Finding Focus – 5 Focus And Concentration Tips For High School Seniors
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A lot of diligent high school students notice that it is not until the lead-up to important exam periods that they begin to feel muddled and fatigued. Inconvenient as it is, this is actually a normal reaction that can be caused by stress or the feeling of pressure you probably associate with VCE and exams. To help you stay focused and on-task during your final high school years, here are five tips to consider:
1. Talk Things Over With Your Tutor
A VCE tutor is not just someone who answers extra questions you didn’t manage to go over in class. They are your one-on-one support person for your VCE subjects. In addition to providing advice about the learning materials, they are also qualified to help you cope with the structure of exams.
Scheduling in some VCE tutoring online can be a great way to get clarity on your studies, discuss your progress, and work out how to best manage your time so that you can stay productive.
2. Literally Block Your Distractions
With so many distractions at our fingertips on our mobile devices and computers, it’s no wonder people struggle to stay on task when studying. Adding to the difficulty is the fact that you need your devices to get the work done!
Cut off your digital distractions at the source by blocking or deleting your most used entertainment and social media apps or using ‘Do Not Disturb Mode’ for your study sessions. If you find that you keep reaching for your phone, leave it with another member of the house until you finish.
3. Prioritise Sleep As Much As Study
Studying is often synonymous with late nights and losing sleep, but doing so can actually be very detrimental to your productivity. Studies have revealed that deep sleep is vital for learning and memory. So, not only is depriving yourself of sleep an unhealthy habit that will leave you tired but it can also worsen your concentration and ability to retrieve memories when you need them (like in the exam room). Do yourself the favour of prioritising sleep every night.
4. Take A Daily 10-Minute Exercise Break
Exercise is one of the simplest things you can do to stay alert and improve your concentration. Of course, making time for heart-pumping movement can be difficult when you have a demanding schedule.
Don’t feel discouraged if you can’t find the time to take an hour-long fitness class or join a sports team. Instead, focus on getting at least ten minutes of cardio every day. It could be as basic as a power walk or dancing in your room during your normal study break. You won’t regret it. Mini exercise moments help boost your mood, even in the busiest times.
5. Maintain Your Social Connections
To some, it may seem odd to promote socialising in your most demanding study years. However, we’re not recommending constant partying! Rather, it’s important to make time for your family and friends.
If you feel like you’re struggling to cope with the challenges of VCE, speaking to friends or classmates who are going through the same experience can be a great relief. You can even study together to lighten the mood. These are the times you’ll remember long after high school is through.
You’ll have noticed now that a lot of these tips are based on healthy habits and communication. VCE and study scores are important challenges, but they are not worth losing sleep over. Follow these tips, do the best you can, and make some lasting memories this year!
