Studying can be a tedious task, especially when the material you’re studying doesn’t exactly capture your interest. Your ability to focus, however, crucially affects your learning because the time you usually have to prepare for your exams as a 9th or 10th class student is short. Every minute matters, and as you watch the hours tick by, your stress levels understandably rise. With the help of these tips, you can easily get rid of this problem. Get rid of any distractions This tip seems obvious but it’s true that people constantly neglect it. How can you expect to stay focused when you constantly have distractions in your environment? You can use website blockers to stop yourself from spending all your time on social media websites. Turn off the notifications on your phone and desktop (or better yet — turn off the wifi on your devices if you can), choose a calm place to study, and don’t let yourself get distracted by unnecessary things. Involve your senses Involve as many senses as possible. Read whatever you’re studying aloud so you listen to your own voice. Research shows that our mind focuses on our own voice better. And while you’re listening to a lecture, make sure to note some things down. This will keep your attention tied to the topic. Involve as many senses as possible. Read whatever you’re studying aloud so you listen to your own voice. Research shows that our mind focuses on our own voice better. And while you’re listening to a lecture, make sure to note some things down Start each morning with exercise Working out is important to keep your body, including your brain, functioning the way it should be. Even 20 minutes are enough to get your blood flowing, and this significantly improves your brain’s performance. Maintain a healthy diet You are what you eat. Try including foods that will boost brain function and let you stay alert and avoid skipping meals. Nutrients that are especially important for your brain are omega 3 fatty acids, flavonoids, vitamin b, and some others. They’re found in oily fish, dark leafy greens, berries, and nuts. Do not binge on food and avoid greasy snacks as much as you can. Substitute candy and other sweets with fruits and keep yourself hydrated throughout the day. Structure information Our minds digest information better when it’s structured, and it’s easier to concentrate when you can see a clear pattern in which your material is organized. Use headings and categorize what you have to study in steps. For example, if you need to study the human digestive system, start by writing down the functions of each organ in a list that’s to-the-point. Don’t force yourself to read through long and boring paragraphs of unending text when you need to understand a concept. Make your own notes as you study and then learn from them. Relate old concepts with new ones This is something that our mind often does automatically. It’s human nature to compare new information with something that we are already familiar with. If you’re studying a new concept, it would be best to find any associations it might have with concepts that you have previously studied. This is why it’s easier to understand difficult concepts through examples and visual representations. Doing so will not only make it easier for you to retain the material, but it will also let you keep your focus on your studying.