So you’ve woken up to yet another exasperating day of lockdown and you’re not even sure what day it is? You’re feeling like there are so many things you could accomplish but you’re not sure where to start? Then you’ve come to the right place, because here at Brighter English we’ve been researching all of the best ways to keep you focused and ready to study!
Get organised!
The first thing you need to do is declutter your space. Clear your desk of any items that you no longer need and get your work area in order. Make sure you have all of the materials you need to study effectively, and create a clear open space that’s free from messy distractions. You may want to organise all of your worksheets and books, and create handy folders on your desktop so that you can easily find and file all of your documents.
When you’ve tackled your workspace, it’s time to make a list of all of the things you plan to study. Having a list of things to do can help keep you focused and make sure that you approach each task in a systematic way. You can write a check list in your notebook or download an organiser app such as Rooster, where you can input tasks into your phone and the app will send you reminders and notifications when it’s time to learn.
Plant a tree and watch it grow
We all know how difficult it can be to concentrate on our work when our phone is constantly pinging with messages and alerts. If the temptation to pick up your phone feels like a constant distraction, it might be time to download the Forest app. Creating calm with Forest is easy – when you need to stay focused, set the timer and plant a seed in the app. If you concentrate for long enough without reaching for your phone, the seed will grow into a beautiful tree. However, if you break the timer by looking at your phone, the tree you’ve planted will die, so stick with it! Eventually, you’ll be able to grow your own beautiful forest to remind yourself of how productive you’ve been.
Set a timetable
It can be really frustrating when you know what you want to achieve, but you don’t know where to begin or how to organise your day. If lockdown has got you feeling a bit lost, then creating a timetable can help you to feel more in control. Most of us thrive in a structured environment, so think about how you could divide up your day to get the most out of your study time. Make sure you include regular breaks and use them to do activities you enjoy – it’s much easier to stay motivated when you feel as if you have something to look forward to, and, when you go back to your desk, you’ll feel refreshed and ready to learn.
Reward yourself
After all of the hard work you’ve done, why not allow yourself a little treat? Whether it’s a big slice of chocolate cake, a comforting film or some time chatting to friends on social media, it’s good to relax and reward yourself for all of the positive things you’ve achieved. Even if you’ve found it difficult to concentrate or you didn’t get as much done as you’d hoped today, just remember that each day will be different and you can try again tomorrow.
We’d like to give you a round of applause for reading to the end of this article because you are already taking positive steps to better study habits! If you feel as though you need some additional guidance, why not book a face to face lesson with a real teacher? At Brighter English, our friendly, experienced tutors are here to support you and keep you on the path to achieving your language-learning goals. Simply send us a message to find out how we can help.
How are you staying motivated during lockdown? Share your tips and ideas in the comments below!