6 Tips for Staying Focused in Class
You know you should care about what your teacher is saying, but you cannot seem to focus. Two rows in front of you someone is watching a basketball tournament on his laptop. Your phone keeps buzzing with notifications from Instagram and Snapchat. You feel stressed about the mountain of homework due this week.
Can you relate to this situation? Your lack of motivation combined with your desire for break has made you apathetic. You know you should care about your class, because your grades could use some help. What can you do to get and stay focused in class? Use these 6 tips to remove distractions and get focused!
1. Create to-do lists before class.
Are you a to-do list person? Whether you’re a type-A person or not, making a list of tasks can help focus your thoughts. If you do not write down the tasks you need to accomplish, you may become paranoid about forgetting.
Taking just 3 minutes to collect your thoughts in a list can make a tremendous difference, even in your ability to focus in class. Avoid having constant anxiety by writing down the tasks you need to complete. You will find your mind more relaxed. You will also be able to concentrate better on the task at hand—your class.
So, what tasks should you include on your to-do list? Keeping your list focused on present tasks is best, otherwise you can easily prioritize the wrong task. You know how you function, so create task lists that work for you.
First, make a to-do list of tasks you need to complete before your next class. I can think of many different occasions where I witnessed students working on homework for another class in a class. Not only are these students missing important information, but they are also demonstrating that they failed to manage their time well earlier.
You may feel like you have no time or you have no choice but to do homework during class, but you do have time. Instead of being in a constant go-mode (so much so that you cannot even focus in your current class), plan ahead for the classes to come. Focus on tasks that need to your immediate attention first and foremost. Create a list of the assignments that must be completed by your next class.
For example, before class start you make a note on your phone. You have not completed your assignment for your next class that is in a few hours. You have a free period between the end of this class and the start of the next one. You must read your textbook and complete an online quiz before next class. You now have your short to-do list complete and in written form.
I would suggest only using these kinds of lists when you are in a bind. You ideally want to plan ahead more than a few hours. Another type of list may help you stay ahead, even if you don’t feel too ahead.
Second, make a to-do list of tasks you need to complete by the end of the day. When you are overwhelmed or stressed in class, the cause is most likely being disorganized. You have a list of urgent tasks in your head, but because they’re unwritten they are constantly swirling around in your mind.
Take the time to write down what you need complete by the end of the day. This list will help take some of the stress out of your tasks. It can also help you determine what are tasks are urgent, important, or both. You can then prioritize your tasks.
For example, you have two papers, one presentation, and several reading assignments due this week. You feel incredibly stressed out, because you have no idea how you are going to complete all of these things. Instead of panicking, choose to focus on getting the most urgent and important things done today—like your reading assignment and paper due tomorrow.
Third, make a to-do list of tasks you need to complete this week. This is the level of planning at which you should most often find yourself—planning a week ahead. If you plan a week in advance, you can work ahead and have the flexibility to move tasks around in your schedule.
No matter where you are in the semester, you can create rough plan of what is due each week. Use this plan to determine what tasks you need to complete each day. This is the sweet-spot in which you can thrive and cruise to the end of the semester.
Planning a week in advance allows you to know exactly when each assignment is due in each class. You are not rushing from class period to class period, hoping to complete your assignments. When class begins, you are not stressed or surprised by the deadline. Instead, you are well-prepared.
2. Hide your phone.
You rarely misplace your phone but when you do you have a minor panic attack. You might not realize how attached you are to your phone, and you’re not alone in this sometimes unhealthy attachment.
Modern society almost demands students are constantly accessible by a text, call, email, or message. This connectedness can be an incredibly helpful thing, but sometimes being constantly available by phone can be a bad thing too, especially in class.
In an article for the Harvard University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Trevor Haynes states that “every notification, whether it’s a text message, a “like” on Instagram, or a Facebook notification, has the potential to be a positive social stimulus and dopamine influx.” Why is this a big deal? “Positive social stimuli,” according to Haynes, “result in a release of dopamine, reinforcing whatever behavior preceded it.” Receiving likes, texts, or other notifications on phones reinforces your desire to participate in texting, social media, etc. This can result in an addiction, a never-ending cycle, in which people text to receive a dopamine rush and continue texting because of getting a dopamine rush from this activity in the past.
