How to improve focus for studying

It's time to hit the books! You've started with great motivation, but suddenly, you're scrolling on Instagram, re-organizing your entire wardrobe, or planning your next holiday. Do you recognize this? We all know that studying can be difficult, especially when there are a lot of distractions around. In this article, we'll give you a few tips to improve your focus so you can study like there's no tomorrow. Good luck!

Create a dedicated study space

You will need more than studying in bed or at a messy table to improve your focus. A quiet, well-lit, and comfortable space free from distractions will help. This sends a clear signal to your brain that it's time to focus when you sit down in this area. You can choose to create a dedicated study space in your studio, or maybe you prefer to use the study rooms at Student Experience or at your university. Are you in Madrid and want to change it up? Check out these fantastic study spaces.

Organize ahead of time

Before diving into your tasks, ensure you know what you need to do. Are there certain subjects you need to review first? Or are deadlines coming up? Time management is key. First, add all important dates to your agenda, which will help you stay on track. Then, set goals and break these into small, manageable tasks to help you see your progress. This will give you a clear overview of what to do on your study day.

Eliminate distractions

Identify what distracts you from studying and remove it from your study area. Organize your workspace and turn off your phone or use apps that block social media such as StayFocused for your laptop or AppBlock for your phone. Inform your friends about your study time to minimize interruptions. Create a playlist that improves your focus instead of one where you want to sing along and dance.

Figure out what works for you

Explore different studying or time management techniques that work for you. Active learning techniques can help you remember things easier, such as taking notes, creating flashcards, or teaching the material to someone else. You can try out the Pomodoro technique, where you study for 25-minute blocks with small breaks in between, or the Timebox technique, where you set a time limit and work on a task only within that timeframe. When the time is up, you stop working on the task, even if it's unfinished. Another technique is Eat the Frog, where you start with the biggest, most tedious task. After you've finished this, you've conquered the biggest hurdle of the day, and the rest of your tasks will be a breeze.

Take care of yourself

Last but definitely not least, take good care of yourself. This means getting enough sleep, eating nutritious meals, moving your body, and relaxing and enjoying yourself. All these things will help you remember things and motivate you to study. Remember, it's all about balance.