From the moment I sit down to crack open my notes, I’m distracted. Whether I’m looking at the most recently uploaded pictures on Facebook or checking to see what’s being tweeted by my friends, I can never keep myself completely focused on studying. But with exams approaching and the need to focus being greater than ever, I have a few ways you can keep your attention on the right things. Here are five tips to help make sure your studying is as effective as possible!
1. Create a study space Creating a space conducive to studying is the first step to using your time effectively. If you’re trying to study in your tiny dorm room while your roommate catches up on Grey’s Anatomy, you’re probably not going to be able to give your full attention to your studies. Create a study space that’s quiet and clean and that’ll help you make sure you’re absorbing the information as much as possible.
2. Turn off your phone I know it’s hard to imagine going a few hours without being able to check your texts, but trust me; turning off your phone is the quickest way to make sure you won’t be constantly distracted. It cuts off the temptation to constantly check Instagram and lessens the likelihood of you getting sidetracked by a text from your best friend. Give yourself a break from technology, and your grades will reward you!
3. Monitor your websites I know how hard it is to stay off Facebook, so I get some help. The website keepmeout.com allows you to block yourself from visiting certain websites within a set amount of time. This is really useful because you can still access the web if you need it, but you won’t have the temptation of Facebook or Pinterest.
4. Eat a snack Snacking is a great way to stay focused. Eating foods high in antioxidants will keep your brain sharp while you’re working. Some good snack foods include blueberries, bananas, granola bars, and, of course, dark chocolate.
5. Take a break I know pulling an all-nighter seems like a good idea, but studies have shown that at a certain point, rest is actually more helpful in cementing information than continuing to cram. When your focus starts to wane and the words start to blur, take a break! You’ll feel re-energized and ready to work when you go back to hitting the books.
Finals week is a scary time here at UF, and it’s coming up fast. Soon enough, students will be cramming into Library West at all hours of the day, desperate to somehow learn a semester’s worth of knowledge in a few days. Now that you have a few tips about how you can better improve your study habits, I hope the idea of exams is a little less daunting. Happy studying, collegiettes™!
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