Whether your phone, social media, or the noise of your family is distracting you while studying at home, it's important to stay focused. Here are a few of our best tips to focus on studying at home!

Set up a study space

Dedicate an area at home where you can study without interruptions. Let everyone in your home know that when you are in this dedicated area, they shouldn't disturb you. Having an area you can associate with studying and school work will help you focus. Check out our tips for setting up your study space at home to begin!

Use headphones

Try listening to music or white noise to turn a busy place into a zen space! Headphones can help block out noise and signal to others that you are busy. Create a study playlist with your favorite songs, add white noise tracks, or classical pieces. No headphones? Play music or white noise in the background from a computer, radio, or TV.

Turn off your phone or place it 5 feet away from you

The best way to avoid the temptation of checking your notifications is to turn your phone off when studying. If you need to leave it on, place the phone 5 feet away from you. Having to walk to your phone will add another layer of effort before you can check it. This extra action may be enough to deter the habit of checking your phone when you should be studying!

Study with friends

Set up a video call to study with friends. For this to work, you all have to agree to block out a set time of studying before socializing. By uniting around a common goal, you can get your respective assignments and studying done together.

Try the Pomodoro technique

The Pomodoro technique can help you focus on a task by using timed sessions and a timed break in between each one. Here's how it works: 

1. Choose a task to work on.
2. Set a timer for 25 minutes.
3. Work on the task until the timer ends. On a piece of paper, give yourself a checkmark.
4. Take a short 5 minute break.
5. After 4 Pomodoro sessions (checkmarks), take a longer break (15-30 minutes).

Have any questions about studying at home? Text #Hello to 33-55-77 to chat with one of our advisors. If you're using a mobile device, click here to have the text message set up for you!