Studying at home sure has its benefits. You’re comfortable, get to stay in your pajamas, get yourself a snack or two, and study in a low-pressure environment. But, along with all these pros also come the tons of distractions that are scattered all over the place. At home, it’s easy to procrastinate without even realising that you’re procrastinating. Once you start procrastinating, there’s no looking back. It’s easy to lose track of time and before you know it the day is over.
To get rid of this problem at hand, we have compiled a list of tips and tricks that can help you study at home more efficiently without procrastinating. From active studying hacks to website blockers for studying, we’ve got it all covered. Read along to figure out how to study smart, instead of studying harder.
How To Study At Home Without Getting Distracted
Focusing on the topic at hand and not ending up procrastinating can surely be a task. There’s no denying that. Here are some tips to ensure you don’t waste away your day procrastinating:
1. Make Sure You Get A Good Night’s Sleep
This is very important. Especially because, students irrespective of their age often mess up their sleep schedules. This not only leads to extreme tiredness the next day but also clouds your ability to process information to its full extent. A good’s night sleep ensures that your brain is fully refreshed and ready to tackle all the information that is being thrown its way. Scientific studies have shown that a well-established and healthy sleep schedule can improve your memory by three-fold. This of course would be a blessing for any student.
2. Start Active Studying
Active studying refers to the process of asking yourself questions before, during, and after your study session. A simple hack like this can help give your study session better direction and help you keep track of what’s been covered so far. It can also help you reflect on how to improve your study time to fit your needs better. Here is an example of how you implement active studying in your schedule.
Questions to ask yourself before you start the study session:
- What am I going to learn today?
- What knowledge and information do I already have about this subject?
- Why am I choosing to focus on this subject today?
Questions to ask yourself while you study:
- Do I completely understand what I have just read?
- Am I able to paraphrase the information I have just learned?
- What are the important keywords or ideas about this topic that I need to note down?
Questions to ask yourself after you study:
- What have I learned today?
- How much of this will I review in the next study session?
- What will I be studying next?
3. Install A Website Blocker
The biggest distraction for any student, irrespective of the Grade they’re currently studying or the part of the world they belong to, is the Internet. The Internet might be the biggest boon to the current world, but there’s no denying that it comes with its set of cons. There is so much that one can do on the Internet, it is easy to lose focus on things that matter. 1 out of 6 students in first-world countries has been found to be severely addicted to the internet and their smartphones.
The easiest solution to getting rid of this problem is to download a website and app blocker. There are lots of options available for website blockers for studying in the market. Doesn’t matter if you’re an Apple or an Android user, you can easily find a website blocker that fits your needs. This way you will no longer be tempted to spend more time on the internet than necessary. If you’re confused or clueless about how to block websites on your phone gadgets, here is a guide for everything you need to know about website blockers.
4. Have A Mess-Free Designated Study Spot
The nature of your surroundings can have a major impact on your mind and mood. The more clean and organized your surroundings are, the more clean, sharp, and organized your brain will be. Pick a place in your house where you can comfortably spend time studying without any distractions. It’ll be helpful to pick a place that is free from loud noises and other distractions.
Don’t pick your bed to be your study spot. The bed is meant for sleeping. Studying on a bed has proven to be less productive. This will also ensure you don’t take any unnecessary naps, which we all are aware can be extremely tempting and enticing.
5. Have Balanced Nutritious Meals
In order for your body and brain to stay at top of their game, you need to ensure they’re getting the proper nutrients. This might sound like the most basic thing but, it really does make a difference. Plus, we all know how hard it can be to focus on studying when your stomach’s growling non-stop.
Control your intake of junk, and shift to healthier alternatives. This will ensure you’re not pulled down by fatigue during your study sessions. Here are some healthier snacking options that can help boost your memory and concentration: Pumpkin seeds, Nuts, Dark chocolate, Green tea, and Blueberries. There are tons of options out there, find some that your taste buds like.
6. Lock Away All Your Distractions
Everyone has their fair share of guilty pleasures. When we indulge in these pleasures in moderation, it’s completely fine. But, every once it is easy to get carried away with these distractions and guilty pleasures. Whatever the distractions are in your life, be it comic books, cooking shows, gaming, etc. Before you start your study session get rid of all these distractions from your line of sight. This will help you remain focused on what’s important right now.
If the Internet is your biggest distraction you, then you can install a website blocker or app blocker as mentioned above.
7. Stay In Touch
Right now especially when everyone’s stuck in lockdown, it is important to stay in contact with the people in your life. Of course, it is normal to stay in touch with family and friends, but you also need to make it a priority to stay in contact with your fellow students. You can create a group chat or do a weekly video call with your classmates, whatever suits everyone’s schedules best. This way you can share thoughts, ideas, and even study tips, and stay on top of your game together.
These are just some tips and tricks to help you study more effectively and efficiently while at home. Figure out what works for you and happy studying!
