused without constantly picking new songs. Avoid heavy metal and hip hop while studying, as their intense rhythms can make it harder to concentrate.
TIP #8: Make a to do list.
Making a short list of your top priority tasks helps you stay focused and motivated. While it’s also useful to keep a full to-do list, identifying your priorities helps you concentrate on getting the most important things done first. Take this strategy to the next level by combining it with Tip #3: estimate the amount of time needed for each task on your list and set a timer to help you really stay focused on the task at hand.
