Whether your roommate is distracting you with his Star Wars marathon or the distraction is self-inflicted, like trying to increase your online presence by live-tweeting your mid-term cram session, focusing is undeniably difficult. Studying is most effective when you give it your full attention. Here are some ideas on how to create a space so focused that it would impress Jedi masters themselves.
Hop Off the Grid While You Study
Before you set up the physical elements of your study haven, eliminate online distractions. Download a self-control app for your devices that prevents you from entering time-sucking websites. You can customize the app to temporarily block the sites that are most tempting for you and set a time limit for how long you want to be banned.
Mission Control
You want to create a space you can be happy working in for hours. Start by finding a comfortable chair that supports correct posture. Next, get a desk or table that works with your chair: The top should rest somewhere between your waist and rib cage when you sit, allowing your elbows to rest easily. Also, consider a foot rest for optimum ergonomic comfort. If you’re on a budget, try looking at consignment shops, Craigslist or the clearance section at an office supply store.
Sounds Like a Plan
When possible, put your study space in an area free from noisy distractions. If you’re short on space, control the sound around you with headphones. If music helps you focus, create a playlist before you begin or use one of the many study-themed playlists on Spotify or Pandora. If you need to drown out sounds, find a white noise station.
Dress for Success
Making your study station visually appealing can help you feel peaceful and focused. This can vary from person to person, so tailor your work area to your preferences. Some choices could be: facing your desk to look out the window, facing it towards a corner or surrounding your desk with art, pictures, plants, trinkets or mantras.
In addition, studies show that if your environment is clear of chaos, your mind will follow suit, so keep your study area tidy with desk organizers and file drawers.
Time for a Break
When faced with a heavy cram session, another key is to break your studying down into bite-sized pieces. One of the most effective ways to cram is using the Pomodoro technique. The technique uses a timer to break down work into 25-minute intervals, with 5-minute breaks. You can use a traditional kitchen timer or search “Pomodoro technique” in the App Store for various smartphone apps.
For most people, especially if you rent your living space, having a separate room for an office isn’t an option. This can become quite frustrating, considering that a ton of people work from home, are in school online, have kids who need to Google questions for homework, pay bills online or are late-night Pinterest stalkers.
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