Students who struggle to focus while studying or working on their own should know that many students feel the same frustrations and stresses. Being easily distracted does not always mean the student does not care or is not trying. Some students just need a more focused study space to focus on their work. Distractions are normal and everyone suffers from them from time to time. If study time is impacted because a child is easily distracted, it is time to talk to your child about improving their focus. A great barrier to motivation is the time commitment and hard work that study sessions require. Students should know that improving their focus can make studying much more efficient, minimizing the time that is necessary to reach daily study goals. Instead of wasting time, develop your concentration and focus to make each study session count!
There are many ways to help resolve your student’s poor focus habits. Parents can encourage their students to improve their quality of sleep, minimize distractions in their workspace, develop a consistent study routine, and take small breaks are good starting points for students looking to improve their focus. If your child is struggling to concentrate on their studies, it is also a good idea to avoid multitasking, focus on weaknesses, and minimize procrastination.
- Sleep
It is proven that a lack of sleep inhibits our alertness and concentration. With a heavy courseload, many responsibilities, and higher pressure than ever, most middle school and high school students suffer from a lack of sleep. If your student’s ability to focus has taken a sudden hit, then it is a good idea to talk about the importance of sleep. Exhaustion does not couple well with efforts to learn new skills and retain information. Study time may be massively ineffective without proper sleep.
If a busy schedule pushes your student’s studies late into the night, they may need to reorganize their schedules to permit earlier bedtimes. Overcommitting to activities and responsibilities after school is harmful to your student’s sleep schedule. If your child is not getting enough sleep, help them set boundaries in their academic life to improve their mental health.
- Minimize Distractions In Study Space
Creating a study space that minimizes distractions makes a big difference in a student’s ability to focus for more than a couple of minutes. Some students find that noise-canceling headphones block out distracting activity and sound so they can focus on the task at hand. Other students find that working alone is the most productive environment for them to focus in. Help your child maximize their capacity to focus by removing distracting sounds, background activities, discussions, and people from their study space. Creating an ideal learning environment makes a huge difference for students who struggle to concentrate.
- Study At The Same Time And Place To Establish A Routine And Train Your Brain
It is also a good idea to establish a study schedule that fits into your student’s daily routine. Working in the same space every day, at the same time, with the same playlist or study tools offers an opportunity to train your brain. Once your student develops a consistent routine, their brain begins to recognize when it is time to work.
If you do not know where to start, then setting a schedule is a good first step. Consider these questions:
- How much time is necessary to accomplish the goals you have set for yourself?
- How many days per week do you need to designate study hours?
- How many hours per day do you need to commit to studying?
Once you have an understanding of the commitment you need to make, you can develop a plan and set a routine in motion. Routines are a good way to keep your student on track for short-term goals and long-term goals.
- Take Small Breaks
Taking small breaks throughout longer study sessions is important. Students who struggle to focus during their study sessions will need to build up their endurance to be able to focus for longer periods of time. Taking small 5-minute breaks every 50 minutes is a good schedule to stick to. If a student needs to take breaks more regularly, they can start taking 5-minute breaks every half hour and build up their endurance over time.
During the small breaks, students should be sure to remain productive. Students should make a plan for their time to reset: as a parent you can encourage them to grab a snack, check their calendar, or stretch their legs. It’s important to avoid distracting tasks that waste time. Small breaks become big wastes of time if your child is not disciplined! But, small breaks in their studies are important to avoid overwhelming their brains and letting distractions in.
- Try Not To Multitask
One habit that impacts students’ study skills is trying to accomplish multiple tasks at once. Working on one thing at a time is the most effective way to stay focused. If your child struggles to work efficiently or has a habit of bouncing from one assignment to another, encourage them to work through their to-do list one item at a time to give them the best opportunity to stay focused until the job is done.
Trying to focus on multiple different assignments at once can be tempting if your student has a lot to accomplish in a short period of time. Still, parents should encourage their students to avoid distractions! Sometimes, the biggest distractions are the other items on a to-do list. If your child is overwhelmed by their list of responsibilities, help them itemize their goals to check things off efficiently without bouncing from one task to another.
- Focus On The Things You Need To Improve
Focusing attention on the skills they need to improve is a good way for students to stay motivated and engaged in their studies. If your student struggles to work efficiently, they may need some support in organizing their priorities. Focusing on weaknesses and building a study plan that centers on improvement is a key strategy for students looking to maximize the results of their study time. If your student gets distracted while figuring out the best place to start their studies, encourage them to identify the skills, topics, or problems they struggle with the most. By prioritizing weak performance areas, your student can concentrate on their improvements which keeps them engaged in their efforts and accountable for their time.
- Do Not Procrastinate
Procrastination is a huge source of anxiety for students and falling into the habit of putting off study time is a sure way for students to decrease the efficiency of their work. Distractions like social media, conversations nearby, and people around them can make it easy for students to procrastinate and waste time. If their priorities are unclear, scheduled study time may begin to take a backseat in daily routines. If you find that your student is distracted easily or putting off their studies, focus on establishing priorities to help them make the most of study time.
If focusing is the issue that is holding your child back from their goals, know that there are effective solutions to try (as listed in this article). As you help your child navigate a busy study schedule alongside a long list of responsibilities, then you may consider hiring someone to support them and hold them accountable for their efforts. If study sessions occur on paid time, students respect the financial investments made on their behalf. Sometimes the best way to get your child to focus is by raising the stakes. Parents who are looking to support their students can find tutors who specialize in time management, scheduling, organizing, and setting goals. FLEX College Prep offers admissions consulting, college counseling, tutoring, and test preparation for students seeking guidance and support. To find the best tutor for your child, check out FLEX College Prep!
Students need to stand out in the competitive admissions landscape. FLEX College Prep is a team of the best strategists in the industry and takes a holistic approach to ensure students use their pre-college years in intentional, enriching, and personally satisfying ways. Since 2001, we’ve worked with families to help students unlock their potential and find happiness, meaning, and success in college and beyond.