6 Tips to Help You Stay Focused While Studying for Exams

Finals are upon us. At times, it can be hard to stay focused on the goal but remember…your GPA is forever! Here are a few tips to help you stay focused while studying for your finals.

Have a set routine!

Study for a certain class at a certain time, don’t jumble up subjects! For example, study for English between 9 AM and 11 AM on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Your body will retain information better when it is used to doing something at a certain time.

Don’t be distracted!

Some people study best in groups, but others not so much. Don’t agree to be part of a study group if that type of studying doesn’t work for you! If you need to be alone, don’t be afraid to find a quiet area and study your little heart out! Also, turn off your phone while your study. If your phone is on with the sound turned up, you’re more likely to be distracted and check your social media.

Find the right playlist!

Music can either really help you or really hurt you. If you can study to 1980s hip-hop, then good on you! But most people cannot study to 1980s hip-hop. Find a relaxing playlist that will help you stay focused but not put you to sleep. Try and stay away from catchy pop music or you may wind up sing in the mirror and totally forgetting that you have exams.

Stay healthy!

Studying for exams can be an overwhelming time. You can’t forget to stay hydrated and you can’t forget to eat! When you study, make sure to stay away from soda! Water will help flush out toxins and keep your body happy. When you snack, snack on fruits and veggies! Cut up fresh cucumber to snack on while flipping through your textbook, or dried bananas!

Remember to take breaks!

It’s not healthy to sit and study for 18 hours. You are bound to go stir crazy and you will become less focused on studying. Take a walk around campus or make a quick run to Starbucks for a Strawberry Acai Refresher. A nice fruity tea will help give you a natural boost of energy that won’t make you feel shaky. Your personal health comes before your exams. You have to care for yourself.

Get a good night's sleep!

When you study for exams, you have to remember to sleep. Pulling all-nighters will not accomplish anything. Make sure you get between 6-8 hours of sleep before an exam. If you have a subject that you’re super stressed about, you can break tip number 1 and re-study that material right before you go to bed! Studies have shown that material studied right before bed can stick in your brain a bit better than material studied earlier.