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How to Study When It’s Noisy: Tips to Block Out Noise and Concentrate

What do you do when you need to study, but your neighbors, roommates, or family are too loud? Most students will ask this question from time to time (I know I certainly did!). Here are the best tips that I have found to help you study when it’s noisy.

While it may seem like not being able to concentrate with noise is out of your control, there are a surprising amount of things that you can control to help you study even when it’s noisy. The trick is to find the best places, noise-canceling headphones, and background noise for studying.

Why can’t I concentrate when there is noise?

Avoid noise when studying.

The best solution would be to find a way to avoid studying when it’s noisy. You can do this in several ways. 

Change study spaces

If where you are at is loud, then move to a quieter area. Find a local spot that is conducive to studying. Libraries are quiet places. Many even have specific areas or private rooms to study in. Check out local public libraries. You don’t have to have a library card to study there.

Another place that many people don’t think to go to for studying are churches. Churches are quiet and open to the public. You don’t need to be a member (or ready to convert) to go and see if there is an area where you can study.

Ask people to be quiet

Get creative with your study times , block out noise when studying.

If you cannot avoid noise, then try to block out noise. The main ways to do this are with: 

As someone who cannot study or sleep with any background noise and suffers from bad migraines, I have A LOT of experience testing different products to block noise. Earplugs can be good for sleeping but are not the best option to block out noise while studying (at least in my experience).

The main kinds of earplugs are pre-molded silicone, foam, and silicone wax. 

Earmuffs go over your ear. They are bulkier but can do a good job of blocking out sound.

Noise-canceling headphones

Noise-canceling headphones can help you study by blocking out the noise better than any other product or method.

I am frugal by nature and rarely consider more expensive purchases worth it, but I have purchased these 5 times. Absolutely worth it!

Pro Tip: They have a 1-year warranty, but if they break after that, then you can get a big discount by calling and asking for a replacement order. You will need the code to do this, so keep the packaging and write down the code on the left earbud right away because this will get worn down over time.

Replace the Noise

If you can’t avoid or block the noise, then it can be helpful to replace the noise. You can do this with more consistent environmental noise, music, or white noise. 

White Noise

White noise is fantastic background noise for studying. 

You can find some great background noise videos on Youtube, such as….

Some people can study while listening to music, and some people cannot. If you are someone who can, then music can be a great way to replace the noise. 

When picking your music, it is important to remember that sounds that aren’t particularly interesting (that won’t divert your attention) are the best for studying. This means music without lyrics (you don’t want to start singing along to the lyrics when you are trying to study), such as classical, ambient, and house music. 

Different area

Additional tips to concentrate with noise, set yourself up for success.

Give yourself your best chance to concentrate by eating healthy, drinking enough water, getting a good night’s sleep, and practicing relaxation techniques.

Create a productive study space 

Create a study space where you can lay out all of your material and be away from distractions (at least as much as you can be). 

When you sit down in your study space, you will be in the habit of focusing on work.

Have materials ready

Go to the bathroom before you sit down and have a drink and snack ready so you won’t have to get up and interrupt your work. 

Pick what you can best work on

Pay attention to what work requires the most focus. You may find that you can still write a discussion post when you are in a noisy environment, but you cannot read.

Practice meditation

Learn to concentrate despite the noise.

This can be difficult to do at will (and even harder to sustain), but using your mental energy on your work instead of fixating on the noise is a great way to start. 

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Nov 6, 2019 | Press Release

Simple Strategies to Manage Digital Distractions

Yes, we live in a world of constant “noise”—a tsunami of work e-mails, social media updates, never-ending news coverage, and other relentless forms of digital distraction. That’s not going to change. But you don’t have to let it overwhelm you, erode your concentration, fog your thinking and focus, and tune out the things that really matter.

Joe McCormack says there are some simple changes you can make that will empower you to start managing the noise and taking control of your most precious resource: your attention. These easy, practical, doable tips will help you begin to form the right habits to silence noise and reclaim your long-lost focus and peace.

Daily Life and Relationship Habits

1. decide what’s essential.

Noise distracts and leaves you unproductive and without direction. And when people are ruled by noise, they live by default. Therefore, you need to get intentional about prioritizing what matters most to you. Write your defining “go-to” goals in a few words on a small Post-It note. This forces you to keep your goals simple and helps you simplify your life. (For instance: “write next book” or “listen more.”)

2. Tell people about your plan to simplify your life.

When you know exactly what you want to focus on, make a public pact. Create a short list of people you can confide in and share your plan with them. They will help keep you accountable and support you.

3. Master impulse management by saying “no.”

When your mind latches onto things that don’t matter, just say “no” to the impulse to get distracted. Cell phone binging with texts or updates? Just say no. Get distracted by a new thought on your way to grab a pair of scissors? Just say no and focus on grabbing the scissors. Practice this skill every day.

4. Get relentless about clearing the clutter.

Whether it’s crowding your home or your digital world, clutter is just another form of noise. Routinely find items you don’t need and throw them away. Delete an app on your phone that you no longer use. Uncluttering your world encourages more minimalism.

5. Carve out quiet time during the day.

Our brains are high-performance machines, but they crave quiet to rest and reset. Find time for moments of quiet throughout the day: Unplug during your commute, sit quietly for a few minutes after work, or meditate for a few minutes first thing in the morning or just before bed.

6. Use the 7-to-7 rule to curb your smartphone addiction.

After 7:00 p.m., put away your phone for the night. Don’t pick it up again until 7:00 a.m. the next day. This habit reduces screen time and allows for other regenerative activities like reading, conversations, meditation, and exercise.

7. Let yourself feel little feelings.

Without realizing it, we can miss small, yet important parts of our day. Think of three or four simple things you do unconsciously every day. Maybe it’s taking a shower, drinking a glass of water, or sitting in a comfortable chair. While you do these things, feel what it feels like and truly experience it. This gets us started tuning into and appreciating small moments that can turn into something much more meaningful and rewarding.

8. Keep conversations civil and judgment-free.

Heated debates, social media feuds, and angry words are becoming more common today. Tuning out is an immediate response when you don’t share an opponent’s opinion or perspective. When someone tells you something you disagree with, practice listening without judgment and resist the urge to shut down.

