Students all over the world have always had a hard time maintaining concentration and composure throughout the school year. Fortunately, you can try different methods to make the year go by a little faster while learning new things at the same time. Basically, you need to strive to be more present in class and identify all the problems that prevent you from having positive experiences.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Stimulate the Brain
Step 1. Delude yourself that you are having fun
Although a lesson is boring, you can literally get your brain to feel pleasant (at least to some extent). It sounds too good to be true, but go for it. Just think, "I'm actually interested in this subject. I'm really starting to like this lesson."
- Time flies when you're having fun, and believe it or not, this aphorism is actually indicative of how the brain works.
- Consequently, convince yourself that you are enjoying yourself, even if it is not actually true: you will have the feeling that time passes more quickly.
Step 2. Sit somewhere new
It sounds silly to you, but changing your visual perspective of the world will help you make the time pass faster, as your mind will be occupied with all the new information. The classroom itself will look completely different from a new angle. The brain will monitor the new information without you noticing, so time will pass faster.
Step 3. Take notes in a new format
Taking notes using an alternative method is another trick to stimulate the brain. It is also a particularly effective idea from the point of view of learning, as you will think about how to organize the topics covered and you will concentrate better. Try taking notes using bulleted lists, short paragraphs, or even demo sketches every now and then, then always use the method you like best.
When considering how to take notes in a different way than usual, ask yourself, "How can I convey this information in a more interesting but still accurate way?"
Step 4. Challenge yourself to take the study material seriously
If you challenge yourself by proposing specific tasks, the energy and enthusiasm with which you will face them will increase. It is even more effective when a pinch of adrenaline is added to the challenge. To increase the degree of concentration, briefly imagine a scenario in which your duty is to have absolute concentration, otherwise something bad will happen to you.
- For example, imagine the teacher is a werewolf who turns into a bloodthirsty beast when he sees students get distracted. Mysterious disappearances occur on a regular basis during his lectures. Will your class be able to follow the lessons thoroughly, understand them well and escape unscathed?
- Challenge yourself to complete specific tasks. If you are usually quiet, make a point of speaking in class. If you usually finish class work right away, see if you can help a classmate who hasn't finished yet.
Method 2 of 4: Seize the Fun Opportunities
Step 1. Get moving during breaks or playtime
If you regularly rest your brain and stretch throughout the day, the breaks will be especially beneficial. This will help calm you down and refresh your mind for the new topics you will learn.
- Look for a corner for stretching or yoga, even if it's just for 5 minutes.
- Get your heart rate up by doing 10 push-ups and 20 jumping jacks.
Step 2. Use the weekend wisely and take the opportunity to rest
You will likely have homework to do, but don't let school responsibilities take over, or the weeks will just drag on one after the other. Organize fun, and if possible dynamic, activities every weekend.
Call people you don't usually hang out with and invite them to do activities together. You could switch off with a new friend or a new study partner
Step 3. Participate in extracurricular activities
To keep yourself busy and have an intense social life, take advantage of the extracurricular opportunities offered by the school or the afternoon activities organized in your city. Join a sports team - it's a particularly fun way to make new friends, keep fit, and constructively occupy time.
Another idea is to join a band. The ability to play an instrument remains for life; besides, musicians always have a certain charm
Step 4. Socialize throughout the school day, or at least make a point of greeting others in the hallway
Another trick to have fun at school and make friends is to take advantage of the events and all the other opportunities that make the year more exciting.
- If the school is organizing a special event or evening, dress appropriately.
- Getting dressed up is not only more pleasant than you might think, it will also allow you to look great.
Method 3 of 4: Participate More Actively in Lessons
Step 1. Think about your responsibilities as a student
Your main obligation is to study the topics explained in class. Taking study seriously will not only make the year go by faster, it will also remind you why you go to school in the first place.
- Remembering your responsibilities as a student will help motivate you to go prepared for school and well prepared to learn.
- If your mind starts wandering during class, remind yourself, "Right now the best thing I can do is be careful."
Step 2. Listen to the teacher in class
You will understand the topics better and your interest will likely increase as well. As you listen, take notes on concepts you find interesting or don't fully understand, then ask possible questions.
