It can sometimes be difficult to focus and get to work, especially with deadlines looming over you. Here are some tips on how to ensure you can make the most of your study time during exam season.

Set a timer

Set yourself a countdown timer on your screen. The length will vary depending on how long you can focus for and how much you need to get done. During this time put your phone away and remove all distractions. This will allow you to focus solely on your work, and the benefit of having a countdown timer is it gives you something to work towards. Pick one task that you are going to try to finish during that time slot, for example, completing a reading or completing a question. This is helpful because once the time has elapsed you will feel accomplished.

Organise a Zoom study session

After two years of online meetings and classes, Zoom may be the lowest of your priorities. But this can be good for setting aside time to study while providing accountability. The prospect of having your video on and being in a silent virtual study space means that you are less likely to get distracted by videos or Netflix because you feel like you are being watched, which can help to improve your focus. For an added layer of security, multiple people can share their screen to ensure that you are only completing work tasks.

Use a lowfi playlist

Studying in absolute silence can sometimes be an absolute buzzkill as you find it difficult to focus and the extreme silence may increase your feelings of anxiety. Having a lowfi playlist of instrumentals will help to calm your nerves and help you feel more focused as you study, rather than just hearing the taps of your keyboard or being trapped with your own thoughts.

Study when there are less distractions 

When you have settled down to study, sometimes it can be easy to get distracted by other people. Even though they mean well, others can be a disruption to your study session. This is why it is useful to experiment with your study times and find the times which are best for you. For some people, this will be during the early morning or late evening, when less people are around to distract. For others, it may be during busy times on campus when everyone else is working. It is important to experiment and find the times which work best for you.

Don’t skimp on sleep

You are more focused when you are not sleepy and when you are alert. Remember to take care of yourself. Don’t subject yourself to only 5 hours of sleep per night because it is not sustainable and can have a negative impact on you in the long term.