9. Practice present listening.

Present listening means both that you are in the moment—not racing ahead or looking back, but in the here and now—and giving your listening as a gift while expecting nothing in return. Be interested, ask questions, and remember that it’s not about you. Resist the urge to follow momentary emotions and thoughts. This lowers the noise around you so that you both get the most out of the exchange.

Leadership and Work Habits

10. shut off the firehose of information..

For transparency, leaders may foster a steady stream of e-mail blasts, town hall meetings, social media posts, video tutorials, and cascading messages. The confuses and frustrates employees and causes them to tune out. Inform your team but don’t force them to consume so much information that they can’t decipher the message.

11. Be brilliant, be brief, and be gone.

In all of your communications—whether you’re writing an e-mail, making a speech, or holding a conversation with an employee—say only what needs to be said. People want brevity. They get irritated when they must sift through long, complicated messages. Worse, they can’t grasp the main point and fail to do what you need them to do.

12. Cut jargon and buzzwords from your vocabulary.

Call a moratorium on phrases like “Strategically leverage platforms to scale growth” or “Turnkey solutions to optimize enterprise impact.” These words are meaningless, and what’s worse, they trigger the Elusive 600 in employees and cause their eyes to glaze over. Say what you mean as clearly as possible and leave out unnecessary corporate-speak.

13. Hold fewer and better meetings.

Professionals spend 23 hours a week in meetings. If you’re a leader, stop holding unnecessary meetings. When a meeting is justifiable, invite only those who are essential to attend. Set your objectives ahead of time, and state them at the beginning of the meeting. Get people involved and ask questions so you can get the feedback of the people in the room. Finally, use your time wisely so you won’t lose people’s attention.

14. Seek out silent spaces and find other ways to drown out the noise.

Modern offices are designed to foster connection and collaboration, but open floor plans usually just breed distraction. Find (or request) a quiet place you can go to focus deeply and get work done. Or invest in a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones.

15. Take five to get things done.

Block off realistic five-minute segments of time to completely focus on and tackle one particular task throughout the day, starting and stopping on time. If you need more time, add another five minutes.

16. Send fewer e-mails and encourage others to do the same.

If the e-mail you’re typing isn’t necessary, don’t send it. According to Templafy, a technology provider, the average office worker receives 121 e-mails per day and sends 40 business e-mails a day. 1 These continual interruptions drain our brain.

17. Commit to work-free nights and weekends.

Don’t bring your work home with you. Working all the time leads to physical and emotional exhaustion. Use your weeknights and weekends to relax, recover, and recharge. This ensures that when you show up to work, you can do your best.

Parenting Habits

18. talk about technology balance with teens.

By the teen years, most kids have smartphones, tablets, and laptops of their own. That’s not likely to change. Besides, there are benefits to technology, and kids will surely need to navigate it when they enter the adult world. But rather than just imposing strict limits, explain to them that while there’s a place for screens, they should never displace time with family, friends, homework, and other responsibilities.

19. Keep Kids Busy with Activities

When kids know they have to do homework, go to band practice, get in volunteer hours, and do chores before they get to sit down at the computer, they’ll get in the habit of prioritizing life over technology.

20. Set the Right Example for Your Kids

When you spend hours watching TV or scrolling through Facebook after work, why would you not expect your kids to do the same? Spend your time in more productive, enriching, and rewarding ways. And talk about it. Say, “I’m really enjoying this pottery class. I like being creative.” Or, “I love working at the soup kitchen. It makes me feel happy to help others.”

21. Monitor Social Media Use

Periodically check their phone. Browse their internet history. You need to be aware of what your child is doing online. Social media exposes your kids to a world of comparison, bullying, exclusion, FOMO, and isolation, and it’s hurting them. Between 2010 and 2016, the number of adolescents who experienced at least one major depressive episode leapt by 60 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS). 2 Fight against this by first having a discussion about cyberbullying, why it’s wrong, and what to do if your child encounters it. Then set healthy limits on how much time (if any) your child is allowed on social media.

22. Prioritize Tech-Free Family Time

Schedule some fun family events on nights and weekends where you all unplug together and enjoy living in the moment. Some ideas include camping trips, going out to dinner, taking a road trip, or visiting an amusement park.

23. Encourage Unplugged Hangouts

Encourage your kids to build meaningful in-person friendships with their peers—not just via text or social media. Chaperone a group outing (minus phones and other devices) to the bowling alley, the beach, or a nearby park.

24. Have device-less dinners

Dinner time can be a sacred time for families. Make a family pact to totally disconnect and enjoy each other’s company while you share a meal together. Take turns talking about your day and really connect with each other.

25. Designate Screen-Free Areas at Home

The places your kids (and you) sleep, converse, and eat should generally be free of technology, especially screens. For example, replace the television in the living room with beautiful artwork or family photos. Replace the computer monitor in the living room with a cozy chair and some nice bookshelves to create a reading nook.

26. Enforce a Reasonable Bedtime

Eighty-six percent of students take their phones with them to bed. Further, teenagers need to get more than nine hours of sleep a night, but they are lucky to get seven. 3 Get your kids in the habit of getting plenty of sleep; their developing brains need time to recharge.

• “How Many Emails Are Sent Every Day? And Other Top Email Statistics Your Business Needs to Know,” Templafy, September 1, 2017, www.templafy.com/blog/how-many-emails-are-sent-every-day-top-email-statistics-your-business-needs-to-know/.
• Markham Heid, “We Need to Talk About Kids and Smartphones,” Time , October 10, 2017, time.com/4974863/kids-smartphones-depression/.
• “Sleep Disorder Statistics—Research and Treatments,” American Sleep Association, 2019, www.sleepassociation.org/about-sleep/sleep-statistics/.

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Home of English Grammar

Tenses worksheet

Complete the following sentences using an appropriate verb form.

1. Don’t disturb me. I ....................... my homework.

We use the present continuous to talk about actions and situations that are happening at the moment of speaking.

2. ‘Where is John?’ ‘He ………………….. out five minutes ago.’

To say that something happened at a particular point of time in the past, we use the past simple tense.

