How to improve learning and focus

And just like that, exam season is upon us – which despite our school days being long behind us, is no doubt something that many of us remember only too well.

Trawling through notes, our heads stuck staring down into a book rather than up at the sun, as it blazed through the windows on a hot, sunny day.?The stuffy air of the exam room filled with desks in endless rows, and worst of all, the nail biting, palm sweating pre-exam nerves. Phew!

It really is no wonder that as teenagers or university students, we all breathed a sigh of relief when this was all over, until of course, we began life as working professionals and realised it never really is – we are always still learning.

Even if this is not in the form of taking a physical exam (or even if it is), there are often times when we reach for our highlighters, read through our notes and embark on learning a brand-new skill.

Like many of us over the years, advice service, The Uni Guide have found certain methods for helping to increase our productivity when it comes to our learning and focus – including taking regular breaks, getting organised and listening to music.*

Tuning in to songs, particularly those without lyrics, are thought to be great for blocking out distractions and retaining focus, whilst stepping away from our screens from time to time, can help to improve brain functionality and aid concentration.

We all remember that hit song from our final school summer, that was played on repeat, or that notebook that was drowning in far too many brightly coloured scribbles. So, why not use these methods again? After all, every day’s a school day.

For more guidance for boosting your focus and getting the most out of your time, read one of our latest articles, 'How to achieve deep focus.'