Tag: studytips

3 Thoughtful Tips for Getting Back on Track With Your Studies

Posted on by pankaj.harvard

With schools slowly starting over, digital life has become something students dread the most. Not a single day goes by when they are not using their screens. With little chance to go out, most of them are going through a phase where they simply don’t feel like doing anything at all. In such times, studying can get even more stressful for them. If you can relate to this, we have a very easy technique to share with you, that can help you get back on track with your studies. This technique is known as mindfulness.

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What is Mindfulness? How can it help you focus while studying?

Mindfulness is about paying attention and being conscious in the present moment. It means to carefully notice what you are currently experiencing. Through deliberate practice of mindfulness, you will be able to: 

1. Maintain emotional balance
2. Stay calm
3. Re-focus

There are multiple ways in which you can practice mindfulness. In this article, we want to share 3 easy to follow tips that you can use in your daily routine.

Tip 1: Mindful breathing

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One of the ways you can practise mindfulness is through mindful breathing. When you sit down to study, spend a few minutes to become aware of the things around you. Take a few breaths, and focus on the air moving in and out of your body. When you start to study, set a timer for about 30 minutes. Each time you find yourself distracted, pause and take a few deep breaths. Then go back to studying again.

Tip 2: Body Scan

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A relatively easy way to pay attention to the ‘here and now’ is to tune in and be aware of your physical senses. You can do this by first sitting in a comfortable posture, then close your eyes and feel the senses throughout your body. A lot of times we pay attention to the parts of our body only when we are uncomfortable. It is time we start paying attention to them even when they are functioning normally. Take your attention gradually from your head to your toes, part by part. It will naturally elevate your sense of calmness.

Tip 3: Walking meditation

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Another type of easy-to-follow technique is walking meditation. You can do this by taking a short walk in a quiet environment. Take small steps that make it feel natural rather than an exercise. Try to find a place that has minimal noise pollution and is closer to nature. As you walk, try to focus your attention on one or more sensations that you would normally take for granted. It can be as simple as focussing on your breath or the movement of your arms and legs. If your mind wanders, quickly try to bring your attention to the present activity.

The key to achieving the results from mindfulness is consistency. Like playing the piano, if you practice every day, you will get great rewards. Distractions are inevitable, so don’t get frustrated and don’t give up. With some consistent practice, you will surely achieve greater focus and be able to do any task at hand with the highest efficiency. If you are able to implement these tips in your daily study routine, do let us know about your experiences in the comments below.

How To Develop a Champion’s Focus?

Posted on by pankaj.harvard
Bullseye in darts
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The ability to deliver with a focussed mindset is the key to an athlete’s or a student’s success on the D-day. If two competitors have the same amount of skill and preparation it is almost certain that the one who is able to focus better will be the one who will emerge successful. So in sports or academics how can one develop this ability? Let’s find out.

1. Remember, the control is within you:

It is you who determines whether to get affected by your environment or not. Nothing external can affect you on its own. Once you realise this power you will be able to develop more control over your response to external stimuli such as noise, negativity, and anything else that has the potential to distract you.

2. Controllables vs uncontrollables:

While preparing for any competitive exams or even in sports there are multiple factors that play a role in deciding your performance. You need to list down these factors or have a mental picture in front of you. Categorize the factors as controllable and uncontrollable. Your area of concern must be to impact the controllables. Feeling concerned about the things that are outside your control is natural but you must consciously try to take your mind off them. For example, a day before an exam if you feel anxious about a topic that you didn’t prepare well for, stop worrying about it and instead feel confident about the remaining topics that you have prepared well for.

3. Simulate the environment:

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Losing focus under pressure is natural. It’s because our body has evolved that way over millions of years. However, you can certainly train your mind to deal more effectively with it by letting it get used to such a high pressure environment. For example if you think you blank out during exams but are quite confident while studying, practice more mock papers with a timer set in front of you. In a few days you will find this time pressure to be normal and will be able to deliver better on the day of the exam.

4. Have your way of regaining focus:

While in a high-pressure environment where you have a lot of stakes, it is obvious you might get distracted. Use a cue or certain words that can help your mind to regain its focussed state. It can be in the form of a powerful quote, a powerful visual of your future or simply a band you wear on your wrist that reminds you of your goal. Choose anything that works the best for you.

5. Create your own pre-exam routine:

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Remember the famous huddles from your favourite sports movies or your favourite performer motivating himself/herself just before entering the stage? Why do you think they do that? These small but effective practices can actually help you boost your mind. For a student, they can simply be in the form of reading a motivational piece or just playing a brain-stimulating game before you leave for the exam.

We hope the tips we shared with you in this article help you develop a champion’s focus and achieve the best out of your preparation. Do you have some winning strategies you would like to share with us? Do let us know in the comments below.