3. The baby ...................... since morning.

To talk about an action or situation that started in the past and has continued up to the present, we use the present perfect continuous tense.

4. My son ..................... to be a doctor.

We use the simple present tense to talk about our likes, preferences, needs and wants.

5. The soup …………………. awful.

Taste is one of those verbs that are not normally used in the continuous form.

6. I ....................... him at the club yesterday.

The present perfect tense cannot be used with past time adverbs like yesterday or last year.

7. He used to visit us every week, but now he .......................

We use the simple present tense to talk about facts and habits.

8. The guests .....................; they are sitting in the garden.

Present perfect is the most common tense for giving news of recent events.

9. I know every scene in that film because I ..................... it several times.

We use the present perfect to talk about a past event whose effect is still felt in the present.

10. I have a friend who .......................... in a pub.

1. Don’t disturb me. I am doing my homework.

2. ‘Where is John?’ ‘He went out five minutes ago.’

3. The baby has been crying since morning.

4. My son wants to be a doctor.

5. The soup tastes awful.

6. I met him at the club yesterday.

7. He used to visit us every week, but now he rarely comes .

8. The guests have arrived ; they are sitting in the garden.

9. I know every scene in that film because I have seen it several times.

10. I have a friend who works in a pub.

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How to Concentrate on Your Homework

Last Updated: June 24, 2024 References

This article was co-authored by Josh Jones and by wikiHow staff writer, Megaera Lorenz, PhD . Josh Jones is the CEO and Founder of Test Prep Unlimited, a GMAT prep tutoring service. Josh built the world's first and only score guarantee program for private GMAT tutoring. He has presented at the QS World MBA Tour and designed math curricula for Chicago Public Schools. He has over 15 years of private tutoring and classroom teaching experience and a BA in Math from the University of Chicago. There are 15 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 437,875 times.

Focusing on homework can be tough, especially when you’d rather be doing anything else. Maybe your attention keeps wandering back to your phone, your stomach is growling, or you just want to put your head down and take a nap. The good news is that you can beat these distractions and get back on track with a few easy changes to your study routine.

Move around or stretch while you work.

• Try sitting on an exercise ball or wobbly chair when you’re doing your homework. The movement may help you stay focused.

Fuel up with water and healthy snacks.

• Apple slices with peanut butter
• Nuts, especially almonds
• Greek yogurt
• Fruit salad
• Dark chocolate

Put away anything that might make it hard to concentrate.

• Some people actually concentrate better with a little noise in the background. If it helps you to have some quiet music on, that’s totally fine! But if you find that it distracts you, turn it off.

Block distracting apps and websites on your computer or tablet.

• For example, you might need to block apps or websites like Facebook or YouTube while you’re working.
• If you get alerts or notifications on your device, turn them off so they won’t distract you. The last thing you need is your tablet blowing up with Facebook notifications while you’re trying to work!

Work on one assignment at a time.

• Don’t try to text your friends or have a conversation with a family member while you’re doing homework, either.

Break your assignments into smaller tasks.

• For example, if you’re supposed to read a book chapter and write a report, start by skimming the chapter headings for important points. Then, read the whole chapter and take notes. Next, make an outline for your report. After that, write the report, and finish up by checking it for mistakes.
• If you have more than one assignment to work on, make a to-do list and put the hardest or most important projects first.

Redirect your attention if you notice your mind wandering.

• It can help to pick a specific thing to focus on to bring yourself back to the present. For example, pay attention to your breathing or to any sounds you can hear around you.
• If you’re working with a friend or family member, ask them to help you stay on track. They can say something like, “Are you focused?” or tap you on the shoulder if they notice you getting distracted. [9] X Trustworthy Source Understood Nonprofit organization dedicated to resources and support to people with thinking differences, such as ADHD or dyslexia Go to source

Fidget with something to help you focus.

• Fidgets are great concentration aids for some people, but are distracting for others. Don’t keep using a fidget if it’s taking your mind off your work.

Turn your homework into a game to make it more fun.

• You can also turn it into a game with a friend or family member. For example, take turns quizzing each other and give points for each right answer. Whoever gets the most points wins the game.
• Or, if you’d rather not play a structured game, try making up a story about what you’re doing. For instance, if you’re studying history, imagine yourself living in the time period you’re learning about.

Try working with a study buddy.

• You could even get together with a small group. Trade notes, quiz each other, or just hang out quietly while you all do homework together.

Take a break at least once an hour.

• You can also use a timer to make sure your breaks don’t go on too long. Remember, the sooner you get back to work, the sooner you can get it done!
• If you’re feeling really restless, frustrated, or distracted, it’s okay to take a break ahead of schedule. Give yourself a few minutes to unwind, then try again.

Pick a time when you feel awake and rested if possible.

• Make it a routine to do your homework at the same time each day. For example, if you’re an evening person, try doing it right after supper every night. [16] X Research source Having a schedule will make your work feel less overwhelming.
• You can’t always choose the perfect time to do your homework, but having a routine can still help you get in the zone when it’s time to work! Once you pick a time, try to stick to it.

Study in a quiet, comfortable spot.

• If you’re studying at home with your family, ask them to keep it down while you work.
• Be careful studying in your room—if you use a space where you usually sleep or relax, it’ll be hard to get into homework mode! Set aside a spot just for homework, and don’t do your work in bed. [18] X Research source
• Finding a good study space can be tough, especially if there are other people around. If you can’t find a quiet spot, put on some noise-canceling headphones. Listen to white noise or peaceful music without vocals to help you tune out background sounds.

Organize your study supplies.

• If you like to nibble while you study, set your snacks out before you get started.
• If there’s stuff in your study space that you don’t need, take a few minutes to clean it up or put it away before you start working. Put completed assignments in their folders and throw away any trash.

Move to a new study spot if you’re feeling bored.

• Even changing your usual study space a little can help. For example, put up some new decorations or move to the other side of the dining table.
• It seems weird, but just the right amount of background noise can actually help you concentrate! That’s one reason some people work better in coffee shops or study halls.

Reward yourself with something fun when you’re done.

• For example, you could watch an episode of your favorite TV show, play a game you like, or call up a friend.

