Focus Tips and Techniques

Deciding to take an educational exam can be nerve-wracking, but it can be even more daunting when it comes time to actually sit down and study. Mastering material, whether it is just a refresher or completely new, can feel more overwhelming than the actual exam. At least with the exam there is a start and stop time reinforced. The studying portion is completely up to an individual’s discretion.

No one wants to study so little that they feel unprepared for an exam. It would also feel like a waste of time, money, and other resources to take an exam that a student winds up failing. What if a retake option isn’t available? But even if it is, there is going to be a waiting period before you can take it again along with another registration fee. It is important to set aside the best efforts to conquer an exam the first time around.

So how much is too much studying? No student should avoid studying altogether, but is it really beneficial to stay up late into the night to do so? Sacrificing sleep, meals, and other essential daily care is not a healthy option for doing your best. If you are planning to take an exam, you will have to reevaluate your daily routine and time management. However, you will need to prioritize your needs along with your studying. If you look at your schedule and notice that there is not enough time to properly study, perhaps look at where you are spending your time. If you are working full-time, you should not quit your job to study forty hours during the week. However, you will need to increase your efficiency for what you do with your time outside of the workplace. If you have children or other responsibilities, you will surely have to plan your time accordingly and may need to reach out to others for help. If you notice that your schedule truly cannot handle the time to prep for the exam, perhaps you should reconsider your options to give you the best prep schedule or look to schedule the exam for a later date.

For those of you who already know you will be taking the exam, sitting down to implement your studying can be a difficult task. Many people find that merely sitting is enough of an issue to complete work. Create an optimal study environment that promotes healthy focus and concentration for your study habits.

Chores and household tasks will compete for your attention, so leave your house to dedicate your time to studying, indefinitely. If you study best while by yourself and in a silent environment, consider going to a local library. If you prefer soft music and the flow of people, perhaps study in a café or coffee shop. Make sure that you avoid lounge areas with couches and televisions. While it is important to be comfortable when you study, being too comfy can pose problems for your focus. Wear clothing that is not binding or restricting, but be sure to sit in an upright chair at a desk or table. For those of you who have trouble sitting still, locate a high table or coffee bar style desk to mix in your work while standing up.

Once you have your study environment identified, work towards finding a set structure for your goals. After creating a study schedule, implement a 20/5 rule for your study sessions. Put away distractions such as the cell phone or other electronics, have your materials ready to sit down and work efficiently for only twenty minutes. Afterwards, set aside the following five minutes to take a break. During that time, check your phone, take a walk or get a drink of water, use the restroom if needed. Make sure you only take five minutes. It’s easy for five minutes to turn into a ten or even a twenty-minute break. If you can manage setting twenty and five minute timers, do so to keep track.

Once you have completed your 20/5 minute studying, implement another 20/5 session. Use this method to keep on track. Can you do this three times in a row? Keep working at this method and before you know it, you have an hours worth of time towards your studying. If you find that 20/5 is a simple enough task, keep with it if you are certain it’s a method that works for you. If you can accomplish this without any hitches, implement a challenge to push the boundaries on your limits. Keep your break time at five minutes, but push the amount of time you study. Try a 25/5 session. Work towards a 30/5 session. Can you get to a 45/5 session? If you manage this or find that 45 minutes is too long, perhaps try a 30/3. Aim for a 45-minute study session without a break. The goal is to maximize your studying time, so that you can efficiently work towards your goals.

A good place to begin this focusing tactic is while creating your own personalized study materials. Try to write your notes and create your study guide materials with this method. It should help break up the workload both mentally, and allocating time towards different styles of learning. For each interval, utilize another method. Write notes, study flashcards, watch videos, complete a practice quiz, all within different segments. The consistent practice, yet constant change, will help enhance your studying in multiple ways all while simultaneously training and pacing your focus skills.

By the time you sit down for more review, your focusing skills should be built up to help hone in on for your studying. Your studying sessions will be a consistent practice for practicing focus and consistency. What is best about these methods is that they will go beyond any studying time as it will apply towards the workplace as well.

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