Courtesy of Learn to Trade
Staying focused during class can be extremely difficult and even tiring, but it’s important if you’re to work to your potential in high school. Fortunately, there are some really simple things you can do to help you stay focused and achieve better results.
Sit near the front of the room
This may seem very simple, but it will make a huge difference in your ability to focus during class. Regardless of your faith in your self-control, the fact is that it is much easier to switch off if you are seated towards the back of the classroom. You are further away from the watching eye of your teacher and distractions are much easier to come by.
You may feel uncomfortable at first sitting towards the front of the room, but that’s good. This will cause you to focus and become less distracted. You will also be able to see and hear what the teacher is talking about much more clearly. Feel free to approach your teacher and request a seat change, if this is something imposed; they’ll definitely understand and appreciate your efforts to pay more attention.
Think about your posture
Another simple way to improve your focus in the classroom is to ensure you are seated straight in your chair, without slouching. Research has shown that sitting up straight actually helps you to focus, where slouching encourages dozing off and losing concentration. At the same time, maintaining a better posture will do wonders for your health and the well-being of your body in the future. There’s plenty of upsides to consider.
Always take notes
Even if you think you are well on top of a subject, or plan on studying it further later, taking notes during class is one of the best ways to ensure that you concentrate on what’s being taught. If you are taking notes, you are actively thinking about what is being spoken about and have to formulate this information into your own sentences. If you commit to taking notes, you won’t be able to switch off or start daydreaming. Even if you never look at your notes again, this process will help you immeasurably. But who knows, those notes might come in super handy when it comes to exam period.
That being said, a balance has to be found when it comes to note-taking. If you copy down everything your teacher says, you won’t be able to focus on actively listening to what they are saying. You will be acting as a scribe more than a student. Write down key takeaways, as long as these are made through careful listening and understanding of what is being discussed in class
Don’t avoid sleep
It may be tempting to stay up late studying, but you will learn most effectively in the long term if you commit to getting a great amount of sleep each night. Lack of sleep is one of the biggest contributors to lack of focus in the classroom. Aim for at least eight hours of sleep each day, ensuring that you are fresh and ready to absorb information. If you have not rested well enough, it will be nearly impossible to maintain focus throughout the school day.
By following these simple guidelines, you should find yourself much more capable of concentrating during high school. This will help you learn much more effectively and remove a lot of the stress that can come with struggling in the classroom.
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