Supercharge Your Studying with this Expert Series

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• Try mindful meditation to help you focus and relax. [21] X Trustworthy Source Greater Good Magazine Journal published by UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center, which uses scientific research to promote happier living Go to source Look for mindful meditation videos online or use an app like Calm or Smiling Mind to help you practice. The more you practice, the easier it’ll be to use your mindfulness skills when you need them—like when you’re doing homework. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Tips from our Readers

• Take detailed notes in class to help you. If you are able to, type on the computer rather than handwrite (it won't make your hand ache, and it's faster, so long as you don't get distracted). Also, don't wear your most casual clothes for homework, as this will relax you and will make you focus less. Don't look at how much more you have to do; look at what you've done already, as this will make your assignments seem less daunting.
• I used to have some trouble focusing on homework because I would always try to watch YouTube while doing it. It helped me to set a timer for 20 or so minutes and work on homework. Then I would take a 10 minute break. It helped me do homework without frying my brain.
• When rewarding yourself, don't reward yourself with television or games. Sometimes it'll turn into procrastination. Instead, reward yourself with small stretches or a favorite snack.
• If you need to use the bathroom or anything while you are working, assign a number of questions that you have to finish to use the bathroom. This will make you want to work harder!
• Put your phone on airplane mode. This will mute your phone and you will have to manually put it back to regular mode. Only switch it off when you're done with all your work.
• If you have something that you seriously don't want to do, take small 5-minute breaks between steps. This will calm your stress and help you concentrate more.

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/movement-and-learning/
• ↑ https://www.sacap.edu.za/blog/applied-psychology/how-to-concentrate-on-studies/
• ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/focused.html
• ↑ https://www.commonsense.org/education/articles/5-ways-to-help-students-manage-digital-distractions-and-stay-on-track
• ↑ https://today.uconn.edu/2015/07/multitasking-increases-study-time-lowers-grades/#
• ↑ https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/tips-for-helping-your-child-focus-and-concentrate
• ↑ https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_to_focus_a_wandering_mind
• ↑ https://www.understood.org/en/learning-thinking-differences/child-learning-disabilities/add-adhd/how-to-improve-focus-in-kids
• ↑ https://www.understood.org/en/learning-thinking-differences/child-learning-disabilities/distractibility-inattention/child-trouble-focusing
• ↑ https://www.oxford-royale.com/articles/10-ways-fun-study/
• ↑ https://www.washburn.edu/academics/center-student-success/student-success-collaborative/Navigate-Study-Buddies.pdf
• ↑ https://time.com/3518053/perfect-break/
• ↑ https://www.uindy.edu/studentcounseling/files/studyingfromhomeduringcoronavirusdukekunshanu.pdf
• ↑ https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210114-why-youre-more-creative-in-coffee-shops
• ↑ https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_to_practice_mindfulness_throughout_your_work_day

About This Article

To concentrate on your homework, start by settling into a quiet place and putting your phone away so it's not a distraction. Then, tackle your hardest or most time-consuming homework assignments first to get them out of the way. Try to finish each task before moving onto something else since jumping between assignments can disrupt your focus. Also, take 5-minute breaks every 30 minutes so your homework doesn't feel endless and you have something to look forward to. To learn how to stay motivated while doing your homework, scroll down! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Noise Distraction

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Are you distracted by noise? Some students struggle to pay attention in class and other study areas because small background noises interfere with their concentration. Background noise does not affect all students in the same way. There are a few factors that may determine whether noise distraction is a problem for you.

Noise Distraction and Learning Styles

Three of the most commonly recognized learning styles are visual learning , tactile learning, and auditory learning . It is important to discover your own prominent learning style to determine how to study most effectively, but it's also important to know your learning style in order to recognize potential problems. Studies have shown that auditory learners are most distracted by background noise. But how will you know if you are an auditory learner? Auditory learners often:

• Talk to themselves while reading or studying
• Move their lips while reading
• Are better at speaking than writing
• Spell better out loud
• Have difficulty visualizing things
• Can't follow conversations when the TV is on
• Can mimic songs and tunes well

If you feel that these traits describe your personality, you may need to pay special attention to your study habits and the location of your study space.

Noise Distraction and Personality Type

Two personality types that you may recognize are introversion and extraversion. It is important to know that these types have nothing to do with ability or intelligence; these terms merely describe the way that different people function. Some students are deep thinkers who tend to talk less than others. These are common traits of introverted students.

One study has shown that noise distraction can be more harmful to introverted students than to extroverted students when it comes to study time. Introverted students can experience more difficulty understanding what they are reading in a noisy environment. Introverts typically:

• Like to work independently
• Are confident about their own opinions
• Think deeply about things
• Reflect and analyze more before acting on something
• Can focus on one thing for a long time
• Enjoy reading
• Are happy in their "own little world"
• Have a few deep friendships

If these traits sound familiar to you, you may want to read more about introversion. You may discover that you need to adjust your study habits to cut down on the potential for noise distraction.

Avoiding Noise Distraction

Sometimes we don't realize how much background noise can affect our performance. If you suspect that noise interference is affecting your grades, you should consider the following recommendations.

• Turn off the mp3 and other music when you study: You may love your music, but it's not good for you when you're reading.
• Stay away from the TV when doing homework: Television shows contain plots and conversations that can trick your brain into distraction when you don't even realize it! If your family watches TV at one end of the house during homework time, try to move to the other end.
• Buy earplugs: Small, expanding foam earplugs are available at large retail stores and auto stores. They're great for blocking out the noise.
• Consider investing in some noise-blocking earphones: This is a more expensive solution, but it might make a big difference in your homework performance if you have a serious problem with noise distraction.

For more information you may consider:

"The Effects of Noise Distraction on SAT Scores," by Janice M. Chatto and Laura O'Donnell. Ergonomics , Volume 45, Number 3, 2002,pp. 203-217.

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How to Do Homework: 15 Expert Tips and Tricks

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Everyone struggles with homework sometimes, but if getting your homework done has become a chronic issue for you, then you may need a little extra help. That’s why we’ve written this article all about how to do homework. Once you’re finished reading it, you’ll know how to do homework (and have tons of new ways to motivate yourself to do homework)!

