Struggling to Stay Focused – Any Advice?
Quick question for you all
How do you stay motivated during tough study weeks? I’ve been trying different things, but it’s still a struggle sometimes.
Would love to hear what works for you—could be music, breaks, routines, anything! 🎧📖☕
Let’s help each other stay on track 🙌
How do you stay motivated during tough study weeks? I’ve been trying different things, but it’s still a struggle sometimes.
Would love to hear what works for you—could be music, breaks, routines, anything! 🎧📖☕
Let’s help each other stay on track 🙌
Reply 1
Original post
by Yusuff SulaimanQuick question for you all
How do you stay motivated during tough study weeks? I’ve been trying different things, but it’s still a struggle sometimes.
Would love to hear what works for you—could be music, breaks, routines, anything! 🎧📖☕
Let’s help each other stay on track 🙌
How do you stay motivated during tough study weeks? I’ve been trying different things, but it’s still a struggle sometimes.
Would love to hear what works for you—could be music, breaks, routines, anything! 🎧📖☕
Let’s help each other stay on track 🙌
Hi @YusuffSulaiman 👋
I’m currently studying at the university of Essex on a Biochemistry degree!
And staying motivated when studying can be really difficult. What I do is I like to have a plan, so maybe I’ll write a few things down that I want to get done and then I can tick them off. That process of crossing them off sometimes helps with motivation.
I also do take breaks, because if I’m just sat at my desk for hours and hours my brain starts to give up and then the work I’m doing, I’m not really taking it in.
I’ve also found that having a drink with you whilst your studying can help as it keeps you hydrated 😀
Hope that helps and good luck with studying !
Essex student Rep - Hannah ⭐️
Reply 2
Original post
by Yusuff SulaimanQuick question for you all
How do you stay motivated during tough study weeks? I’ve been trying different things, but it’s still a struggle sometimes.
Would love to hear what works for you—could be music, breaks, routines, anything! 🎧📖☕
Let’s help each other stay on track 🙌
How do you stay motivated during tough study weeks? I’ve been trying different things, but it’s still a struggle sometimes.
Would love to hear what works for you—could be music, breaks, routines, anything! 🎧📖☕
Let’s help each other stay on track 🙌
Hi @Yusuff Sulaiman ,
I have some techniques that help me cope with the busy exam period and study weeks. Last week, I submitted my last two assessments due this week, and even though it wasn't easy, I managed to get through them. For example, I listen to music, specifically classical music, really slow instrumental music or faith-related music to get me through writing a 1500-word report, to be able to focus on the assessment, but also because I love music, so it's like a win-win situation, you know😅. I also like to organise my assesment into days and week, so basically in the morning, I would focus on topic A and then take a break, then in the afternon, I focus on topic B, take a break again, then in the evening, I focus on topic A, and after certain time in the evening, I stop whatver I am doing, save my work and rest. That's a method that helped me, to be honest. My advice is to find something that works best for you 😊.
Hope this helps!
Rachel
(Third Year)
Undergraduate Multimedia Journalism
Reply 3
Original post
by Manchester Met - Student RepHi @Yusuff Sulaiman ,
I have some techniques that help me cope with the busy exam period and study weeks. Last week, I submitted my last two assessments due this week, and even though it wasn't easy, I managed to get through them. For example, I listen to music, specifically classical music, really slow instrumental music or faith-related music to get me through writing a 1500-word report, to be able to focus on the assessment, but also because I love music, so it's like a win-win situation, you know😅. I also like to organise my assesment into days and week, so basically in the morning, I would focus on topic A and then take a break, then in the afternon, I focus on topic B, take a break again, then in the evening, I focus on topic A, and after certain time in the evening, I stop whatver I am doing, save my work and rest. That's a method that helped me, to be honest. My advice is to find something that works best for you 😊.
Hope this helps!
Rachel
(Third Year)
Undergraduate Multimedia Journalism
I have some techniques that help me cope with the busy exam period and study weeks. Last week, I submitted my last two assessments due this week, and even though it wasn't easy, I managed to get through them. For example, I listen to music, specifically classical music, really slow instrumental music or faith-related music to get me through writing a 1500-word report, to be able to focus on the assessment, but also because I love music, so it's like a win-win situation, you know😅. I also like to organise my assesment into days and week, so basically in the morning, I would focus on topic A and then take a break, then in the afternon, I focus on topic B, take a break again, then in the evening, I focus on topic A, and after certain time in the evening, I stop whatver I am doing, save my work and rest. That's a method that helped me, to be honest. My advice is to find something that works best for you 😊.
Hope this helps!
Rachel
(Third Year)
Undergraduate Multimedia Journalism
Thanks 😊
Reply 4
Original post
by Yusuff SulaimanQuick question for you all
How do you stay motivated during tough study weeks? I’ve been trying different things, but it’s still a struggle sometimes.
Would love to hear what works for you—could be music, breaks, routines, anything! 🎧📖☕
Let’s help each other stay on track 🙌
How do you stay motivated during tough study weeks? I’ve been trying different things, but it’s still a struggle sometimes.
