For instance, try setting aside a time you know you can work well such as an hour or 2 before dinner, or if you’re a night owl, after dinner.
Work in hour blocks, with 50 minutes spent studying and 10 minutes spent taking a break. It can also be helpful to move around when you are taking your break, especially if you are working at a screen. Go for a walk outside to get your blood circulating and enjoy some fresh air. You might also want to eat a healthy snack on your break to improve your focus. Avoid junk food and choose something like a handful of nuts, a piece of fruit, veggies, or a small portion of cottage cheese.
Identify which assignments are worth the most points for each class. Most likely these will take the longest to complete. [5] X Research source Consider how long you have to do each project, and if possible, see when the assignment is introduced. Oftentimes, primary and secondary school classes do not have syllabi, so it might be harder to plan out an entire term, but if you are in college, you will most likely have a syllabus with at least a partial course schedule. Knowing how long you have to complete an assignment will help you prioritize which assignments to do first. You can also ask the teacher how long you have to complete an assignment. [6] X Research source
Use highlighters or stickers to mark which assignments are most important. If you’re using an online or mobile schedule, create alerts or notifications for the projects and any time-sensitive steps for those projects.
Don’t let a big project overshadow the smaller assignments you need to complete!
Assignment outlines can help you visualize the necessary tasks to get the assignment done.
A desk or table would be a better location than a couch or a bed.
Turn your phone off or on silent (not vibrate). It might be best to put the phone out of sight, or in another room while you work, as the temptation to text or get on social media can be as much of a distraction as actually using social media. Use an app that blocks social media. There are plenty of applications out there that can help block social media and other distracting sites (such as shopping or gaming sites). [10] X Research source
Use a white noise app to block out noise. Use earplugs or noise-blocking earmuffs. [12] X Research source Work in a quiet place, such as a library or a home office, if you have one. Avoid listening to music while studying. Studies have shown that although listening to music while studying lowers overall performance, this does not affect everyone equally. [13] X Research source However listening to music before studying has been shown to improve performance on cognitive tasks. [14] X Research source
If you’re too afraid to ask a teacher during class, see if you can stay behind to ask your questions.
First, contact your school to see if there are any after-school tutoring programs. While not all primary and secondary schools offer tutoring, a vast majority of universities do. If your school does not offer tutoring, they may know of other resources for you to contact. Then, contact your library to see if they offer any tutoring. [19] X Research source In some areas, there may also be free community tutoring programs. Contact your local community center for more information. There are plenty of private tutors out there as well, but they can be costly (ranging from $20 to $100 an hour). [20] X Research source You can find tutors online through a number of websites, such as Craigslist or Angie’s list.
If you need to work at a library after school, ask your parents or search the web to find your local library.