We’ve broken this article down into a few major sections. You’ll find:

• A diagnostic test to help you figure out why you’re struggling with homework
• A discussion of the four major homework problems students face, along with expert tips for addressing them
• A bonus section with tips for how to do homework fast

By the end of this article, you’ll be prepared to tackle whatever homework assignments your teachers throw at you .

So let’s get started!

How to Do Homework: Figure Out Your Struggles 

Sometimes it feels like everything is standing between you and getting your homework done. But the truth is, most people only have one or two major roadblocks that are keeping them from getting their homework done well and on time. 

The best way to figure out how to get motivated to do homework starts with pinpointing the issues that are affecting your ability to get your assignments done. That’s why we’ve developed a short quiz to help you identify the areas where you’re struggling. 

Take the quiz below and record your answers on your phone or on a scrap piece of paper. Keep in mind there are no wrong answers! 

1. You’ve just been assigned an essay in your English class that’s due at the end of the week. What’s the first thing you do?

A. Keep it in mind, even though you won’t start it until the day before it’s due  B. Open up your planner. You’ve got to figure out when you’ll write your paper since you have band practice, a speech tournament, and your little sister’s dance recital this week, too.  C. Groan out loud. Another essay? You could barely get yourself to write the last one!  D. Start thinking about your essay topic, which makes you think about your art project that’s due the same day, which reminds you that your favorite artist might have just posted to Instagram...so you better check your feed right now. 

2. Your mom asked you to pick up your room before she gets home from work. You’ve just gotten home from school. You decide you’ll tackle your chores: 

A. Five minutes before your mom walks through the front door. As long as it gets done, who cares when you start?  B. As soon as you get home from your shift at the local grocery store.  C. After you give yourself a 15-minute pep talk about how you need to get to work.  D. You won’t get it done. Between texts from your friends, trying to watch your favorite Netflix show, and playing with your dog, you just lost track of time! 

3. You’ve signed up to wash dogs at the Humane Society to help earn money for your senior class trip. You: 

A. Show up ten minutes late. You put off leaving your house until the last minute, then got stuck in unexpected traffic on the way to the shelter.  B. Have to call and cancel at the last minute. You forgot you’d already agreed to babysit your cousin and bake cupcakes for tomorrow’s bake sale.  C. Actually arrive fifteen minutes early with extra brushes and bandanas you picked up at the store. You’re passionate about animals, so you’re excited to help out! D. Show up on time, but only get three dogs washed. You couldn’t help it: you just kept getting distracted by how cute they were!

4. You have an hour of downtime, so you decide you’re going to watch an episode of The Great British Baking Show. You: 

A. Scroll through your social media feeds for twenty minutes before hitting play, which means you’re not able to finish the whole episode. Ugh! You really wanted to see who was sent home!  B. Watch fifteen minutes until you remember you’re supposed to pick up your sister from band practice before heading to your part-time job. No GBBO for you!  C. You finish one episode, then decide to watch another even though you’ve got SAT studying to do. It’s just more fun to watch people make scones.  D. Start the episode, but only catch bits and pieces of it because you’re reading Twitter, cleaning out your backpack, and eating a snack at the same time.

5. Your teacher asks you to stay after class because you’ve missed turning in two homework assignments in a row. When she asks you what’s wrong, you say: 

A. You planned to do your assignments during lunch, but you ran out of time. You decided it would be better to turn in nothing at all than submit unfinished work.  B. You really wanted to get the assignments done, but between your extracurriculars, family commitments, and your part-time job, your homework fell through the cracks.  C. You have a hard time psyching yourself to tackle the assignments. You just can’t seem to find the motivation to work on them once you get home.  D. You tried to do them, but you had a hard time focusing. By the time you realized you hadn’t gotten anything done, it was already time to turn them in. 

Like we said earlier, there are no right or wrong answers to this quiz (though your results will be better if you answered as honestly as possible). Here’s how your answers break down: 

• If your answers were mostly As, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is procrastination. 
• If your answers were mostly Bs, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is time management. 
• If your answers were mostly Cs, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is motivation. 
• If your answers were mostly Ds, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is getting distracted. 

Now that you’ve identified why you’re having a hard time getting your homework done, we can help you figure out how to fix it! Scroll down to find your core problem area to learn more about how you can start to address it. 

And one more thing: you’re really struggling with homework, it’s a good idea to read through every section below. You may find some additional tips that will help make homework less intimidating. 

How to Do Homework When You’re a Procrastinator  

Merriam Webster defines “procrastinate” as “to put off intentionally and habitually.” In other words, procrastination is when you choose to do something at the last minute on a regular basis. If you’ve ever found yourself pulling an all-nighter, trying to finish an assignment between periods, or sprinting to turn in a paper minutes before a deadline, you’ve experienced the effects of procrastination. 

If you’re a chronic procrastinator, you’re in good company. In fact, one study found that 70% to 95% of undergraduate students procrastinate when it comes to doing their homework. Unfortunately, procrastination can negatively impact your grades. Researchers have found that procrastination can lower your grade on an assignment by as much as five points ...which might not sound serious until you realize that can mean the difference between a B- and a C+. 

Procrastination can also negatively affect your health by increasing your stress levels , which can lead to other health conditions like insomnia, a weakened immune system, and even heart conditions. Getting a handle on procrastination can not only improve your grades, it can make you feel better, too! 

The big thing to understand about procrastination is that it’s not the result of laziness. Laziness is defined as being “disinclined to activity or exertion.” In other words, being lazy is all about doing nothing. But a s this Psychology Today article explains , procrastinators don’t put things off because they don’t want to work. Instead, procrastinators tend to postpone tasks they don’t want to do in favor of tasks that they perceive as either more important or more fun. Put another way, procrastinators want to do things...as long as it’s not their homework! 

3 Tips f or Conquering Procrastination 

Because putting off doing homework is a common problem, there are lots of good tactics for addressing procrastination. Keep reading for our three expert tips that will get your homework habits back on track in no time. 

#1: Create a Reward System

Like we mentioned earlier, procrastination happens when you prioritize other activities over getting your homework done. Many times, this happens because homework...well, just isn’t enjoyable. But you can add some fun back into the process by rewarding yourself for getting your work done. 

