If you’re anything like me, you get distracted while studying. Very distracted. Ever notice that scratch on the desk before today? Well, now you have. Whether I’m doing homework or studying for an exam, I always seem to get sidetracked by something around me.

As I begin to prepare for my first midterm of the semester, I figured it was time to devise a plan to help me stay focused. I asked my friends what distracts them the most when sitting at their desk, added their notes to mine, and now I am sharing them with you. Hopefully these five tips will help you stay focused and ace that test!     

1. Organize your space. Nobody can study with a messy desk. Nobody. So get rid of whatever you don’t need and keep the essentials nearby, such as pens, highlighters, flashcards and your notes. If it does not apply to what you are studying, get rid of it. 

2. Hide your phone. I know it is hard for us college kids not to check social media every 10 minutes, but that picture of your sorority sister when she was two for Throwback Thursday will still be there in a couple of hours. Silence your phone and set it aside; you do not need it to study. 

3. Turn on the lights. The brighter the room, the better it is for studying. Lights help you to stay awake and focused, so open the blinds and turn on your desk light. Your brain associates darkness with sleep, so the lights will help you to  feel awake while reading your notes. 

4. Keep your room comfortable. The temperature of your room can play a huge factor in how efficiently you are studying. If it is too cold, you will want to wrap yourself up in a blanket, which will then cause you to get tired and not want to do your homework. If the room is too hot, you will be uncomfortable and unable to focus. 

5. Don’t study somewhere boring. The library is a great place to study in silence, but racks of books and gray walls aren’t the most encouraging. Your surroundings can have a huge effect on how well you are able to study, and can also affect your attitude about the material in front of you. Choose places that will allow you to have a positive mindset, and you are sure to do well on your next test!