Buzz
You want to study, you want to listen to your teachers, you want to absorb all the knowledge in class; but why is it so... boring! It’s tough to focus on understanding what Avogadro's number means when your mind keeps wandering to thoughts of dating that cute guy or girl in your class after school. However, you can achieve this with a few physical and mental tricks. Like everything related to school, this task requires diligence and determination. Once you’ve built this skill, you’ll be glad you put in the effort because it’s truly worth it.
Steps
Control Your Thoughts
Eliminate Distractions. The most basic thing you can do to help yourself stay focused in class is to remove distractions. Many things can steal the attention that should be devoted to the lesson. Pay attention to what you’re doing when you lose focus. Once you identify this, you can find ways to eliminate it.
- Distractions include items like computers, phones, and small toys. Distractions can also come from your surroundings, such as a disruptive classmate or the classroom window.
- The best way to deal with distractions is to physically remove them. For example, if a classmate is distracting you, move to a different seat. Your teacher will understand and will likely be happy to help you switch seats.
Focus on the present. You must strive to keep your mind from wandering away from the classroom. Don’t daydream! Stay grounded in the current moment, setting aside other thoughts for later. Though challenging, this approach will greatly benefit you if you can master it.
- You might catch yourself thinking about things like video games, plans after school, your crush (or the lack thereof), friends, family… or even imaginary scenarios like the book you’re engrossed in or places you dream of visiting.
- You’ll need to train your mind to refocus. Try to notice when your thoughts drift and force yourself back to the lesson. Over time, this will become a habit, and you’ll find yourself daydreaming less.
- Even if you’re thinking about another aspect of school, like an upcoming test, you must pause and return to the present. While tests are important, you won’t absorb the necessary information if your mind is elsewhere.
Refocus when necessary. Pay attention to the thoughts running through your mind. When you notice yourself thinking about something other than the lesson, redirect your focus. Try repeating the teacher’s words in your head and emphasizing key points.
- One thing you might want to practice is building your concentration. Test your ability by attempting a challenging task while listening to loud, distracting music. Like any skill, focus can be developed and improved with practice.
Talk to your teacher about learning methods. Everyone learns differently. The teaching style your instructor uses might not be the best fit for you, or there might be other methods that help you learn more effectively. Take the time to discuss with your teacher about strategies they think could help you grasp the material better.
- Ask about learning techniques. Some people learn better with visuals, while others excel with auditory input. These methods are called learning styles, and there are many of them. You can ask your teacher to help identify the most effective style for you and how to apply it during class.
- Try customizing lessons or assignments to make them more engaging. You can also request additional tasks or projects to explore the material in a way that works better for you. If you’re serious about learning and put in the effort, your teacher will likely be willing to help you find a solution.
Create your own motivation. When you’re highly motivated, staying focused becomes easier. Of course, if your teacher or class doesn’t inspire you, you’ll need to find your own drive. This task can be tough but rewarding: you’ll reap the benefits of learning, whether or not others support you. There are many ways to spark motivation and enthusiasm for studying, and the approach depends on your personality.
- Look for aspects of the subject that interest you. This can make the rest of the class more engaging, as you’ll feel like you’re building a foundation for the knowledge you want to gain. For example, you might not love history, but you’re fascinated by medieval knights. Try imagining how the historical facts you’re learning relate to those knights, and this connection can help you focus more easily on the material.
Change Your Actions
Prepare before class. Sometimes, having the right mindset is all it takes to focus. Before class begins, review your homework, read the textbook, or go over notes from the previous session. This action puts your brain into “learning mode,” making it easier to concentrate.
- Preparing all necessary materials and organizing your workspace also helps. This reduces distractions, such as having to borrow a pencil because yours is dull.
Find a better environment. By changing your surroundings, you can help yourself focus better. This isn’t just about removing distractions, though that certainly helps. Simply moving seats can make a difference, as it alters what you can do. For example, sitting at the front of the class might help you focus because you know the teacher is watching. Sitting away from friends is also beneficial, as it reduces the temptation to chat.
Actively participate in class. Contributing to the lesson can also improve your focus. Engaging in activities keeps your mind on the material and prevents it from wandering. Any form of participation helps, whether it’s asking questions, joining group projects, or participating in discussions.
- Ask questions. A great way to engage is by asking questions. If something is unclear or you want to learn more about what the teacher just said, raise your hand. Even focusing enough to listen for questions you might ask can boost your concentration.