Here’s what we mean: let’s say you decide that every time you get your homework done before the day it’s due, you’ll give yourself a point. For every five points you earn, you’ll treat yourself to your favorite dessert: a chocolate cupcake! Now you have an extra (delicious!) incentive to motivate you to leave procrastination in the dust. 

If you’re not into cupcakes, don’t worry. Your reward can be anything that motivates you . Maybe it’s hanging out with your best friend or an extra ten minutes of video game time. As long as you’re choosing something that makes homework worth doing, you’ll be successful. 

#2: Have a Homework Accountability Partner 

If you’re having trouble getting yourself to start your homework ahead of time, it may be a good idea to call in reinforcements . Find a friend or classmate you can trust and explain to them that you’re trying to change your homework habits. Ask them if they’d be willing to text you to make sure you’re doing your homework and check in with you once a week to see if you’re meeting your anti-procrastination goals. 

Sharing your goals can make them feel more real, and an accountability partner can help hold you responsible for your decisions. For example, let’s say you’re tempted to put off your science lab write-up until the morning before it’s due. But you know that your accountability partner is going to text you about it tomorrow...and you don’t want to fess up that you haven’t started your assignment. A homework accountability partner can give you the extra support and incentive you need to keep your homework habits on track. 

#3: Create Your Own Due Dates 

If you’re a life-long procrastinator, you might find that changing the habit is harder than you expected. In that case, you might try using procrastination to your advantage! If you just can’t seem to stop doing your work at the last minute, try setting your own due dates for assignments that range from a day to a week before the assignment is actually due. 

Here’s what we mean. Let’s say you have a math worksheet that’s been assigned on Tuesday and is due on Friday. In your planner, you can write down the due date as Thursday instead. You may still put off your homework assignment until the last minute...but in this case, the “last minute” is a day before the assignment’s real due date . This little hack can trick your procrastination-addicted brain into planning ahead! 

If you feel like Kevin Hart in this meme, then our tips for doing homework when you're busy are for you. 

How to Do Homework When You’re too Busy

If you’re aiming to go to a top-tier college , you’re going to have a full plate. Because college admissions is getting more competitive, it’s important that you’re maintaining your grades , studying hard for your standardized tests , and participating in extracurriculars so your application stands out. A packed schedule can get even more hectic once you add family obligations or a part-time job to the mix. 

If you feel like you’re being pulled in a million directions at once, you’re not alone. Recent research has found that stress—and more severe stress-related conditions like anxiety and depression— are a major problem for high school students . In fact, one study from the American Psychological Association found that during the school year, students’ stress levels are higher than those of the adults around them. 

For students, homework is a major contributor to their overall stress levels . Many high schoolers have multiple hours of homework every night , and figuring out how to fit it into an already-packed schedule can seem impossible. 

3 Tips for Fitting Homework Into Your Busy Schedule

While it might feel like you have literally no time left in your schedule, there are still ways to make sure you’re able to get your homework done and meet your other commitments. Here are our expert homework tips for even the busiest of students. 

#1: Make a Prioritized To-Do List 

You probably already have a to-do list to keep yourself on track. The next step is to prioritize the items on your to-do list so you can see what items need your attention right away. 

Here’s how it works: at the beginning of each day, sit down and make a list of all the items you need to get done before you go to bed. This includes your homework, but it should also take into account any practices, chores, events, or job shifts you may have. Once you get everything listed out, it’s time to prioritize them using the labels A, B, and C. Here’s what those labels mean:

• A Tasks : tasks that have to get done—like showing up at work or turning in an assignment—get an A. 
• B Tasks : these are tasks that you would like to get done by the end of the day but aren’t as time sensitive. For example, studying for a test you have next week could be a B-level task. It’s still important, but it doesn’t have to be done right away.
• C Tasks: these are tasks that aren’t very important and/or have no real consequences if you don’t get them done immediately. For instance, if you’re hoping to clean out your closet but it’s not an assigned chore from your parents, you could label that to-do item with a C.

Prioritizing your to-do list helps you visualize which items need your immediate attention, and which items you can leave for later. A prioritized to-do list ensures that you’re spending your time efficiently and effectively, which helps you make room in your schedule for homework. So even though you might really want to start making decorations for Homecoming (a B task), you’ll know that finishing your reading log (an A task) is more important. 

#2: Use a Planner With Time Labels

Your planner is probably packed with notes, events, and assignments already. (And if you’re not using a planner, it’s time to start!) But planners can do more for you than just remind you when an assignment is due. If you’re using a planner with time labels, it can help you visualize how you need to spend your day.

A planner with time labels breaks your day down into chunks, and you assign tasks to each chunk of time. For example, you can make a note of your class schedule with assignments, block out time to study, and make sure you know when you need to be at practice. Once you know which tasks take priority, you can add them to any empty spaces in your day. 

Planning out how you spend your time not only helps you use it wisely, it can help you feel less overwhelmed, too . We’re big fans of planners that include a task list ( like this one ) or have room for notes ( like this one ). 

#3: Set Reminders on Your Phone 

If you need a little extra nudge to make sure you’re getting your homework done on time, it’s a good idea to set some reminders on your phone. You don’t need a fancy app, either. You can use your alarm app to have it go off at specific times throughout the day to remind you to do your homework. This works especially well if you have a set homework time scheduled. So if you’ve decided you’re doing homework at 6:00 pm, you can set an alarm to remind you to bust out your books and get to work. 

If you use your phone as your planner, you may have the option to add alerts, emails, or notifications to scheduled events . Many calendar apps, including the one that comes with your phone, have built-in reminders that you can customize to meet your needs. So if you block off time to do your homework from 4:30 to 6:00 pm, you can set a reminder that will pop up on your phone when it’s time to get started. 

This dog isn't judging your lack of motivation...but your teacher might. Keep reading for tips to help you motivate yourself to do your homework.

How to Do Homework When You’re Unmotivated 

At first glance, it may seem like procrastination and being unmotivated are the same thing. After all, both of these issues usually result in you putting off your homework until the very last minute. 

But there’s one key difference: many procrastinators are working, they’re just prioritizing work differently. They know they’re going to start their homework...they’re just going to do it later. 

