Tips to Improve Focus

Try studying in new ways

• Activate your learning: quiz yourself, explain it to a friend, read out loud, make connections, draw pictures, create flashcards, take a walk while you review...
• Set a goal for your study session: What exactly are you trying to accomplish?
• Break it up: Work for 25 minutes, break for 5 minutes, repeat 3-4 times. Take a long break and reward yourself in small ways during each break to inspire motivation. 

Create helpful habits

• Establish external structure by using alarms, lists and reminders. Predictable routines may help cue your brain to focus. Experiment to find what works!
• Begin with the most important or pressing task.
• Set aside one space to study and minimize the clutter and distractions in that space.
• Track assignments and exams for all your classes in one planner. 

Use apps to help

• Set reminders with Todoist
• Incentivize yourself with Forest
• Limit/block websites with StayFocused 

More resources

• HoosFocused: A weekly drop-in group for students who struggle with concentration and/or organization (or know someone who does).
• Student Disability Access Center (SDAC): Academic accommodations.
• Christy Rotman, College Life Skills Coach: Personalized coaching and tips.
• Additional reading: "Fast Minds" and "Driven to Distraction."