Studying effectively while suffering from a racing mind can be a harrowing experience. You want to focus on your studies but your mind has another idea, running wildly into the future as you try to devote your concentration to a worthy ideal. Be patient. Eventually your mind calms down once you become tired of playing mind games with yourself.

Reaching this calm, relaxed mindset can be easy if you decide to apply practical tips on a consistent basis. Remember that your mind obeys you. Avoid getting caught up in the erroneous idea that your mind controls you.

Study Only in a Quiet Environment

Studying in a quiet, stress-free environment is a quick way to increase your focus and slow down your racing, distracted mind. Under no condition should you study while listening to the radio, a CD, or watching television. Your concentration gives you power. If you attempt to split your concentration observe how quickly your mind races off in a distressing, agitating fashion. The distractions disappear if you take the time to find a quiet spot.

Sit down early in the morning or later in the evening. Consider studying in the library if distractions feel too overwhelming in your home. Do whatever it takes to create a quiet space for your studies. Turn off any distractions, improve your focus, and improve your grades.

Meditate Frequently

Sit and observe your thoughts and feelings for at least 20 minutes each day. Meditating helps you quiet your distracted, scattered mind. By slowing down and calming your mind the distractions vanish. Nothing screams at your awareness. Find a quiet spot. Relax your body. Focus on your breathing. Follow each inhale through your nose. Focus on each exhale.

If your focus drifts note the idea, feeling or sensation which appears to snare your attention. After noting this object, move your concentration back to your breathing.

This simple practice helps you to focus on your studies or course lectures. You can effectively block out chatter in the back of the classroom or distracting thoughts in your mind because you have learned how to effectively direct your attention.

Be patient. First time meditators run into strong resistance, observing their minds up close and personal for the first time. Be gentle with yourself. As your meditation sessions grow deeper expect to clarify your focus and boost your test scores.

Release Any Negative Influences

Are you surrounding yourself with positive people? Do you connect with successful, focused students on a daily basis? Make sure to become friends with successful students. Imitate their habits. This crowd rubs off on you in a big way. Mimic whomever you decide to befriend. One quick way to reduce distractions in the classroom or in your home setting is to reduce negative influences. Letting go of unfulfilling relationships or friends who offer you no positive energy will lessen the stress and lethargy in your life.

Releasing distracting people or influences may feel uncomfortable. Embrace these feelings to create a bright academic future for yourself. People tend to hang on to distracting influences in order to remain comfortable. If you take time to assess why you are friends with individuals or why you engage in certain low-energy actions, like watching hours or TV each day, you will see that such practices only diminish your focus and cloud your powers of concentration.

Commit

Releasing old mental habits takes time and energy. Pushing harder is not the answer. Force negates. Resist the urge to stay awake later and arise earlier in the today to push yourself. Reducing mental distractions becomes habitual if you adopt a patient, calm and confident approach to improving your study sessions.

About the Author: Kelli Cooper is a freelance writer who enjoys writing about a variety of education topics from study tips to specific degree programs, such as the organizational leadership degree.

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