Conversely, people who are unmotivated to do homework just can’t find the willpower to tackle their assignments. Procrastinators know they’ll at least attempt the homework at the last minute, whereas people who are unmotivated struggle with convincing themselves to do it at a ll. For procrastinators, the stress comes from the inevitable time crunch. For unmotivated people, the stress comes from trying to convince themselves to do something they don’t want to do in the first place. 

Here are some common reasons students are unmotivated in doing homework : 

• Assignments are too easy, too hard, or seemingly pointless 
• Students aren’t interested in (or passionate about) the subject matter
• Students are intimidated by the work and/or feels like they don’t understand the assignment 
• Homework isn’t fun, and students would rather spend their time on things that they enjoy 

To sum it up: people who lack motivation to do their homework are more likely to not do it at all, or to spend more time worrying about doing their homework than...well, actually doing it.

3 Tips for How to Get Motivated to Do Homework

The key to getting homework done when you’re unmotivated is to figure out what does motivate you, then apply those things to homework. It sounds tricky...but it’s pretty simple once you get the hang of it! Here are our three expert tips for motivating yourself to do your homework. 

#1: Use Incremental Incentives

When you’re not motivated, it’s important to give yourself small rewards to stay focused on finishing the task at hand. The trick is to keep the incentives small and to reward yourself often. For example, maybe you’re reading a good book in your free time. For every ten minutes you spend on your homework, you get to read five pages of your book. Like we mentioned earlier, make sure you’re choosing a reward that works for you! 

So why does this technique work? Using small rewards more often allows you to experience small wins for getting your work done. Every time you make it to one of your tiny reward points, you get to celebrate your success, which gives your brain a boost of dopamine . Dopamine helps you stay motivated and also creates a feeling of satisfaction when you complete your homework !  

#2: Form a Homework Group 

If you’re having trouble motivating yourself, it’s okay to turn to others for support. Creating a homework group can help with this. Bring together a group of your friends or classmates, and pick one time a week where you meet and work on homework together. You don’t have to be in the same class, or even taking the same subjects— the goal is to encourage one another to start (and finish!) your assignments. 

Another added benefit of a homework group is that you can help one another if you’re struggling to understand the material covered in your classes. This is especially helpful if your lack of motivation comes from being intimidated by your assignments. Asking your friends for help may feel less scary than talking to your teacher...and once you get a handle on the material, your homework may become less frightening, too. 

#3: Change Up Your Environment 

If you find that you’re totally unmotivated, it may help if you find a new place to do your homework. For example, if you’ve been struggling to get your homework done at home, try spending an extra hour in the library after school instead. The change of scenery can limit your distractions and give you the energy you need to get your work done. 

If you’re stuck doing homework at home, you can still use this tip. For instance, maybe you’ve always done your homework sitting on your bed. Try relocating somewhere else, like your kitchen table, for a few weeks. You may find that setting up a new “homework spot” in your house gives you a motivational lift and helps you get your work done. 

Social media can be a huge problem when it comes to doing homework. We have advice for helping you unplug and regain focus.

How to Do Homework When You’re Easily Distracted

We live in an always-on world, and there are tons of things clamoring for our attention. From friends and family to pop culture and social media, it seems like there’s always something (or someone!) distracting us from the things we need to do.

The 24/7 world we live in has affected our ability to focus on tasks for prolonged periods of time. Research has shown that over the past decade, an average person’s attention span has gone from 12 seconds to eight seconds . And when we do lose focus, i t takes people a long time to get back on task . One study found that it can take as long as 23 minutes to get back to work once we’ve been distracte d. No wonder it can take hours to get your homework done! 

3 Tips to Improve Your Focus

If you have a hard time focusing when you’re doing your homework, it’s a good idea to try and eliminate as many distractions as possible. Here are three expert tips for blocking out the noise so you can focus on getting your homework done. 

#1: Create a Distraction-Free Environment

Pick a place where you’ll do your homework every day, and make it as distraction-free as possible. Try to find a location where there won’t be tons of noise, and limit your access to screens while you’re doing your homework. Put together a focus-oriented playlist (or choose one on your favorite streaming service), and put your headphones on while you work. 

You may find that other people, like your friends and family, are your biggest distraction. If that’s the case, try setting up some homework boundaries. Let them know when you’ll be working on homework every day, and ask them if they’ll help you keep a quiet environment. They’ll be happy to lend a hand! 

#2: Limit Your Access to Technology 

We know, we know...this tip isn’t fun, but it does work. For homework that doesn’t require a computer, like handouts or worksheets, it’s best to put all your technology away . Turn off your television, put your phone and laptop in your backpack, and silence notifications on any wearable tech you may be sporting. If you listen to music while you work, that’s fine...but make sure you have a playlist set up so you’re not shuffling through songs once you get started on your homework. 

If your homework requires your laptop or tablet, it can be harder to limit your access to distractions. But it’s not impossible! T here are apps you can download that will block certain websites while you’re working so that you’re not tempted to scroll through Twitter or check your Facebook feed. Silence notifications and text messages on your computer, and don’t open your email account unless you absolutely have to. And if you don’t need access to the internet to complete your assignments, turn off your WiFi. Cutting out the online chatter is a great way to make sure you’re getting your homework done. 

#3: Set a Timer (the Pomodoro Technique)

Have you ever heard of the Pomodoro technique ? It’s a productivity hack that uses a timer to help you focus!

Here’s how it works: first, set a timer for 25 minutes. This is going to be your work time. During this 25 minutes, all you can do is work on whatever homework assignment you have in front of you. No email, no text messaging, no phone calls—just homework. When that timer goes off, you get to take a 5 minute break. Every time you go through one of these cycles, it’s called a “pomodoro.” For every four pomodoros you complete, you can take a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes.

The pomodoro technique works through a combination of boundary setting and rewards. First, it gives you a finite amount of time to focus, so you know that you only have to work really hard for 25 minutes. Once you’ve done that, you’re rewarded with a short break where you can do whatever you want. Additionally, tracking how many pomodoros you complete can help you see how long you’re really working on your homework. (Once you start using our focus tips, you may find it doesn’t take as long as you thought!)

