Everyone studies hard for final exams but few want to figure out how to improve focus in studies. Some study long hours, stay awake at nights, and still don’t achieve the results. The problem lies in discovering gaps in our focus, so we can spend quality time studying and minimize risks of losing marks in exams.
In fact, a student who is focused always performs consistently well on exams. So, how to improve focus during study? What is a sure way of getting marks? Can we get good marks in less time?
It is surely possible to study smart when one studies with complete focus. If you are willing to learn how you can improve focus, read ahead to find solid advice on improving your focus when studying for an exam.
#1 Make checklists
There are three types of checklists you can make to improve focus:
- Checklist of tasks to do every day
This checklist is the bucket list of things you want to do in a day, such as finish biology homework, take chemistry notes, catch up on math classwork, and so on.
- List of tasks you achieved in a day
This list is a kind of “mini data collection” for each day to increase the study focus, such as, finishing an English essay, didn’t do a math worksheet, forgot to do a physics revision.
- Dream list of short term and long term goals
This one can be managed everyday and is not like the ones mentioned above. Your dream list is a helpful, motivating tool to keep yourself conscious of your goals. Such as, become a doctor, learn how bridges are made, do an experiment.
All of these lists are plans to improve your focus for any subject. Make sure that you use the lists on a regular basis, find any deficiencies or problem areas in achieving your goals, and fix these areas in your lists the next day.
#2 Make a plan for exams
Once you have a time-table for exams, you are ready to make a plan that will increase your study focus. If you have a weekend off before an exam, you can delay its preparation and look for the exams that need to be prepared for in a shorter time. Use the time before exams to plan each exam in detail, such as:
- Exam pattern for each subject
- Marks distribution
- Estimated time required to prepare for each chapter
- Estimated days required for each subject
You can also use this time to gradually decrease other engagements such as sports, meeting relatives and friends, shopping trips, and so on. If you can, try to deliver all other responsibilities before exams.
#3 Collect all the revision material
If you need notes, past-papers, books, or help with any missing topics, you should do all of this before exams. You must not leave any new topics for the last day before the exam, because this is very likely to create panic and loss of sleep. It will also make you focus only on the new topic that you are studying for the first time.
#4 Practice mock or sample tests
The time before exams should not be wasted in random preparation activities. Once you have a plan and have studied all the revision material, you should move on practicing a sample test. You should make sure to time the test and mark yourself afterwards. Notice all the weak areas and focus better in the next sample test.
#5 Try journaling everyday
Writing about your day helps you focus your thoughts better. So, while you are making your checklists everyday, it will help you write your thoughts in a journal. This is a general focusing activity and not specifically related to studies.
Write anything you like. Ideally, just 5-10 lines is enough for a day. You can choose to write about something that inspired you, a good joke or a memorable instant you created that day. It will help you be in the “now”.
#6 Other focusing activities
Some of the activities that can help you focus are:
- Reading books
- Solving crossword puzzles
- Playing memory games
- Playing chess and cards
- Drawing and painting
- A good night’s sleep
- Exercise
#7 Activities that make you lose focus
Some of the activities that may interfere with your focusing abilities are:
- Movies and video games based on flashing and rapid images
- Prolonged traveling
- Disturbed sleep
- Excessive phone, email, or news checking
- Excessive eating
#8 How to increase focus during study and remove distractions
Every time you sit down to study, you should turn your phone completely off. Silent mode is not going to work either. You should attend to any urgent matters before you sit down to study and be mentally free to focus on your studies.
If there is anything that’s bothering you and can be fixed in less than 5 minutes, you should go ahead and first fix it before studying. If there is something that will require more time to fix, you should delay it till you are free from studying.
Removing distractions is the sole reason why some students are able to study with focus for long hours. It also explains why some students can submit an assignment in half the time while others take a long time to finish.
So, how to increase focus during study? If you want to study for long hours productively and finish tasks earlier than others, removing distractions around your study time should be your top priority.
#9 Relax!
When exams come closer, the pressure to do well starts to build up. If you have done all of the above mentioned techniques to increase your focus, now is the time to relax.
Deep breathing for 5 breaths, reading a light book, going for a walk, and casually talking to someone – all are good ways to release stress.
Remember that if stressed out, even the most gifted students can do poorly on exams.
However, all students do find it hard to keep themselves calm before and doing exams. Some find it hard to sleep and some can’t recall anything before the exam.
You should try relaxation techniques first. If they don’t work, then the issue here is not relaxation itself; rather, the issue is a possible lack of preparation. One who is not self confident of preparation, is definitely going to be stressed out.
If you want to be the lucky one on the exam day, there is only one way: Be prepared for the exam. You will always find luck on your side.
#10 Don’t let anything surprise you
Other than preparation of the exam, make sure you know how the exam will be conducted. Many students appearing for board exams, international exams, and computer based tests get confused because:
- Exam venue is in a new place (can be a hotel, hall, ground, or computer room)
- Students aren’t prepared to find a new place
- Students get confused with directions given to them
- Students forget an important identification document at home
- Students are not familiar with exam hall rules, computer, and calculator usage
Therefore, you must not let anything surprise you. Watch a video online of the exam center (if provided), talk to friends who have given the test already, and talk to your teachers to find out what to expect. Remove as many unknowns as possible and don’t let anything surprise you.
If your exam center is in a new place, study the directions on the map, visit the place beforehand and know your way.
#11 Don’t be distracted during an exam
Students who find it hard to concentrate during an exam due to others shuffling, invigilators talking and moving around, need to pay attention to their preparation of the exam.
It may not sound like a direct link, but those who have had a full night’s sleep and have worked hard to prepare, are least likely to be disturbed by anything on the exam day.
Also, if you have practiced letting go of distractions at home, you are very likely to be able to focus well during the exam.
Bonus tips for your final exam preparation
Here are some tips to help you prepare for your final exam:
- Know the syllabus, weightage, and any latest updates from your school or college
- COVID-19 related syllabus changes and marking schemes have been reverted
- Solve past papers, study from textbooks, and make your own notes
- Seek help from online resources to save time
Study focus app – your best option
Syllabus aligned with boards
Noon Academy’s study focus app offers online courses for all primary, middle and secondary classes. The syllabus followed in these classes is based on Punjab Federal, KPK and other boards in Pakistan. So, you won’t have to worry about finding and choosing topics from your textbooks.
Teached-paced classes
All classes are taken in groups. Every class is scheduled, so you know what you will study in the next class. You also have a course timeline to see which chapters have been covered already.
With teacher-led classes, you will always finish the courses. You may abandon self-study courses before finishing them.
Experienced teachers, affordable cost
All primary level courses are free. Other courses are free to join and explore. Once you decide to take the whole course, you just have to pay a one-time affordable fee. You also have a chance to study any matric/O Level or FSc/A Level courses for free with scholarship.
All teachers are highly experienced in their fields.
Zero transport cost. Start studying now!
Online learning has made it possible to reduce your traveling costs. With a study focus app, you can save your commuting time and reduce your fuel costs.
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