LIFE

Let's face it... we are *all* getting a little sick and tired of school. Lots of us have been taking class completely online for over a year and are still struggling to get the hang of it, and with warmer weather approaching it is all too tempting to ditch those reading assignments and go lay out in the sun. You might feel like you are drowning in tests and papers (I know I do!), but in just a few short weeks we will all get a well—deserved summer break. Until that happens, though, we have to get out of the mid—semester slump and power through the end of the semester! Here are some of our fave ways to clear your mind and help you focus on schoolwork even when you don't really want to: 

Keep your study space clean... and mix it up!

It is *way* easier to focus when you are working at a clear space, so take a few minutes before you start studying to make your bed, clean off your cluttered desk, and organize your notebooks and pencils. Without a big mess around you to cause potential distraction, you will be able to get a lot more accomplished. Another helpful way to set up your study space is to change it up every once in a while. If you just lock yourself in your bedroom all day, you will get insanely bored and eventually stop focusing on your work. Try to find a couple of different places around your house that are quiet and calming for you to study, and everytime you feel yourself getting restless move to a new spot! 

Hold youreslf accountable with a self—timer 

There are tons of timer apps out there that allow you to set a specific amount of time and then give yourself a short break. These apps use ssomething called the Pomodoro method to help you focus better by separating out time blocks of 15—25 minutes where you focus only on studying with *no* distractions and then get a short 5—10 minute break to check your phone or just chill out. You can learn more about the Pomodoro technique and check out a full list of app recomendations to try it out yourself here. We recommend KanbanFlow or Pomodor to start out with! 

Write out 1—3 small goals for each day 

Midterms season can be extremely overwhelming, and you might feel like you have so much work that you don't even know where to start. The easiest way to tackle a heavy workload is to prioritize your tests, quizzes and other assignments by due date and spread them out over a few days. This requires you to stay on top of everything and avoid the temptation to procrastinate until the last minute, but will make your work seem more managable overall. Take a few minutes to look over your calendar and assign yourself 1 to 3 school—related goals to accomplish by the end of every night. At the end of the week, you will have gotten everything done! 

Make your outdoor time productive 

If you live in an area where the freezing winter is *finally* coming to an end, the spring weather feels extra special. Of course, spending some time outside enjoying the season sounds a lot better than writing that paper or studying for that test. Luckily, you can do both at once! Take your books and head outside for some study time in the sun. If it's a nice day, this will definitely boost your mood and make your schoolwork feel less like work.

Take notes! 

We've all been there.... sitting on a Zoom class with a teacher going on and on and feeling about 5 seconds away from falling asleep. It is way easier to spend a class online shopping, browing the web, or texting your friends during class when you aren't in an actual classroom, but don't do it! Instead, take extra—detailed notes on what your teacher is saying. The act of writing in class will force you to listen more closely, and you will actually absorb a lot more. You will also have better quality notes to review before your next test, which means less work scrambling and trying to piece together things that you originally spaced out on. 

What's your favorite class to study for? Let us know @girlslifemag on Twitter and Insta!

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Cover Image: @gracieoconnor

by Lexi Casazza | 3/30/2021