ONE of the biggest problems these days when it comes to studying and exam preparation is the distractions we have around us — be it the TV, computer, smartphone, social media, video games, extra-curricular activities or other people.

If not these, then while studying, thoughts of all kinds invade our mind and make us lose focus. But we can’t let all these things distract us from our studies when the exams are near, so we need to know the ways to remain focused on the task at hand — studying.

Here are some simple ways to regain our focus and shut out all distractions so that we can get the top grades that we want.

THE place your study should be away from distractions, such as TV, and in a quiet place where others in the family don’t sit and talk or move around. Make sure the lighting is good and your table and chair are comfortable.

Remove clutter, a cluttered desk can make your mind cluttered too. So avoid having everything — all the books that you have ever used in school — on the table. Just keep those you will need that day, according to what you have planned to study.

Do not study on your bed — it’s meant for relaxing and sleeping and that’s the message you will give your brain if you sit and study on it.

Organise your study spot

HAVE everything you need to study with you — all books and stationeries should be within your reach. If you get up to get something, you will lose focus.

Turn it off

TURN off electronic devices like computers, cell phones and other gadgets. Only use your computer if you need it for your studies, otherwise you will be tempted to stray and start browsing. Even if it is for a few minutes, it will shift your focus away.

Did you know that there are website and software blockers like SelfRestraint, SelfControl and Think that can keep you away from the websites and software that are the difficult to resist. If you can, block Facebook, at least for a few hours, if not days.

Clarify objectives

KNOW how much syllabus you have to cover and in how much time. Go thought the exam syllabus and truthfully decide which subjects need more attention, maybe because of the lengthy course or because it is difficult and requires a lot of learning.

Then set objectives that should included how much time you will give to which subject, which topics you will do in which order and make sure there is time for revision.

Once you have set a clear goal, you will be in a better position to focus on it and attain it.

Tackle the difficult part first

YOUR power of concentration is higher in the beginning of your study session. Do the most critical and challenging topics and concepts first then move on to the easier ones.

If you do the easier tasks first, you will be thinking and stressing about the harder ones the whole time, reducing your productivity and ability to focus.

Sometimes the least desirable part of an assignment may be too time-consuming and it could drain/kill all your available time. So try to limit your time and self-supervise to move on to easier matters, if absolutely necessary.

Break it up

STUDY for say one hour then take a five-minute break. This will help your brain recharge. But don’t overdo the break, five minutes means five minutes.

The break can mean anything — moving around, having a little snack, chatting with mum, maybe glancing at what your little brother is watching on Cartoon Network, or just closing your eyes and relaxing.

Give in to temptation

YOU can use your break in a useful way by giving in to the temptation that is really making you lose focus while studying. And by ‘temptation’ I mean things like Facebook, messages, phone, etc. Just get it out of your system so that you can relax and get back to studying without your mind wondering if your friends messaged you or not.

I know this is just the opposite of what I advocated earlier, but, let’s be practical, social media and phone addiction are really distracting and can’t be controlled in a day. So rather than wasting hours wondering about them while you should be focusing on learning, check them out and kick out the thoughts to concentrate on the next study session. Ultimately you’ll be able to get more done.

But this step should only be followed when blocking yourself from these distractions is not working.

Change the pattern

IF you have been reading and learning the dates and names in history, after one section/chapter is over, practice a science diagram so that the section of the brain that had been working hard to remember all the information you were cramming into it, can get some time to relax when you start using some different skill. You’ll be less bored too.

Alternate reading with more active learning exercises, such as mind-mapping or writing model answers.

And sometimes you may need to switch subjects to prevent saturating your mind as too much of one subject can make your brain go, literary, on autopilot. Something new will shake and wake it up.

Follow your body clock

THERE are certain times of the day when all of us are supercharged and when we are low. It’s due to our body clock that has its own way of working.

And different people have different peak energy times. Some people learn best early in the morning and can’t keep their eyes open after dinner; others study better late in the night, in fact all night. Whichever is yours, listen to your body and study during that time.

Sleep well

YOU need to have enough sleep each day. No concentration tips and tricks are going to work on a tired body and mind.

Reward yourself

THE thought of a reward — like a chat with your friend, watching your favourite show on TV or playing your favourite game for sometime — can help you stay focused on your task and finish it. But make sure the reward is in accordance with the task you have set yourself to accomplish, not too great for the little work you have done.

Eat well

IF you eat healthy, your mind will be healthy, too. Fruits, vegetables, nuts, lean meat, good fats, whole grains and dairy products constitute a good diet. These will keep your energy level up and make you fit for any task. We tend to neglect our diet when we are busy, this is not right if you want to give your best to anything.

Hope these tips will help you study better for your upcoming exams and get really good grades.Good luck and study well.

Exercises to improve concentration

Exercise 1

Count backwards in your mind, from one hundred to one.

Exercise 2

Count in your mind from one hundred to one, skipping three numbers, that is 100, 97, 94, etc.

Exercise 3

Choose an inspiring word, or just a simple sound, and repeat it silently in your mind for five minutes. When your mind can concentrate more easily, try to reach ten minutes of uninterrupted concentration.

Exercise 4

Take a fruit, an apple, orange, banana or any other fruit, and hold it in your hands.

Examine the fruit from all its sides, while keeping your whole attention focused on it. Do not let yourself be carried away by irrelevant thoughts that might arise, or thoughts about where you bought the fruit, how and where it was grown, etc. Stay calm, ignoring, and showing no interest in these thoughts.

Just look at the fruit, focus your attention on it without thinking about anything else, and examine its shape, smell, taste and the sensation it gives you when you touch it.

Exercise 5

This is the same as exercise as the one above about the fruit, only that this time you visualise the fruit, instead of looking at it.

Start, by looking at the fruit and examining it for about two minutes, just as you did earlier. Then close your eyes, and try to see, smell, taste and touch the fruit in your imagination. Try to see a clear and well defined image. If the image becomes blurred, open your eyes, look at the fruit for a short while, and then close your eyes and continue the exercise.

You may imagine holding the fruit in your hands, as in the previous exercise, or imagine it standing on a table.

Exercise 6

Take a small simple object such as a spoon, a fork, or a glass. Concentrate on one of these objects. Watch the object from all sides without any verbalisation, that is, with no words in your mind. Just watch the object without thinking with words about it.