Often when we sit down to tackle a study period we struggle to know what to do next. This lack of focus means we move around in circles not achieving anything and not getting a feeling of accomplishment with the time we do invest. Here are three ways to help you stay focused during your study session.
1. Know what you need to get done:
Before you start any study session, you should know what you want achieve during that time. This applies whether you are undertaking a formal course of study or have your own self directed learning program to learn a new skill. Ideally each week you will know what you need to do towards completing your overall plan then before you start a study session you will be clear on what you want to get out of the time you put in. At the end of each study session it can help to note down where you are in your study plan so you know exactly where to start at the next session – note down what page you were reading, any ideas for further information you need find or actions to take, or the next idea you need to write about.
Before you start any study session, you should know what you want achieve during that time. This applies whether you are undertaking a formal course of study or have your own self directed learning program to learn a new skill. Ideally each week you will know what you need to do towards completing your overall plan then before you start a study session you will be clear on what you want to get out of the time you put in. At the end of each study session it can help to note down where you are in your study plan so you know exactly where to start at the next session – note down what page you were reading, any ideas for further information you need find or actions to take, or the next idea you need to write about.
2. Set time limits for your tasks:
Setting a time limit for your study tasks helps in two ways: 1. it breaks down a long session into smaller achievable tasks and 2. it helps you focus on what needs to be done and not waste time. In the beginning it may be difficult to work out how much time a task will take but if you set yourself time limits regularly you’ll soon figure out what is realistic for you to achieve in a given period.
Setting a time limit for your study tasks helps in two ways: 1. it breaks down a long session into smaller achievable tasks and 2. it helps you focus on what needs to be done and not waste time. In the beginning it may be difficult to work out how much time a task will take but if you set yourself time limits regularly you’ll soon figure out what is realistic for you to achieve in a given period.
3. Get Started:
This is always the hardest part of any task. Often before you start a task you’ll tell yourself how hard it is going to be and how much you don’t want to do it. However if you can overcome this self talk and get started, you will be able to build on the momentum that comes just from the act of starting. One of the easiest ways to trick yourself to get started is to tell yourself that you will just do the task for 5 minutes. It is usually easier to convince yourself to get started for a shorter period of time but once you do start you are likely to keep with the task.
This is always the hardest part of any task. Often before you start a task you’ll tell yourself how hard it is going to be and how much you don’t want to do it. However if you can overcome this self talk and get started, you will be able to build on the momentum that comes just from the act of starting. One of the easiest ways to trick yourself to get started is to tell yourself that you will just do the task for 5 minutes. It is usually easier to convince yourself to get started for a shorter period of time but once you do start you are likely to keep with the task.
These three simple things will help a lot in helping you maintain focus while you’re studying. If you want to find out how much timing your study activities can improve your productivity try the action machine, great software that keeps track of your tasks, the time you have allocated to them and how long the task took.
0 comments:
Post a Comment