Like you, a lot of students have difficulty staying focused while they are trying to learn. You’re trying to balance coursework, social activities, and maybe even a part-time job. It’s a lot to handle, and it’s easy to feel like you’re constantly running on empty. 

However, you can do a few things to improve your focus and make the process a bit easier. Read on to learn nine tips on how to study better. 

1. Develop a Healthy Attitude Toward Learning

It can be difficult to stay motivated when you feel like you're just going through the motions in school. However, it is critical to remember that learning is more than just memorizing facts and regurgitating them on exams. 

It is much easier to stay motivated in school when you take the time to look at the big picture. After all, what's the point of learning if you're not going to put it to good use? It is all about acquiring the skills and knowledge required to succeed in life. 

So, the next time you're down, remember that your education is an investment in your future. It's much easier to stay motivated and do your best in school if you keep this in mind.

2. Create Positive Views About Your Abilities

School can be a great place to explore your hidden talents. By trying new things and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, you may be surprised at what you're capable of. It's important not to set yourself up for failure by thinking that you're simply not capable of improving. 

When filled with negative thoughts about your abilities, replace them with positive thoughts. This can make your academic career. You may find that you have hidden talent in the subject you avoid. 

3. Develop Good Study Habits

There is no shortcut to academic success. You'll have to study sooner or later. However, studying is advantageous. In fact, with a little effort, you might enjoy it. 

To develop good study habits, you must first organize your time. You can do this by making a daily schedule and including time for studying. Make sure to include breaks in your schedule so you don’t get overwhelmed.

4. Learn to Eliminate Distractions

Distractions can come from many sources, including conversations, music, television, and even ambient noise. Anyone who has tried to study in a noisy environment knows that it can be difficult to focus on your studies. 

When trying to learn new information or review for an upcoming test, it's important to create a distraction-free environment. That means finding a quiet space where you won't be interrupted or wearing headphones to block out noise. 

If you're struggling to focus, don't be afraid to move. It may be frustrating to pack up your things and find a new study spot, but it's worth it if it means you'll be able to concentrate. 

Put your phone on silent or vibrate. You can always check for messages after you've finished studying. You can even lock your apps for a specific period.

5. Study With Friends or Join a Study Group

There are plenty of benefits to studying with friends. For one, it can be more enjoyable than studying alone. And when you're more engaged with the material, you'll likely retain more information. 

Furthermore, studying with friends can help keep you accountable. If you have a study session scheduled, you're less likely to cancel or put it off. And finally, working with others can help you gain different perspectives on the material you're covering.

6. Study When Well Rested

Its common knowledge that pulling all-nighters is not the best way to study for exams. Not only will you be sleep deprived, making it more difficult to focus and retain information, but you're also more likely to make mistakes. 

Studies have shown that well-rested students perform better on tests than sleepy students. However, many students still try to push through and study when tired. A better strategy is to focus on getting a good night's sleep before your exam. 

7. Eat Brain Food

Maintain a well-balanced diet to get your brain's nutrients to function at their best. A good study habit is to go for snacks that will power your brain and keep you alert. Steer clear of items high in sugar, fat, and processed carbs. 

Eating breakfast jump-starts your metabolism and provides the energy you need to be alert and focused throughout the day. Here are some foods to keep in mind:

• Citrus fruits
• Berries
• Dark chocolate
• Eggs
• Nuts
• Fish
• Avocados
• Broccoli
• Beets
• Turmeric
• Coffee
• Green Tea
• Orange, green, and red vegetables

8. Understand, Not Just Memorize the Subject

Simply memorizing the information is not always enough. It is also important to understand the material in order to apply it to real-world situations. 

For example, a history student may memorize the dates of important events. Still, if they do not understand the historical context, they will not be able to answer questions on an exam correctly. 

9. Be the Teacher From Time to Time

When you're learning something new, it can be helpful to think about how you would teach it to someone else. 

Doing this allows you to test your understanding of the material and fill in any knowledge gaps. You can also ask a friend or family member to listen to your explanation, which will help you to remember the details and spot any areas where you need more information. 

Reciting your presentation aloud will also help you to focus on the task at hand and ensure that you cover all the important points. With a bit of practice, you'll be able to explain any concept, no matter how complex, confidently.

Conclusion

Follow these nine tips, and you'll be well on your way to creating great study habits that will help you grow.  Just remember to get enough sleep, eat healthily, create a study schedule, take breaks, find a quiet place to study, get rid of distractions, understand what works best for you, and make time for yourself.

Remember that every student is different and will learn best using different techniques. Experiment with the ones that work for you, find what works and stick with it, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. 

If you're looking for a way to block apps so you can be more present in your life, Opal is here to help. Opal, the #1 Screen Time App, is designed to help you schedule your days, block distracting apps and focus fully on any device.

Here's How to Block Apps with Opal:

• Download Opal from the App Store and sync the Chrome extension.
• Create an App Group to block specific social media sites;
• Start a session.

Yes, it's that easy! While you'll still be able to open your apps, you won't be able to refresh your feed and see any new posts.

Say hello to focusing on better things.