Take notes. Note-taking helps you focus on what the teacher is explaining, even if you don’t think you’ll need the notes later. If you can use those notes to study, even better! As the teacher lectures, jot down outlines and add notes for complex topics. You’ll find yourself more focused before you realize it.
- If you’re unsure how to take notes, we can help you!
Do additional research. Sometimes, losing focus in class happens because you don’t understand what the teacher is saying. This is normal and understandable. You’ll find it easier to concentrate if you do extra research to grasp the material better. At the very least, studying outside class compensates for your difficulty focusing during lessons. You can find additional information on any subject from various online sources. You might even find resources for certain subjects on Mytour.
- For example, if you’re struggling with math, try using apps like Math is Fun or Wolfram Alpha to help you learn.
Develop habits. Lack of focus is essentially a bad habit. Like any habit, you can break it by replacing it with a better one. Try creating a system that helps you concentrate during class, dedicating that time solely to school and studies, while saving other times for relaxing activities you enjoy. By teaching your brain which parts of the day are for specific activities, you can train it to focus.
Fuel Your Body
Get enough sleep. Sleep is crucial for maintaining focus at school. If you stay up too late or don’t rest properly to allow your brain to fully recover, there’s little you can do to stay focused during the day. Monitor your sleep habits to see what changes you can make.
- Doctors recommend that children under 12 get 10 hours of sleep daily. Older individuals should aim for 8 to 9 hours. However, some may need more, while others require less. Experiment to find what works for you.
- Remember, oversleeping can also lead to fatigue. If you increase your sleep but still feel sluggish, you might be sleeping too much.
Eat right to nourish your brain. If you don’t eat enough or lack essential nutrients over time, your brain will suffer. Just like sleep, without proper nutrition, improving focus becomes nearly impossible. Review your diet and identify what adjustments are needed.
- Include plenty of vegetables, some fruits, healthy whole grains, and lean proteins. Good options include kale, broccoli, spinach, apples, citrus fruits, bananas, brown rice, quinoa, oats, fish, skinless chicken, and turkey.
- Avoid caffeinated drinks, or at least use caffeine cautiously. While it helps some people focus, it can make others too restless to concentrate for long periods. You also risk caffeine-induced fatigue.
Drink plenty of water. Your body needs ample water to function smoothly. Dehydration can cause headaches and make it hard to focus. The right amount varies by individual, but a good way to check is by observing your urine. Light-colored urine means you’re hydrated, while dark urine signals you need more water.
- Stick to plain water. Drinks like soda or packaged fruit juices can actually reduce your ability to concentrate.
Exercise to reduce stress. Some people are naturally more active. Their bodies require more movement to feel energized. Concentration also consumes a lot of energy and can leave both the body and mind exhausted. If you feel restless sitting in class, try doing some light exercises between lessons or during breaks. This can help calm your body and mind, allowing you to focus better. Exercise can also wake you up if you’re feeling drowsy.
- Try jumping jacks or running in place. You can also jog around the schoolyard or play games with friends if time allows.
Train your ability to focus. Focus requires practice. It’s a fact. Like muscles, the brain needs training to strengthen areas that need to perform better. You’ll need to practice if you want to improve your concentration.
- One effective way to practice is through meditation. Sit still and try to clear your mind, focusing only on something simple like breathing in and out through your nose.
Tips
- Stay hydrated! Drinking more water prevents dehydration, detoxifies your body, avoids overeating and obesity, and helps you maintain focus! Always carry a water bottle with you.
- Try to find interest in the topics your teacher is covering. If the class is engaging, focusing won’t be as difficult.
- Sit at the front of the class for a clearer view and easier focus.
- Some morning exercise can help you feel alert and energized for school.
- Taking notes is a useful way to study and makes boring classes go by faster.
- Clear unnecessary items from your desk to help maintain focus.
- If allowed, chewing strong mint gum during class can keep you awake if you feel sleepy.
- Your friends might distract you, but try not to pay attention to them.
- If it’s chilly outside, ask your teacher to open a window—the cool air can help you stay alert.
- Unless you really need your phone, consider leaving it at home. This way, you won’t be tempted to use it, no matter how much you want to. If that’s not possible, try setting up parental controls to block apps or websites you frequently use.
Warnings
- Make every effort to stay focused during a boring class. It’s much harder to concentrate in a dull lesson, so mentally prepare yourself to put in extra effort.
- Falling asleep in class negatively impacts your learning and can lead to detention or even worse consequences!
- Caffeine might keep you alert and energized for a short while, but it often leads to a crash later, so it’s not always a good idea. Make sure you know how your body reacts to caffeine before relying on it during class.
