Focus

Keeping your focus as an international student studying abroad in a new educational system or as a distance-learning student might be challenging.

The following strategies might help.
Learn more about concentration processes in your brain
When you know how your brain works, you know how to guide it.

• Discover how focus works (video, 6')
• Learn more about focus and test your focus (website + video 3.30')

Be aware of your 'focus zone'

When there is enough arousal (stimulation, adrenaline, motivation), you are in your 'focus zone': your attention is at its best.

• This is how the link between attention and arousal looks (image)
• The 'optimal arousal theory' explained (video, 3')
• Read more about the relationship between performance and arousal (website)

Where is your focus at its best?

Try different locations and find out where your concentration is at its best:

• In your residence, in your student room or at home
• In a library
• The university library on campus
  the 'study and workplaces' in the library in Hasselt (Martelarenlaan 17, Hasselt)
• In other on-campus study spaces or other study spaces in Limburg
• ...

Is your attention best when you're alone or better while studying with other students, in real life or via webcam?
Studying with classmates might have some benefits (website)

Is your focus best with or without music?
Learn more about the effect of music on studying (video, 6')
Try different study settings and choose the optimal study location for you!

Tell your family, friends, and roommates about your daily schedule

That way, no one will disturb you while you study and disrupt your focus.
They could even support you and help you with your plans.

Organise your study space

A clean and well-organised study space enhances your concentration.
An organised study space, step by step (website)

Ventilate your study room

Open a window daily for 10 to 30 minutes to bring in some fresh air.
Sufficient oxygen is essential for your brain to function.

• Apply these three strategies to improve the air quality in your room (infographic)
• Do you like plants? These plants boost air quality and your productivity (video, 3')

Use the Pomodoro Technique

This technique helps you to 'monotask' and stay focused with a fixed schedule:
- blocks of 25 minutes of non-stop study time,
- followed by a short break of +/- 5 minutes.

• See how the Pomodoro technique works (infographic)
• Learn more about the Pomodoro technique (video,3')
• Read everything about the Pomodoro technique (website)

Pause

After a well-chosen break, you restore your concentration and focus.
Your brain needs occasional rest to keep performing.

• This is how a 'concentration cycle' looks (document)
• Learn more about the perfect break (website)

Tip
Do some exercise during your break! Exercising stimulates your focus.

• Get ready for this 4-minute active power break and feel your focus growing (video, 4')
• Learn more about the use of exercise and how to do it (website)

Stop multitasking while studying

Why? Because you can't focus on two things at the same time. You really can't!
So, stop scrolling through your social feed or watching TV while studying.

• This is why multitasking looks like a good idea but is not (video, 4')
• More about multitasking and why it doesn't work (video, 5')
• Do you feel like multitasking? Look at this first! (Infographic)
• Read why multitasking doesn’t work (website)

Train your focus

It's true: you can train your focus, just like you can train your muscles!
Discover how you can train your focus (video, 7')

Did you know that practising meditation can help you focus?

• These are the benefits of meditation on your brain (website)
• The importance of mediation explained (video, 10’)
• Overcome your barriers to meditation (infographic)
• Start to meditate step by step (infographic)
• Read this beginner's guide to meditation (website and audio)

How do other students concentrate?

A student testifies (3') how she stays focused.

• Are you easily distracted, not only when you're studying?
  For example, do you also have difficulty concentrating on a nice book, a movie or a conversation?
• Do you have trouble getting organised?
  For example, are you sloppy or forgetful? Do you have difficulties with timekeeping, …
• And were the above characteristics already present in your childhood?
  → These symptoms may indicate a concentration disorder such as:
• ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder)
• ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)

Are you uncertain if you have a concentration disorder?

This website gives you more information about AD(H)D.
You can read more on AD(H)D on the websites below:

• What is ADHD in Adults? (website)
• ADHD Across the Lifetime (website)
• Watch this testimony of someone with ADHD (video, 17')

Do you want to find out whether or not you have AD(H)D?
Or do you already have a diagnosis?

Contact our disability coach, Els Swijns (faciliteiten@uhasselt.be)
She can refer you to a diagnostic centre.
You can discuss the support options during your studies at UHasselt with her, for example, through educational and exam facilities.
Read everything about the possible facilities and coaching for students with AD(H)D at Hasselt University (website).

If there's less distraction, there's more focus! So, remove all distractions from your study space.

• Learn how to stay focused without distraction (video, 9')
• Discover four ways to avoid distractions (website)
• Deal with all kinds of distractions with this decision tree (image)

One of the most significant sources of distraction is digital media.

• Discover why you are addicted to your smartphone (video, 6')
• Read more about the effect of digital media on your learning (website)

But how can you resist the tempting social media?
Make it easy on yourself:

Put your phone in aeroplane mode or put it away when you study
Decide if you need your computer, and if not, close it down

• Use these tips to avoid digital distractions (website)
• Block tempting websites  (video, 7')
• Block digital distractions with these apps (website)
• Decrease stimuli and ameliorate your focus: take the challenge (video, 15')

Don't just read and reread your course material; DO something with it.
This is what an active study approach looks like (website)

Study tip
Alternate between your subjects or tasks.
Alternation prevents boredom and keeps you alert.

Put a bottle of water next to you while studying. Since your brain consists mainly of water, drinking enough water is essential to focus.
This is why water is vital for your focus (video, 1')

Avoid so-called 'energy drinks'; they have adverse effects in the long term.
Discover why you'd better abstain from energy drinks (website)

Healthy food like fibre, nuts, fruits and vegetables can contribute to a good focus.

• This is how food affects your brain (video, 5')
• Meet the foods that help you study (website)
• An overview of some 'brainfoods' (Infographic)

Time to try some things

This website offers many tips on how to enhance your focus. Now:

• Write down the ideas and tips you want to try
• Choose one idea or tip to start with
• Pick a date and a time and try out the new idea

Check out our topic, ‘self-regulation’, for more tips to make your resolutions successful.

Make an appointment

Would you like some personal advice?
Would you like to personally discuss how to optimise your focus with a study coach?

→ Don’t hesitate to make a free appointment with one of the study coaches of your programme, online or on campus! The study coaches are happy to help you.