Are you daydreaming in the classroom? Do you have a short attention span? Here are some effective tips to help you focus more in class.
Spacing out more than normal in class? If you’ve had moments where you’re distracted causing you to be unable to hear or understand a thing the lecturer has been saying, then this only means one thing: you lack focus and this needs to be addressed quickly.
Slacking off is another thing, however. It’s your choice to not pay attention, probably out of habit, but it’s still done consciously. Regardless of what’s causing you to be unfocused, it’s imperative to be attentive in class if you don’t want any problems in your studies later.
Improving your focus also helps you boost your self-control and maturity, both of which will come very handy in the future. And so, here are some tips to help you focus more during lectures.
10 Tips for How To Focus More In Class
Below are some effective tips to help you focus more in class.
1. Participate in discussions
Some people shy away from attention, especially when it comes to speaking in public. If you’re this type of person, sorry to break it to you but to boost your focus, you need to change that.
Engaging in class discussions and asking questions is extremely helpful. The more active you are at participating, the more your mind naturally gravitates to concentrating. It’s like a way of tricking yourself into focusing. Plus, you never know, you might find new topics and interests if you give yourself a chance to go out there and speak.
2. Take detailed notes
Taking notes may seem futile in some instances, however, not doing it and just listening passively makes it even more difficult to concentrate in class.
Instead of paying attention, you might just doodle throughout. So, why not save this energy for note-taking, something that’s far more helpful and beneficial for your studies? Also, while you’re at it, make detailed notes to further compel you to focus on what your teacher’s saying.
3.Sit on or near the front
“Sitting on the front row is a nerd thing.” Yeah, yeah. Whether this is the case or not, there’s nothing truly wrong with being labeled as one. After all, the nerds tend to be the ones to become really successful in the end.
Anyway, sitting in front helps fight off your problem with focus, since you won’t be able to get away with using your phones, dozing off, or anything that will warrant bad attention from your teacher. Simply put, it’s a foolproof technique of making you concentrate since it takes away any possible distraction.
4. Get enough sleep
No matter how much you want to concentrate, you won’t be able to if you’ve had poor sleep the night before. Hence, for maximum focus, make sure to get a good night’s sleep. This can be hard to achieve especially for uni students, but if you’re also fighting off fatigue, then your concentration will disappear. Catch a nap when you can if you’ve got nothing better to do.
5. Eat healthily
Hunger can also hinder you from focusing. Next time, you may want to stock up on healthy snacks like nuts and seeds so you can have something healthy to quickly eat between lessons. More importantly, before heading to school, make sure to eat a healthy breakfast. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and for good reasons.
A healthy breakfast doesn’t have to be huge. Two slices of bread, an egg, and a fresh juice will do. Starting your day with a satisfied tummy makes you more energized and less groggy. Eating breakfast might seem like the most natural thing to do, but many students tend to skip breakfast, which later on, influenced the way they perform in class.
6.Create a workspace
A disorganized study space is another huge reason for distraction for many students. To motivate yourself, make sure to have an organized and dedicated workspace to get your school assignments and projects done.
Get rid of clutters and other items that aren’t needed for your study session to eliminate possible distractions. Having a good space to study at home helps you find more motivation in studying, thus, improving your concentration in class.
7. Get rid of distractions
Sure, sitting with your buddies may be your first instinct, but it’s best to sit apart so you won’t be tempted to chat with them. Sitting on the front, as we’ve discussed before, is also one way to get rid of any temptation.
Another way is to turn your phone off or put it away in your locker. It can also be done by sitting away from the window, so your attention won’t be hooked to whatever’s happening outside. Whatever the source of distraction is, it’s crucial to eliminate them yourself.
8. Do school tasks one-by-one
Some homework and projects can be too much to get finished overnight. To be more productive, break them down into smaller tasks. That way, you can focus more on making these tasks more manageable.
If you try to take on more than you handle, you’re just allowing for boredom and distraction to set in. Doing things one-by-one gives you a greater sense of accomplishment, which can serve as a great motivation booster later.
9. Consider playing focus games and activities
Crossword and jigsaw puzzles are some of the best brain workouts that you can do inside or outside the classroom. If you think you lack focus, play these games in your spare time or even while doing schoolwork. Mind activities like this activate your problem-solving skills and force you to concentrate.
10. Eyedrops, gums, or fidget tools may help
When exam time is approaching, it’s even harder to concentrate due to stress, jitters, insomnia, or exhaustion. If you experience these things, using additional aids may help enhance your concentration. Eye drops can help your tired and dry eyes. Chewing gum can also help you stay awake, only if your teacher allows it. Likewise, fidget toys and spinners can help you concentrate.
Focus can be built. You just need a combination of a strong mindset and techniques to create a setting that promotes focus. And hopefully, these tips can be of great help to you.
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