We’ve hit the middle of the semester, and it’s the dreaded midterm season. Students can be found scrambling at the Homer Babbidge Library or various study spots around campus, trying to cram as much knowledge into their heads as possible before regurgitating it onto their exams. Finding an effective study strategy is crucial, but it can be hard to truly sit down and focus solely on your studies. Here are some ways to improve your focus, or at least avoid distractions.
Put your phone away
The biggest distraction for anyone under 50 is their phone. Most students end up using their phones in class for various reasons, such as looking up material on Blackboard, texting friends and playing games.
The best way to set up your study space is to only have what you need in front of you. This may include your laptop, textbooks and notebooks. Smartphones are an addiction for some and a habit for most. Having your phone within reach will only steer your attention away from studying. Even while writing this, I’ve grabbed my phone about five times already.
To avoid the urge to grab your phone, put it in a drawer or far out of reach and sight. Turn it off or put it on “do not disturb” mode. This way, you also won’t get notifications through your watch, if you have one connected to your phone.
Find solitude
People are another major distraction. Studying with friends sounds like a great idea, but in practice, it tends to become a hangout rather than a study session. In my experience, group sessions are better for going over the content you missed or are genuinely stumped on. Memorization, on the other hand, is best done alone.
There are many spots around campus for students to work alone. The Homer Babbidge Library offers study areas on each floor, accommodating multiple people or individuals. There are also study rooms available to reserve through their website for students who need privacy, either alone or with others.
Solitude doesn’t necessarily mean silence, as some students work more effectively with background noise of other people working or walking by. Most people wear headphones or earbuds while walking around campus; it’s a universal sign that you should not bother that person or that they’re doing their own thing.
Listen to music
Going off that point, listening to music while studying can help eliminate unwanted background noise, or at least let your mind focus on what’s in front of you. Curate a playlist specifically for studying, or use Lofi Girl, a YouTube channel with multiple livestreams of calming music.
If you’re like me, however, you might be tempted to constantly choose which song to play next or have the urge to replay a song you just heard. This ends up becoming an issue where you are constantly on your phone. Use playlists or continuous videos to combat this.
When I’m tired of listening to the same songs over and over again, I turn to movies or videos instead. As mentioned in a previous Life roundtable, I use YouTube videos of video games as background noise, especially if I’ve watched them before. Although it feeds into my habit of rewatching content rather than finding new stuff, knowing what happens next is a comforting feeling. This makes it easy for me to zone out and tune into studying.
Take it one step at a time
Midterm exams are often scheduled close together, leaving little time to prepare for each one separately. It’s tempting to cram every course in one study session, but this is an ineffective use of your time.
Tackling multiple classes at the same time will burn you out much faster and won’t allow your mind to fully absorb the knowledge you’re consuming. Multitasking is meant for mundane tasks, like talking while washing dishes.
To better focus on each topic, set aside a study session or day for each course. Plan according to which exams come first, or which material you are having the most trouble with.
Take breaks
This sounds like a broken record, but taking breaks is necessary to avoid burning out when studying. During the midterm and finals seasons, students start to look like zombies as they walk to their next class.
Overworking yourself will only negatively impact your performance. This goes for any activity, not just exams. But, how we use our breaks or unwind varies from person to person.
It may not be the healthiest option, but I tend to treat myself to a meal I’ve been craving or a sweet treat after a tiring study session. My go-to are bowls from Eatjoy, Thai milk tea from Whale Tea or an entire six-pack of cookies from Insomnia Cookies.
If you don’t have an appetite, take a nap or watch your favorite show. Some turn to comfort movies like “Pride and Prejudice” to relax or play calming video games like “A Little to the Left.” Ironically, I’ve been playing “Mortal Kombat 1” to relax; performing grotesque fatalities is my safe space.
No matter which advice you choose to take, everyone is trying their best to focus on studying and acing their exams. Considering the advice above, be considerate of those around you. Be quiet in study spaces, don’t take up all the room in the lounges and be mindful of your own health.