This post was inspired by the one question students ask year after year:

“Why Can’t I Remember Anything?“

More often than not, it’s a focusing and attention issue, not a memory problem.

An important distinction described in the psychology video & article below:

Psychology Article: 5 Ways to Focus Better

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“How can I focus better when I study?”

Preparation is half the victory.

1. REIGNITE your motivation.

• Revisit why you are studying in the first place.
• To one day save someone’s life as a nurse.
• To protect vulnerable children from abuse.
• To create a business that will employ displaced workers.
• Your future self will thank you for the sacrifices you make today.

2. BORE yourself silly before you study.

• Studying pales in comparison to relaxing on a comfortable couch watching your favourite tv show on Netflix.
• Which is one more reason to do nothing (no television, no internet) long enough that hanging out with textbooks sounds like a party!
• For example: Stare at a blank wall until you are so bored that all you want to do is study. No kidding!
• The quieter your mind becomes, the better your focus will be.

3. Create a SACRED SPACE for studying.

• The physical act of preparing a space can be very calming for students.
• Clear all visual clutter. Clean your room. Organize your desk.
• Make your space a welcoming, energizing, inspirational place to be.
• Add in vibrant colours, fresh notebooks, lightly scented candles, bright overhead lights.
• Your studying deserves this level of respect.

4. Prepare yourself PHYSICALLY before you study.

• Think of yourself as an academic athlete!
• Fuel your mind. Energize your body.
• Drink more water. Hydrate!
• Research has tied dehydration to lack of focus, low energy, and negative moods.
• Eat small meals frequently throughout the day.
• Get a good night’s sleep. Exercise. Meditate.

5. Clear out MENTAL CLUTTER.

• Empty your mind of your to do lists, worries, and what ifs before you study.
• Write them down and put them in a worry box to be tended to once exams are complete.
• Repetitive thoughts running through your head could be your biggest distraction.

6. Remove ALL distractions.

• Shut off your phone. Hide it away. Just looking at it takes up mental space.
• And if you can’t trust yourself – lock your phone in the trunk of your car and give a trusted friend the key until you are done studying. No kidding!
• You’ll miss it for the first 20 minutes of your study session, then you’ll forget all about it.
• Bonus = you’ll get twice as much work done in half the time.

7. Be an ACTIVE studier.

• Do not passively read the textbook – you will fall asleep, I guarantee it!
• Instead, engage with the material.
• Get active. Make the chapter come alive!
• Do practice tests. Read the textbook chapters out loud.
• Have a classmate or friend quiz you.
• Teach the subject to someone, anyone!

8. Be slightly UNCOMFORTABLE while you study.

• Do not sit or lie on your bed when you study.
• Sit up straight in an office chair.
• Keep the temperature cool.
• Be slightly uncomfortable.
• This will help keep you alert and awake.

9. Take frequent MOVEMENT breaks.

• Study breaks are optimal at 5-15 minutes in length.
• Study sessions should not be longer than 45 minutes at a time.
• And when you take your breaks aim to burn off your restless energy.
• Move!  Sing a song. Draw a picture. Clap out loud!
• Open a window. Smell fresh air. Go outside. Hug a tree!

10. REWARD yourself… eventually!

• Use the Premack Principle to reward yourself.
• Delayed gratification can be an excellent tool for sustaining attention and motivation.
• Make a list of all the things that are distracting you from studying and use them as rewards once all your studying is done.
• Go to Starbucks as a reward for studying, not as your location to study. (Too many distractions!)
• Bonus = you’ll get twice as much work done in half the time and you’ll have a special treat to look forward to when all your hard work is done.
• Your success is worth the wait!