How to Stay Focused and Productive

 

Learning how to stay focused is no easy task. Whether you're a seasoned student having a Ph.D., being a beginner student or somebody just starting out, learning how to stay focused when studying is always a challenge that virtually all face. Whether your biggest struggle is time management, procrastination, social networking, or some combination of all of these, learning how to stay focused is an ongoing battle for most of us. Of course, there are many different tips and tricks for students of all ages but if your attention span is only so short, you may need to take a few extra steps when you're trying to figure out how to stay focused. In this article I'm going to share a few tips that will help you learn how to stay focused when studying.

The first tip I have for you is to take regular breaks. This is by far one of the most effective tips for you to use because it will not only help you stay focused but it will also prevent you from seeing information overload. Studies have shown that when you do not take regular breaks it is much harder to retain the information and remember it. This applies in both your academic and athletic career. If you are a student then you have probably noticed that the most difficult times for students is when they are trying to take regular breaks and are still struggling to stay focused.

The second thing you should do is make a to-do list. Most students forget half the reason they are studying in the first place. It's because they have no list! The purpose of the to-do list is to make it easy to write off things that are not productive. It's like this: if you do not have anything to do, then you will be more likely to not pay attention and do nothing. So if you want to remain more focused, then you need to create a list and stick to it.

The last tip I have for you is to eliminate distractions while you are studying. This might seem like a cliche, but it is very true. I have seen students who are so focused on completing their assignment that they end up overlooking everything else around them that is productive or that will be productive once they finish their assignment.

One way to keep yourself more focused on a task is to think about the task in your mind and then mentally move it out of your way. This is similar to focusing on something that is unattainable. If you concentrate on finishing the task, then you will not have time to think about what will happen if you fail. When you concentrate on something that is attainable, you can often think about what will happen if you fail and move on with your life.

These three tips will help you increase your productivity and stay focused. If you are unable to concentrate on something for an extended period of time, then you should find someone to talk to, or get a whiteboard on which you can write down your ideas. If you stay focused on your goals and what you are trying to accomplish, then you will be far more productive. Try using some of these suggestions and see if they work for you. Remember, your brain is your biggest tool and with it, you can become more productive.