Using your phone can become a crutch and frankly a constant distraction. Using your phone in class does not help your mind stay focused on the course material. Why would your brain want to focus on a lecture when it could receive a dopamine rush from social media?
So, what can you do? Going back to the dark ages of flip-phones is probably not the answer. Instead, put your phone out of sight during the class period. Do not leave it on your desk, even if it’s face down. Do not put it in your pocket either, because you will feel your phone buzz when you receive a notification.
Many students struggle to resist the temptation of a vibrating phone or the flash of light from their phone screen. They think they can quickly check it and go back to the task at hand with the same concentration.
In a study for the University of California, Gloria Mark concludes that “when people are constantly interrupted, they develop a mode of working faster (and writing less) to compensate for the time they know they will lose by being interrupted.” Sounds good, right? Mark goes on to say, “people in the interrupted conditions [experience] a higher workload, more stress, higher frustration, more time pressure, and effort. So interrupted work may be done faster, but at a price.”
While texting to confirm lunch plans or to update a parent on your grades may seem like a quick task, your texting actually adds to your stress in class. You have to make up for what you missed, which is especially difficult if you don’t know what information you missed.
Another helpful tip is to put your phone on do not disturb when in class. You might think that this is unwise, because you will not be accessible in case of an emergency. In my personal experience, situations that require your immediate attention are extremely rare. If you are not accessible in an extreme emergency, your college will contact you through your professor.
When your phone is on do not disturb, your phone screen will not light up with each notification and alert. Your calls will be sent to your voicemail. You can still see your texts by looking at your home screen or unlocking your phone.
If you find that you are still tempted to look at your phone, you do have another option. You can put your phone in airplane mode or turn it off completely. While this may seek extreme, this option may be your lifesaver during class.
Removing the distraction of your phone is wise. If saying no to texting in class is too difficult, turn your phone off during class. You will be thankful you removed this distraction.
3. Rethink your note-taking process.
Your note-taking process has worked pretty well in your classes, but taking notes on your laptop may not be help you stay focused in class. Your computer is filled with distractions. Whether you’re tempted to watch sports tournaments, scroll through social media, or message friends, you know you can easily do all of this from your laptop.
If you cannot seem to stay focused, your computer may be part of the problem. You can easily fool your professor into thinking you’re paying attention. You know how to click back to your notes quickly in case his eye line intersects with your computer screen.
Before chucking your laptop out of a nearby window, consider rethinking your note-taking process. First, turn off your laptop wifi. If you take your notes through Google Drive, OneDrive, or another internet-connected source, you will have to switch to a different note-taking method. (Use Microsoft Word, Pages, or handwritten notes instead.)
Second, mute your laptop notifications. Your computer is probably connected to your phone, meaning you receive a notification on your laptop screen each time you get a text, a like, etc. You can easily go into your settings to mute these notifications. Don’t let your computer be more of a distraction than your phone was. Remove the distraction of notifications!
Third, handwrite your notes. You may be getting painful flashbacks from your early high school years. Taking notes on paper doesn’t have to mean pencil smudges or ink stains. Handwriting your notes can help you remove the distractions on your tablet or computer.
After trying to turn off your wifi, you may need to go a step further and mute notifications. If you still seem to get distracted, ditch your computer during class and use pen and paper. Your grades will thank you later.
4. Change your seat.
Changing your seat? Is that even allowed at this point? Even if your teacher assigns your seats, switching seats is not an impossibility.
While many of your classes do not have an official seating arrangement, ask your professor if you can switch seats to avoid being distracted. Most teachers will gladly oblige, because they want you pay attention in class.
So, where are the best spots to sit? Three specific spots can truly help you stay focused by removing familiar and tempting distractions. One spot is near the front of the class. If you are sitting near the front of the class, you are probably less likely to text, surf the internet, or do homework for other classes. In addition, you are probably more likely to ask questions, answer questions, take good notes, and stay engaged.
