Having Trouble Focusing When Doing Schoolwork?

I hear it time and time again. People who are having trouble focusing when they do their schoolwork. This is an even greater problem when you are studying a subject that you do not like or find boring. Hey, it used to happen to me as well. I would read those Philosophy books and would either almost or actually fall asleep.

But now, I learned a few easy and simple things to do to help me focus.

First, if you are studying late at night, do not wear your bedtime clothes. I know that might sound silly, but usually most people wear comfortable clothes before going to bed. It's one thing to be comfortable as to not give yourself back pains while studying, but it's another thing to be so comfortable that you start to day dream and want to fall asleep. So I suggest staying in the clothes that you wore that day. Maybe a pair of jeans even with the belt still on.

Second, do not lay down. I suggest sitting at a table while studying. It will help you from being distracted by daydreaming.

Third, if you can, leave your house to study. I know most don't like going to the library to study, but it honestly help. There isn't a place that's more boring than the library, so that's the perfect place to study. There's no distractions. If you are in your home your more likely to get up and go to the computer, watch TV, or even just stare at things around your room. Distance yourself from these things as much as possible and studying will go much easier.

Can't go to the library? Then find a place in your home that's not distracting. Better yet, if you find that place, make it your official study place. When you go to the place that you have chosen you will have the mindset that you need to study.

Fourth, make sure you have eaten a little. Nothing's more distracting than having an empty stomach while studying. Eat something before you start studying, it will help you focus and will make you retain the information your are studying better. But be careful, eat to much, and you might be proned to falling asleep, but if you follow pointers 1 and 2 you shouldn't have a problem with that.

Fifth, make sure to dedicate at least 1-2 hours of studying. And that's just not total. Make sure that whatever you are studying, you take 1-2 hours to study. No breaks or anything. After that 1 or 2 hours take a break come back and spend 30-45 minutes on the things that you felt most important. This tatic really helps when you are reading books that require you to crtically analyze them. Read through the section of the book without stopping to think about meanings of certain words or ponder certain aspects of the passage. Read through the entire passage. Once you've done that, think about what the overall meaning of the passage was. Once you've found that, go back and read those sections that discuss the main point. Believe it or not, a lot of authors write a lot of fluff into their passages. By following the above tatic, you'll be able to only focus on the important material.

Those are just some quick and simple points that you can use to help make studying a little easier. It might not solve everything but it will get you going in the right direction.