What not to do while studying? The key is to schedule your time, and to give it your all. Set aside a time each day to study and reward yourself for finishing your work.
Do not doodle, watch TV, or call friends during this time. Instead, assign tasks to complete and go back to them when you’re done. Once you’ve finished your work, reward yourself with something fun and rewarding.
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Avoiding Distractions
If you want to get better grades, avoid distractions while studying. There are many factors that will get in the way of a student’s focus, including loud music, television, or video games.
Depending on the type of distraction, light video games are acceptable, but avoid playing them during the actual study session.
You can also take breaks by making a snack or cleaning your room. Avoid these distractions by following these simple tips.
Make a schedule. For example, if you have an English exam on Tuesday and a biology exam on Monday, you might choose to study biology for two hours on Monday and leave English until Tuesday.
In this case, post the schedule so that others know what you’re studying. This way, everyone knows when you’re studying and won’t get confused.
Keeping your schedule and eliminating distractions is a major part of maximizing your studying time.
Whenever possible, use a word or phrase to focus on. For example, if you’re studying in a library, you’re likely to be distracted by people texting.
Try to identify the specific distraction and remind yourself to concentrate on your task. If it doesn’t work, use a different word. Then, when it comes back, repeat this phrase. Repeat this every time you encounter a distraction.
Avoiding Caffeine
When it comes to studying, moderation is key. Caffeine is bad for you in excess, but can actually help you. Avoid drinking energy drinks and sugary sodas before studying.
Drinking a cup of coffee or tea can increase your alertness and energy, but will crash you later. Instead, drink herbal tea and keep yourself well-hydrated.
If you can’t do without your caffeine fix, consider finding a study buddy to keep you awake and reduce the monotony of studying by studying with.
The type of coffee you drink can also affect your study. A Venti Ooey Gooey Caramel Frappuccino contains a lot of syrup and whip cream, and is not good for you.
Iced green tea has no sugar and is more beneficial than a sweetened London Fog Tea Latte. If you must drink a coffee, try drinking cold brew instead. It contains more caffeine than a regular coffee.
When it comes to studying, caffeine has its pros and cons. It helps you focus but it can also make you more prone to distractions and insomnia.
Experts recommend three to four cups of coffee a day, but if you exceed that, you may experience sleep problems, anxiety, or insomnia.
However, if you are a student and need your energy to study, coffee is beneficial. Just make sure to stay away from high doses of caffeine.
Avoiding Sugar
Many studies have shown that limiting your intake of sugar while studying can enhance your brain power. Sugar provides our bodies with energy in the form of glucose, and it is the best source of this energy.
Sugary processed foods and carbohydrates are the easiest ways to get your body the glucose it needs.
Luckily, you can curb your sugar cravings by making healthy snacks and meals that are high in protein and healthy fats. Listed below are some tips for studying without the extra calories and sugar.
Depending on your body type and the time of day, different foods may work better for you. When you are studying, glucose is critical to keep the brain functioning properly.
Sugary snacks and meals cause the blood sugar level to rise and fall, which can lead to fatigue, food cravings, and difficulty staying focused.
Also, sugary foods are more quickly digested on an empty stomach, which can cause your concentration to suffer. To counteract this, you may try eating whole grain cereal.
Although added sugar is important for our health, most Americans get far more sugar than the recommended amount of added sugar.
While many Americans consume too much sugar, the best way to limit your intake is to focus on eating real foods rather than highly processed foods.
Studies have shown that the body uses glucose for energy, so a diet high in sugar can lead to memory loss. To make your brain function optimally, limit your intake of sugar and focus on your studies.
Avoiding TV
If you are a college student, you should avoid watching TV while you study. Using TV as a mental break is not healthy and will only discourage you from doing better.
In college, productivity is a must, and it is essential to be productive. There are many other ways to relax and stimulate your brain while you study.
Here are a few ideas for you to try. These are also enjoyable activities you can do while watching TV.
It might not be possible to completely cut off your television. But you can turn it on as background noise. Some people find it easier to focus with some background noise, like a radio or television.
If you can’t avoid TV while studying, try turning on the volume low and opt for soft music. If you must watch TV, choose shows that don’t contain violence or loud music. You can also watch it at a distance.
Another way to avoid watching TV while studying is to avoid having large screens in the room. Children’s bedrooms should be a place where they can study without being distracted by a big screen.
Using a computer on a desk is an excellent alternative for watching TV while studying. You can still do both activities, but avoid watching TV during the time you study. This will allow you to focus on the subjects you need.
However, keep in mind that excessive TV watching has negative effects on your health.
Avoiding Music
While you should listen to music in moderation while studying, you should avoid listening to songs that are too familiar.
While listening to familiar songs may distract you from studying, they can actually help you retain the material. Moreover, unfamiliar songs usually contain different instruments, lyrics, and structures.
Therefore, it is better to listen to new songs. It is also better to avoid playing radio or television commercials while studying. This way, you won’t be distracted by the noise.
Listening to music while studying can have multiple benefits, from enhancing your concentration to fostering social interaction. Moreover, music can also serve as a form of therapy or entertainment.
However, music that has lyrics can also detract from your ability to focus. Instead of listening to your favorite songs, you can listen to instrumental tracks with a steady beat.
Some research even suggests that soundtracks can enhance concentration. Lastly, classical, jazz, and electronic music can also help you focus. However, if you are unable to avoid listening to any music, you can also opt for silence.
Studies have proven that students who listen to music while studying are less productive and do not absorb as much information.
Studies have also shown that listening to loud music can impact your reading comprehension. It is also detrimental to your mood. Nevertheless, music can enhance your memory.
Despite these potential disadvantages, many people find that it helps them retain knowledge. The reason is because listening to music can train the brain to focus on tasks and to make accurate predictions.
Taking Unnecessary Breaks
Taking regular breaks while studying can improve your concentration, boost your success, and boost your mental health. While students may feel pressure to finish everything on their lists before exams or midterms, it is better for them to take regular breaks and take short walks.
These breaks are beneficial for their health and will increase their energy levels, so they are definitely worth the time.
But, students who are too busy for such activities should consider the benefits of taking these breaks instead of cramming for exams.
Studies show that taking frequent breaks will increase your focus and make you more productive. Studies have shown that students who take breaks between periods of intense study show higher test scores and higher grades, and also report less emotional exhaustion.
Take short breaks while studying and gradually build up to longer ones. Also, a short break every two hours is beneficial, and will keep you from becoming overly fatigued.
And if you’re worried about missing a test or an exam, don’t worry! There are plenty of apps and sites online that will help you take breaks while studying.
Taking a break while studying will help you remember what you’ve learned. This will also help improve your mood and focus on the task at hand.
Another helpful tip is to use a timer to remind yourself to take breaks when needed. Taking longer breaks is especially good if you’re studying for an exam that will take all day.
If you can’t decide whether to take a break every few hours, then consider adjusting your schedule accordingly.