Another spot is next to someone you do not know. By this point, you may be good friends with some classmates. Avoid the temptation to talk by moving your seat next to someone you have not met. This may seem awkward, but being in an unfamiliar place can help you focus on the lecture.
A third spot is somewhere your professor can easily see your computer. If your laptop or tablet is the number one source of distraction, remove this distraction by having the accountability of your teacher’s eyes. You are less likely to check Facebook, watch a sports, or message a friend if your teacher can see your screen.
5. Participate in the class lecture.
You may not like answering questions in class ever, even if you know the correct answer. If you are more introverted, talking in front of people makes you extremely uncomfortable. You may, however, miss out on a key to staying focused in class.
You do not have to be an extrovert, a genius, or a know-it-all to participate in class. Don’t let what others think of you keep you from engaging in the lecture. In reality, your classmates are probably thinking more about themselves than they ever will about you. So, participate!
When no one participates in the lecture, your teacher and the entire class feel like the period lasts an eternity. You can actually do much to help the lecture move more quickly by simply providing feedback.
So, how can you participate? First, answer questions. When your professor asks a question and waits for an answer, try to think of the answer. Then mentally form an intelligent wording of your answer. Even if you don’t have the perfect answer, your answer may bring up important points.
Like anything else, the more you answer questions in class, the more comfortable you will be doing so. Everybody has off-days, where an answer doesn’t seem to make sense. Instead of feeling embarrassed, focus on actually learning. Did your answer help you learn? Learning, not getting the answer “right,” is the important part.
Second, ask questions in class. Many students hesitate to ask questions in class. Sometimes you may feel embarrassed that you do not get a concept or that you do not know what you don’t get yet. In both cases, asking questions is important. Why? Most likely you are not the only student who is not getting it. By keeping silent, you’re hurting yourself and maybe others too. So, speak up!
How do you do this? Before asking your question, try to follow these three steps. First, write down your question. As soon as you realize you are not understanding material or have a question, write down a note to yourself.
Second, wait for a break to insert your question. Think carefully about when you should pop up your hand to ask a question. Your professor will often incorporate pauses or stop for questions throughout the lecture. This time is perfect for asking your question.
Third, raise your hand and confidently ask your question. While this may seem obvious, this is the point in which many students chicken-out. They feel embarrassed or shy, so even if they raise their hand they half-heartedly mumble. Instead, they should speak up. Their questions can benefit the whole class and further the class material.
Participating in class can most certainly help you stay focused, so make it your habit. If, however, you are not paying attention in class and decide to ask a question, you may look foolish. Your teacher may have already covered this material when you were distracted, so stay engaged to avoid these embarassing situations.
6. Arrive early to class.
You regularly arrive barely on time to class. Arriving just before the bell later becomes a consistent habit. You arrive out of breath and scramble to open your notes.
You might be wondering how arriving to class early can help you stay focused. When you arrive barely on time or slightly late to class, you may find adjusting to a lecture difficult. Your thoughts are on other things that have very little to do with this class.
Focusing on a lecture after rushing to class is difficult. Your mind is trying to play catch up. You went from strategically planning the best route to class to sitting in a desk and listening to your professor lecture.
Instead of rushing into your seat seconds before the bell, arrive at least a few minutes before class. Why? This gives you time to adjust to a new environment and a different topic. You also have plenty of time to check your phone, form a to-do list for the day, or finish the reading assignment for later in the day.
Depending on how large your college campus is, arriving early may be incredibly challenging. Do your best to leave directly after your class to leave for the next class. Don’t sit at your desk for more than a minute or so after class is over, instead head directly to your next class.
Prepare for class before arriving. In other words, come to class with your homework complete. Don’t procrastinate! Past success with cramming does not guarantee future success. Once in the classroom, reading class material (with understanding) or completing another assignment is almost impossible. Avoid the stress by getting work done ahead of time.
Staying focused in class is not impossible, even if you’re at the end of the semester. Use these 6 tips to help you engage your mind in class. You will be surprised how much your focus improves!
