So many distractions, so little study time...
Phones, friends, socialising – you’ll have plenty of time for those things over the holidays. Right now, it’s time to focus on your study goals.
Here are some tips to help you snub the interruptions and be prepared for a more productive study time.
Study smart
Write a schedule for your day. If you’re a morning person, you might like to study from 9 am to 12pm, with five-minute breaks every 20 minutes to ensure that you stay clear and focused.
Plan what you will study, and how. Every student is different, so for you this may involve writing a brainstorm or creating a mind-map. For someone else, this could involve doing practice tests over and over. Ultimately, it is up to you to work out a routine that suits you and allows you to achieve your goals. There is no point studying all day, every day - so come up with a plan that suits you and stick to it!
Your study scenario
Does your desk look like a place you would want to spend three hours studying?
Before you embark on your study schedule for the day, prep a productive study space by getting rid of potential distractions.
Where to start? Try these…
- Clear your desk, leaving only the essentials for study.
- Create a ‘Do not disturb’ zone. Tell friends, family or flatmates that you need some P&Q for a few hours while you study.
- If you can’t find an optimal study spot at home, the library is the perfect place to go.
- Phones and social media are a huge distraction. If you can’t resist the temptation of an Instagram scroll or Facebook check-in, perhaps it’s best to the ‘out of sight, out of mind’ method.
- Tempted to log in to the socials on your desktop? Browser extensions like StayFocusd can help you stay on task by blocking time-wasting websites, helping you make the most of your study time.
Create a study sanctuary
Create an organised and comfortable study sanctuary for yourself. Somewhere you want to be, with everything you need at your fingertips.
There are a few things to consider here…
- Wear comfortable clothes.
- Alternate your sitting and standing time if you can – just make sure your computer is always at eye level and your chair is comfortable and at the right height when sitting. Do an online ergo check if you’re unsure!
- Mood lighting – it’s a thing! Especially when you’re trying to focus. Natural light is best for studying and a cooler room temperature can increase productivity.
- Include mood boosting items like pot plants, a favourite photo of family/friends or some inspirational quotes.
- Study suggests that exposure to different smells could help improve memory and recall, try wearing a favourite perfume while completing revision of your course work, then wear the same scent when sitting an exam or test.
We are here to help
If you need learning or wellbeing support or would like to discuss this article about study habits, feel free to contact Student Support Services and we will be happy to assist you.