How to Set Yourself Up for a Productive Study Session

 

One thing we all know for certain: you will be studying while in law school. But it's hard to stay focused and productive when you're spending all your time at home. It's easy to study at school surrounded by other people studying with you, but studying at home is a whole new story. 

Here are a few simple things you can do to have a productive study session at home. Don't forget that you can make your study sessions better by paying attention to what works for you and what doesn't work for you. 

1. Eliminate Distractions

Now, this may feel like a no-brainer, but it's easier said than done. Put your phone on airplane mode, put some headphones in, do whatever it takes to get rid of any distractions around you. Personally, I like to be in a quiet place with instrumental music playing so I don't get distracted by the lyrics. If I can avoid talking to anybody, I will, because once I start talking, I won't stop. 

2. Stay Hydrated and Make Sure to Eat

If you're like me, you won't be able to focus if you're hungry or thirsty. I like to make sure my water bottle is filled and that I have a snack nearby for whenever I get hungry. This way, I don't have to get up when I'm in the middle of studying and ruin whatever concentration I had. 

3. Take Breaks

You can't focus for hours and hours on end without stopping. It's not good for you and you're not going to have as productive of a study session as you could have had. I personally like to use the Pomodoro method to give myself break times every 25 minutes so I know I'm not exerting myself for too long. 

4. Choose Music Wisely

A good study session isn't complete without music. I like to listen to music without lyrics so I don't get distracted. There are so many options to choose from, so you'll always have a playlist at your fingertips. If you don't know what type of music works best for you, try all different types of music until you find something that works. 

5. Know What You Want to Get Done

Write out a to do list before you start studying. Knowing what you want to accomplish will help you get through everything because you have an end goal. You can't hold yourself accountable to a random goal that's floating around in your head. Make sure to write it down so you know what to focus on. 

6. Don't Be Afraid to Stop

If you haven't gotten much done for a while, it might be time to stop for a while. There's no point in forcing yourself to work when you can't anymore. You don't want to burn yourself out or set yourself up for failure later. Listen to your body, and give yourself some time off. 

Good luck studying! 

xoxo,

Rachel