Ways to Maintain Concentration During Extended Study Sessions

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   Put your phone somewhere you won't be tempted to look at it. To avoid being distracted by it, tuck your phone into a drawer or leave it in your bag. Also, unless you absolutely need them for studying, put away all other forms of electronic distraction. [1]

   If you're going to be writing your paper on a tablet or computer, here's a pro tip: install an app that blocks access to potentially distracting websites.

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   Before settling down to study, fuel up on some healthy food. Distractions like a growling stomach are avoidable with a light breakfast of yogurt, oatmeal, or fruit. Keep some sort of snack food on hand like a granola bar, nuts, or trail mix in case you get hungry. [2]

   • Snacking on protein and complex carbs will keep you alert and focused. The best food options include fruit, nuts, and whole grains. Stay away from sugary and processed foods to prevent blood sugar swings.

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   Find a quiet place to do your homework. Locate an area with few potential interruptions, such as a library or a quiet corner of your house. Make an effort to study there (or at least at one of a few regular spots) Keep your studying routine consistent, and your brain will learn to associate that space with the need to get to work. [3]

   • And remember to study at a desk or table that allows you to spread out your materials. Don't study in bed because it's too easy to fall asleep and lose focus.
   • The ability to think clearly is aided by a clean, well-organized environment. If your physical environment is disorganized, your thoughts will follow suit.
   • Studying in a well-lit room can boost your concentration.

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   Rotate between different activities and subject matters to keep things interesting. Work on one project or area of study for an hour, then switch to the next. Focus on one unit or topic for about an hour at a time, even if you have to study for a test and can't switch subjects. [4]

   • If, say, you have a test on World War II in your history class, you should review your notes on the causes that led up to the war. Get some rest and refreshments before returning to the European front. It's also a good idea to spend an hour reviewing chapter summaries from your textbook before moving on to flashcards.
   • Alternating between different types of work rather than trying to force yourself to focus on just one will increase your productivity and help you remember more of what you do.

5. 5

   Get the more challenging material out of the way early in your studying. It's easier to study for longer periods of time if you get the toughest or most boring tasks out of the way first. Prioritize tough jobs when you're feeling strong and save the easy stuff for when you're getting tired. [5]

   • If chemistry is your least favorite subject, for example, you should begin your study session by doing practice problems for the quiz you have the following day. After that's out of the way, you're free to focus on what really interests you:

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   If listening to music while you study improves your focus, do so. Some people are able to maintain concentration when music is playing in the background, but this is not the case for everyone. Listen to instrumental music while you study if you don't find it distracting. [6]

   • Music from the classical genre is recommended because there are no lyrics to interfere with concentration. Sounds of nature, electronic music, or soft music could also help.
   • The best way to keep track of time while listening to music is to create a playlist of at least 60 minutes in length. That way, you can take a break or change gears if necessary.

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   Put your plans down on paper (or a dry-erase board) Putting your goals in writing and posting them where you can see them every day can help you stick to them. Put up a calendar or a dry-erase board and make a list of your tasks for the day. Make sure you can see it at a glance by writing it large on an index card, a sheet of paper, or your assignment notebook. [7]

   Advice: Share your study goals with loved ones in addition to writing them down. Telling others about your goals and plans can serve as an additional form of self-accountability.

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   Get up and walk around every hour or so. You might feel like holing up in your room for a few hours to cram, but that's a surefire way to burn out. Take a short break every hour to rest your eyes, ears, and body. Take a short break to get some fresh air, eat something, and limber up, and then return to your work.

   • Stay focused on your work and avoid any unnecessary distractions during your break. To avoid getting distracted from your studies, you should avoid doing things like turning on the TV. Similarly, if you have a hard time stopping yourself once you get started scrolling through social media, you might avoid doing so.
   • Instead of stopping in the middle of something to study, find a natural break. Waiting 15 or 30 minutes before taking a break is preferable to stopping midway through a task and then forgetting what it was you were doing.

