Tips for Studying at Home

Studying at home can be challenging for everyone, especially when exam season looms!
We’ve done our best below to outline 6 helpful tips for studying at home.


 

1. Routine is everything 
   
   Create a routine that works for you, try and treat your study from home as if you were going into the library or classes. Decide what your wake up time will be, shower, eat breakfast and get dressed, essentially, start your day as normal. This signals to your brain that it is time to work.
    
2. Timetabling 
   
   Writing out your tasks for the day and breaking them down into manageable chunks is really helpful for organizing your time, especially when studying more than one subject. Some people like to work on their most difficult subject first when they are at their freshest and most alert, it also means it won’t be hanging over you for the rest of the study session. Make sure to timetable breaks and set a limit for how much time you spend studying each day. 
    
3. No distractions!
   
   It is useful to set your timetable in a way that allows you to focus on one thing at a time, multitasking will heavily impede on your ability to focus. Leaving your phone in another room is a good way to prevent it from distracting you. Alternatively, there are some great apps which act as a timer and a notification blocker which are great for keeping you focused. 
    
4. Tidy room, tidy mind
   
   You've heard the expression tidy room tidy mind, well, this applies to your work space too. Studies have shown that clutter limits productivity and the brain's ability to focus. It is important to have a tidy, comfortable work space which is free of distractions. Another useful tip is to have a designated study area, by doing this you are creating a physical boundary between your study area and relaxation area which will help with your focus.
    
5. Get up and out
   
   Moving around between study sessions helps with alertness, attention and motivation, while helping to build new brain cells to restore information. Taking a walk around the house or doing a few stretches every 45 minutes or so is a practical way to implement this. However, scheduling time for more strenuous movement is also important. When we exercise, the body releases chemicals called endorphins which make us feel great. Taking a walk outside in the fresh air or doing any sort of workout you enjoy will improve your mood and thus your ability to focus.
    
6. You got this!
   
   Stay positive and remember to switch off and relax guilt-free when your day of work is done.