If something is not clear to you, raise your hand and ask. Other students will likely be grateful to you because they have similar doubts
Step 3. Interact more with teachers
You don't have to be the professor's boyfriend to get along with him. If a certain lesson bores you and your mind goes elsewhere, talk to your teacher about it. Remember he was once a student too!
- Approach the professor at the end of the lesson and explain what is happening to you.
- Try saying: "I have a hard time concentrating on this subject and I would like to know if you have any advice for me."
- Ask him why he finds the subject he teaches interesting.
Step 4. Think about the approach you might have towards difficult courses or unsympathetic teachers
Think about what you can do differently during the more complex or boring lessons. The truth is, you won't like all classes or all teachers, but every subject and every professor has something to teach you. Stop for a moment and ask yourself, "What can I learn from this lesson?".
Try to figure out if a teacher who seems a little boring explaining is more interesting when you talk to them in person. It is also possible that he is familiar with a topic that interests you
Step 5. Interact more with your peers too
If a subject is difficult or you find it boring, talk to students who seem to understand it well or find it interesting. You can also ask them for advice. For example, invite them to tell you how they process ideas they don't initially understand or what strategies they use to do their homework.
- Also listen to questions from your classmates.
- Even though you think you understand a lesson, the comments of others can make you consider it from a more interesting point of view.
Step 6. Plan ahead
Determine specific goals or deadlines to meet and establish concrete steps to take to achieve the goals you have set for yourself. For example, if you know you need to turn in a project on a Friday, start working on it the weekend before and think about how to improve it at the beginning of the week.
- Planning ahead will help you complete specific deliveries and also achieve more general goals.
- Don't put off homework or study, otherwise you will get stressed and risk getting low grades.
- Try using a calendar or diary to keep yourself organized, sorting out thoughts about what to do and when. Planning your time better will help you get through it sooner.
Step 7. Take breaks
Sometimes the school days can seem endless, especially when you have to stay at school or do your homework in the afternoon. Believe it or not, even adult brains can focus for surprisingly short intervals of time. In between lessons or between exercises, take a few minutes to do an enjoyable activity or rest.
If you get up (it's great for working out and preparing for another study session), don't get distracted by your cell phone or TV, otherwise it will be difficult to refocus on what you need to study
Method 4 of 4: Identify Problems and Ask for Help
Step 1. Try to understand why you don't like going to school
Of course, you have to do your homework, and then interacting with other human beings in full hormonal storm involves real microtraumas in daily life. However, you should still be able to appreciate the school experience, at least in most cases. If you are afraid or it is constant torture, these moods are likely to have a cause. The first step in dealing with the situation is to understand why.
- Ask yourself if there are people you don't want to see, such as students who don't treat you well or a teacher who is impatient towards you.
- Determine if you are stressed by the school itself, including lessons and homework.
Step 2. Recognize school-related stress
If a subject is particularly challenging or you think you are behind your peers, you risk being suffocated by worries and tensions, so your concentration will be limited. In addition, stress can negatively impact the body, undermining attention in the classroom and the pleasure of going to school.
- To start understanding what specifically stresses you, list the things you don't like about school.
- In the list of negative aspects, include both social and educational experiences.
Step 3. Decide how to deal with the aspects of the school that you don't like
You have the ability to change at least some of the situations that make you think of school with disgust. List anything you like to remind yourself that going to school isn't that bad. Then, review the list of negative aspects and determine how to improve the situation with respect to each of them.
- If a large part of the negative aspects have to do with a certain subject, propose to talk to the teacher about it to explain that you are having difficulty.
- If the negative aspects are mostly related to interpersonal relationships, it may be necessary to ask for help to learn how to get better.
Step 4. Get help to enjoy school
When you are caught up in your own personal growth experiences, school can put you to the test. Similarly, when you are busy with school, your personal growth can confront you with very difficult challenges. Fortunately, there are people who care about you and who will be happy to help you.
Talk to someone, be it an older sibling, parent, relative, or school psychologist - everyone has faced similar challenges in their lives and overcome them
Step 5. If you have a problem, use psychotherapy, especially if the school has a psychologist available
This professional has received adequate training to help preteens and teens, he does it for work. Never hesitate to talk to him about your difficulties, especially if you are being treated badly by other students or by a certain teacher.