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   Do your best to relate the information to areas of study that you find engaging. Try to find applications for what you're learning. Vote on a scientific theory, or defend a position you've taken in history, and show how it applies to real life. Do your best to maintain a curious disposition and give whatever it is a fair shot at capturing your interest, even if it initially seems boring. [8]

   • Motivation to learn is much easier to muster when the subject matter is one in which you have a genuine interest.
   • When you can't seem to get interested in something, try to find ways to make it enjoyable. In other words, if you're good at drawing, try sketching out some of the ideas you're learning about to help you remember them. [9]

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   Do something to celebrate your accomplishments. You'll be more motivated to keep working hard on your homework if you promise yourself a reward after you finish. Rewarding hard work with time spent playing video games, watching television, eating a snack, or shopping for a new outfit or accessory are all viable options. [10]

   • Avoid punishing yourself excessively if you fail to complete your goal, but do give yourself a treat when you succeed.
   • Keeping track of your progress toward your study goals and the rewards you've earned in your assignment book can be very motivating. Tasks can be broken down into more specific time frames, such as, "Task: review history lecture notes for 2 hours." As a motivating factor, you can play video games for 30 minutes. ”

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   Put each other on the spot and force yourself to study in a group. Hang out with fellow students who share your dedication to learning and won't tempt you to procrastinate. Test each other's knowledge, take turns explaining material, and fight off procrastination together.

   • To better understand and retain information, try explaining it to someone else. Collaborative study is a great way to make up for any weak spots in your own note-taking.

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1. 1

   Learn how to study more effectively and reduce your load. Check your assignment sheet or exam guide to make sure you're preparing for the right things before you start studying. You can also make better use of your time by asking your teacher to clarify anything that isn't clear to you or answer any questions you have. If you were planning on looking it up, this will save you some time. Finally, prioritize what you need to know so that you can study that material first. [11]

   • Make the most of your time in the classroom when you have to put in long hours of study.
   • Examine the study guide you'll be using as soon as you get it, and make notes on the most important sections. Don't waste time trying to figure something out on your own if you have a question; instead, ask your teacher. Then, prioritize your studying by identifying the areas in which you need the most improvement.

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   Be sure to get your study space ready before you get started. Don't want to be getting up every few minutes to get something? Make sure you have everything you need before you sit down. Arrange your books, pens, and notebook neatly on your desk or other designated study area. It'll be simple to get what you need without having to stop for a rest.

   • So, let's say you're learning math as an example. You should get your assignment supplies (i.e., e exercise, etc.), a calculator, graph paper, pencils, pens, an eraser, a healthy snack, and some water

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   Preparing for your study sessions in advance will help you get the most out of them. Create a timetable for your assignments by first estimating how much time you'll need to complete each one, and then adding on an extra 10% to account for potential delays. Prioritize what needs to be done, tackle the hardest tasks first, and don't forget to take regular breaks. [12]

   • For the first two hours of your four-hour study session, focus on your upcoming science exam. The third hour should be spent on math, while the fourth should be spent on reviewing what you've learned in history. Spend any extra time you have studying for your upcoming science exam.
   • In addition, write down your weekly to-dos. Schedule in your classes, work, and practices, and then divide your free time between studying and other projects.

4. 4

   Tasks that seem insurmountable can be broken down into more manageable chunks. Writing a term paper or studying for a history exam can feel like insurmountable tasks. To avoid feeling overwhelmed, break down large tasks into manageable chunks. [13]

   • If you're preparing for a final exam, for instance, you should review previous assessments and take note of the topics on which you performed poorly. Then, go over your notes, split the course into sections, and focus on one section at a time.
   • Miniature, manageable study activities include things like making flashcards, taking quizzes, and outlining major concepts from your textbook.

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   Study as much as you can, but try to avoid cramming. Plan ahead and give yourself time to study at regular intervals. It's more effective to study for a total of 9 hours over the course of three 3-hour sessions. More will be retained in long-term memory if studying is broken up into several shorter sessions. [14]

   Don't pull an all-nighter, but if you must cram the night before an exam, try to get some sleep. Inability to perform well on an exam due to lack of sleep.

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   If you feel overwhelmed, it's time to ease up. Examine your commitments and prioritize your schoolwork if you're having trouble making time for it. It's important to check in with oneself and see if there are any less-important commitments or tasks that are eating up too much of your time. Is there anything you could give up to make more time in your day? [15]

   • So, let's say you're feeling overwhelmed by the demands of full-time study, a sports team, a musical group, and a part-time job. They can't really go anywhere because "school and work come first." You should skip choir rehearsals in favor of basketball if the sport is very important to you. Then, after the basketball season is over, you can try to get back in.

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Prompt: Question