Identify and manage distractions.

What distracts you from your study? 

Is it internal: your thoughts, worries, stress, or exhaustion? Or maybe it's physical: your phone, NYT games, that clutter of books on your desk. Whatever it may be, distractions prevent us from achieving a successful study session and actually learning your material. So, how can you combat this? Here's some tips.

1. Spot it early. Identify what is preventing you from your study and minimise it. Maybe it could be having a little snack before you begin, tidying your desk, or even doing a quick five minute meditation to get rid of all those irrelevant thoughts and focus solely on your work. Most importantly, put your phone away! Shove it in a drawer, give it to your mum, switch on do not disturb mode and you're all set.

2. Actively focus your brain. It's natural that your mind will start to wander initially, and you might even reach for your phone without hestitating. But, by minimising these distractions early, it's only inevitable that you'll finally start to focus and get into that study zone. 

3. Reward yourself! Regular breaks are essential to give your brain that boost of serotonin it's craving. Just make sure these breaks are short and sharp to avoid full blown distraction. Maybe you study for 20 minutes, and then have a quick five minute break for a water top-up and TikTok scroll?

If you ever find yourself off-task, simply point it out to yourself. "Is this useful to my study or am I just wasting time?" That tiny recognition goes a long way.