elkstudies:

I think Staying Focused is one of the most difficult things about studying, especially when you need to study for a long time, for big exams, etc. Here’s some ways I’ve found helpful and seen other people use. 

Set a Goal 

This was one for the first techniques I used and it still helps me to this day. 
Setting a big or goal of what you want to achieve, long time or short time. 

• Setting Bigger Goals
  Setting a big, long-term goal, like getting into college or achieving a really good result on something that you struggle with. For these kind of goals you need to plan out how exactly you’re going to achieve what you want.
  To do this, it’s best to set yourself smaller goals, which will lead up to you achieving the bigger goal. 
• Setting Smaller Goals
  You need to make smaller goals easy to reach. These could be like going up a grade, getting a certain grade on an assignment,  spending a certain amount of time studying.You need to make sure these goals have a good mix of attainable and challenging. This way they’ll benefit you by keeping you motivated. 
• Rewards. 
  Achieving big goals is usually a reward in but to keep you motivated you  may need rewards to do keep trying to yourself wanting to achieve your goals. Set yourself up some little goals along the way. Perhaps buying something, going to see a movie, watching tv, etc. There’s numerous amounts. 

Use an App

Apps are so helpful, here are some of my favourites:

• Pomodoro
  This app is so amazing for helping to stay focused. It’s a timer with breaks after each time slot with a break after 4 Rounds. It also has a goal of what you want to achieve that day. 
  It helps because although you may b looking forward to getting a break, you’ll also be working. It also has a ticking noise which can aid you to keep focused or you can turn it off it annoys you. 
• Focus Timer
  If you find yourself always picking up your phone, this app is perfect because it keeps you off your phone while timing your study. It also lets you keep a chart so you can track how much you study.  
• 30/30
  This is app is a To-Do List and Timer all in one and is super useful to help you if you want to specifically time what you have to do. It works really well with a lot of alerts to keep you working. 
• Focus Now
  This app is the free version of Forest, which I’ve seen a lot of people use in the community. It keeps you off of your phone because if you exit off you’ll kill the plant that grows while you’re not on your phone. 

Listen to Music

This is not for everyone but it can work well for a lot of people! Try out different genres and stick to ones without lyrics as these are generally the best for keeping you focused. 

• Classical Music - popular choice with studyblrs
  
• Instrumentals - another popular choice, very focusing and soothing
• Video Game Soundtracks - these are literally made for keeping you focused so these are great!!
• Instrumental Movie Soundtracks - some of these are also made to keep you focused and drawn in. (The Theory of Everything one is so good!!)
• Electric Sounds - works well if you dislike classical! 
• Natural Noises - keeps your mind from getting distracted by blocking out silence
• Coffee Shop Noise - proven to help you be more creative and keep focused

Some good masterposts with lists for study sounds:

• Melodic Studying 
  
• Study Sounds
• Study Music

Study Order

Study order is something we usually forget about but it’s actually super important! 

• Do a quick/creative or subject that you like first. It will get you focused and in the mood to start with.
  
• Move into a difficult subject or one you find hard to focus during. You’ll still be focused and motivated from the first task but not tired or bored. 
• Finish on an easy or quick task. It’ll leave you feeling satisfied with the work you completed and even though you’ll be tired/less focused from previous tasks you’ll be able to do it efficiently if it’s and easy topic for you!

Have Something that Reminds You to Study

Very often we get sidetracked by something else which can break our focus.
Instead have something that will constantly remind you to study or why you’re studying.

• An Cheerful Alert on your Phone. It may sound cheesy but it can help you keep your phone down and get your work done. 
  
• A Inspirational Quote/Picture that reminds your why or what you’re studying for. It’ll keep you motivated as well as focused. 
• A To-List. Placed in a visible spot so you can keep in mind what you have done and what you still have to do. 
• A Bullet Journal. It works well for keeping you focused on your study as it’s an analog system and you’ll have to force yourself to mark the work as completed/uncompleted therefore keeping you more motivated and focused on the work you have to do! 
• A Planner - works well for informing you of what you have to study, if you would prefer more structure than a bullet journal ,a planner will work well for organising your days. @passionplanner​ has free planner printables, if you’d prefer not to invest in a planner fully yet!

*Other Posts

• Guide to Studying
• Guide to Mind-Maps
• Getting Involved in Studyblr
• Subject  Resource List
  
• Staying Healthy While Studying
• Note-Taking
• Organisation Masterpost
• Study Tips
• Anti-Procrastination Masterpost
• Motivation Masterpost
• Back to School Necessities
• How to Get an Internship
• How to Take Notes From a Textbook
  +More

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