Would love to hear what works for you—could be music, breaks, routines, anything! 🎧📖☕
Let’s help each other stay on track 🙌
i am rn
Reply 5
Original post
by Yusuff SulaimanQuick question for you all
How do you stay motivated during tough study weeks? I’ve been trying different things, but it’s still a struggle sometimes.
Would love to hear what works for you—could be music, breaks, routines, anything! 🎧📖☕
Let’s help each other stay on track 🙌
How do you stay motivated during tough study weeks? I’ve been trying different things, but it’s still a struggle sometimes.
Would love to hear what works for you—could be music, breaks, routines, anything! 🎧📖☕
Let’s help each other stay on track 🙌
Hi there,
I struggle with staying focused and I am very easily distracted so I thought I could answer this with some of my tips:
•
Have a plan. I am one of those people that needs a plan to keep me focused and accountable, otherwise I will just keep putting things off. However, if I have a plan for the week with what I have on, such as uni and work, and then what uni work I have to do, I find I get most of it done.
•
Another big thing is having fun things planned. I can't just do work all week without having a break, so I like to make sure I have one thing a day planned. Of course, some days this is just something small such as a 45 minute walk, or watching a film with my friends in the evening, but sometimes it's a cafe trip or town trip too!
•
I can't work with music on. I've tried music I like, instrumental music, white noise etc but I just work best in silence! Or, with background noise such as being at a cafe or the library. I do often take headphones out with me so I can quieten the background noise though.
•
Working out where you work best is important too. I work best out of my house as I get distracted so easily at home, so I always make sure I work in the library or other uni buildings as I know this works best for me! Some of my housemates work better in our house though so it is a personal preference.
I hope some of this helps,
Lucy -SHU student ambassador 🙂
Reply 6
Original post
by Yusuff SulaimanQuick question for you all
How do you stay motivated during tough study weeks? I’ve been trying different things, but it’s still a struggle sometimes.
Would love to hear what works for you—could be music, breaks, routines, anything! 🎧📖☕
Let’s help each other stay on track 🙌
How do you stay motivated during tough study weeks? I’ve been trying different things, but it’s still a struggle sometimes.
Would love to hear what works for you—could be music, breaks, routines, anything! 🎧📖☕
Let’s help each other stay on track 🙌
Hey there,
Staying focused during tougher study weeks can be really challenging, and you are definitely not alone in feeling this way. Many students at LSBU experience periods where motivation dips, especially when deadlines cluster or life outside of university feels demanding. What often helps is accepting that not every week will feel productive in the same way, and that consistency matters more than perfection.
A lot of LSBU students find that breaking work into smaller, manageable tasks makes studying feel less overwhelming. Setting a simple routine, even if it is just a short daily study window, can help create structure without adding pressure. Some students prefer quiet spaces on campus, while others work better with background music or a change of environment, such as moving between the library and study areas to reset their focus.
Taking proper breaks is also important. Short walks, stepping away from screens, or studying in focused bursts can help maintain concentration. Many students also find motivation in studying alongside others, whether that is informally with friends or by using shared study spaces, as it helps create a sense of accountability and community.
I hope that helps!
LSBU Admissions Ambassador
Reply 7
Original post
by Yusuff SulaimanQuick question for you all
How do you stay motivated during tough study weeks? I’ve been trying different things, but it’s still a struggle sometimes.
Would love to hear what works for you—could be music, breaks, routines, anything! 🎧📖☕
Let’s help each other stay on track 🙌
How do you stay motivated during tough study weeks? I’ve been trying different things, but it’s still a struggle sometimes.
Would love to hear what works for you—could be music, breaks, routines, anything! 🎧📖☕
Let’s help each other stay on track 🙌
Hello!
Some valuable advice on here from other users that I might start implementing in my own routines 😅 it's funny, I'm actually on here because I'm procrastinating writing my essay...
Typically, I break down my task into manageable chunks rather than the essay appearing like a never-ending task. For example, yesterday I planned my structure, which took 45 min. After a break of around 20 min, I found some useful references for my first few paragraphs, which took me 30 minutes, then took a break for 15 min. I put on a timer for how long I think the task will take and I try my best to complete it for that length of time - then, when I'm starting to feel demotivated, I can see "well, I only have 5 minutes left, let's start organising some of my references instead of starting something new." which allows me to have my mental wind-down before relaxing while still being productive.
I also find it easier to tackle the most difficult stuff in the morning, as I'm more of a morning person - figuring out when during the day you can focus the best can be very useful in organising your study schedule! I get super distracted too, so I find the emptiest corner of the silent library and lock in - study groups and music totally throw me off, I need to curate my perfect isolated environment 😆
It might take some perfecting to figure out your best way to work - I struggled most of my first year trying to figure out how to allow myself to be the most productive. Now I'm in my third year I've pretty much nailed it. Keep track of your variables (time of day, noise level, length of time studying) and try reflecting on how easy or difficult you found it to stay focused. Eventually you will find your perfect combination!
Best of luck
Alex
Student Ambassador
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