Two Bonus Tips for How to Do Homework Fast

Even if you’re doing everything right, there will be times when you just need to get your homework done as fast as possible. (Why do teachers always have projects due in the same week? The world may never know.)

The problem with speeding through homework is that it’s easy to make mistakes. While turning in an assignment is always better than not submitting anything at all, you want to make sure that you’re not compromising quality for speed. Simply put, the goal is to get your homework done quickly and still make a good grade on the assignment! 

Here are our two bonus tips for getting a decent grade on your homework assignments , even when you’re in a time crunch. 

#1: Do the Easy Parts First 

This is especially true if you’re working on a handout with multiple questions. Before you start working on the assignment, read through all the questions and problems. As you do, make a mark beside the questions you think are “easy” to answer . 

Once you’ve finished going through the whole assignment, you can answer these questions first. Getting the easy questions out of the way as quickly as possible lets you spend more time on the trickier portions of your homework, which will maximize your assignment grade. 

(Quick note: this is also a good strategy to use on timed assignments and tests, like the SAT and the ACT !) 

#2: Pay Attention in Class 

Homework gets a lot easier when you’re actively learning the material. Teachers aren’t giving you homework because they’re mean or trying to ruin your weekend... it’s because they want you to really understand the course material. Homework is designed to reinforce what you’re already learning in class so you’ll be ready to tackle harder concepts later.

When you pay attention in class, ask questions, and take good notes, you’re absorbing the information you’ll need to succeed on your homework assignments. (You’re stuck in class anyway, so you might as well make the most of it!) Not only will paying attention in class make your homework less confusing, it will also help it go much faster, too.

What’s Next?

If you’re looking to improve your productivity beyond homework, a good place to begin is with time management. After all, we only have so much time in a day...so it’s important to get the most out of it! To get you started, check out this list of the 12 best time management techniques that you can start using today.

You may have read this article because homework struggles have been affecting your GPA. Now that you’re on the path to homework success, it’s time to start being proactive about raising your grades. This article teaches you everything you need to know about raising your GPA so you can

Now you know how to get motivated to do homework...but what about your study habits? Studying is just as critical to getting good grades, and ultimately getting into a good college . We can teach you how to study bette r in high school. (We’ve also got tons of resources to help you study for your ACT and SAT exams , too!)

These recommendations are based solely on our knowledge and experience. If you purchase an item through one of our links, PrepScholar may receive a commission.

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• Published on September 15, 2022
• September 15, 2022

How to Focus on Homework and Actually Get Things Done: 12 Hacks for Busy Students

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Chances are, you’ve had some days when you felt overwhelmed after a long day at school. You couldn’t imagine doing anything other than plopping down in front of the television, let alone finding out how to focus on your homework. 

How can you overcome the resistance and get it done? How do you get your mind to include this task in your day as well?

With just a few adjustments, you will be able to expand your capacity to concentrate.

Why Can’t I Focus on My Homework?

Countless factors constantly fight for your attention : social media, people, overthinking, and anxiety. All of this can make you feel as though you have little control over your mind. 

If you want to start to focus better on your homework, you’ll need to set your mind up for success. Remove all distractions .

Here are two key principles that can help you be more successful in your studies:

1. Identify the distractions in your surroundings

What are the things in your daily life that take your mind away from your studies? Clearly identifying these distractions can help you understand both the problem and what causes it.

Among our environmental distractions, digital distractions are one of the worst kinds, and according to a number of studies , their effect is on the rise in the classroom.

If you’re looking to gain more concentration and, thus, form better study habits, question your online behavior first and foremost.

2. Limit the use of technology to find focus

What’s the role of social media in your daily life? Have you ever sat down to calculate how social media distracts you from doing the things you should be doing?

When you are wondering how to focus on homework long after you’ve put your phone away, you’re still thinking about the last posts you saw on Instagram. The sound of new notifications can be enough to reroute our attention from the task at hand.

And then comes the information overload, the fear of missing out, and the all-too-common signs of addictive behavior. Technology is affecting your mind more than ever, and it’s taking your focus away.

How to Focus on Homework: 12 Things You Can Do to Be More Indistractible

Here are 12 tips on how to stay focused while completing your homework, taught by superbrain coach Jim Kwik and habit transformation expert Nir Eyal .

• Make a routine
• Set up a study-friendly environment
• Avoid heavy meals
• Organize your study notes
• Tell others to stay away
• Listen to study music
• Set deadlines
• Take brain breaks
• Use discomfort as motivation for productivity
• Use time blocking
• Let go of thoughts that distract you
• Reimagine your task

Let’s look at each study hack in more detail.

1. Make a routine

Routines help you be productive without exerting as much effort. When you have homework to do, a study routine can be the reason you actually sit down, set enough time aside, concentrate, and stay focused until you complete the project.

This process doesn’t need to be complicated: just tell yourself that you will sit at your desk at home once you’re back from school. Put your phone on silent, make an outline of the work that needs to get done, and simply begin with what’s most important.

2. Set up a study-friendly environment

A place for everything and everything in its place. That applies to studying, too.

Lying in bed with your notebook is considered a distraction, as is being in the living room with your laptop while others are doing their activities.

You need an isolated place when you decide to focus on your homework. Make it feel comfortable, keep it organized, keep it clean, and consider putting up some motivational posters or positive affirmations .

3. Avoid heavy meals

It’s not advisable to have a big meal beforehand. Big meals can ruin your focus and make you feel sluggish and lazy because it takes a big amount of time and energy for your body to digest. A snack is okay.

There are also some foods , though, that are just plain bad for your productivity. For example, soda, candy, and fried foods are all full of sugar and have no nutritional value. They make your insulin spike up, but then it crashes very fast, which makes you feel depleted of energy.

4. Organize your study notes

Prioritize your work. Keep lists and place the most important items on top. Then work on the items that you should get done first.

It helps to outline what you need to do, breaking it down into smaller, more manageable steps. Use colors to highlight the essentials . 

This makes it all look much simpler and you’re more likely to actually get started. The brain loves organization and it won’t be so likely to procrastinate when it knows you have a structure set in place.

5. Tell others to stay away

Don’t be afraid to let others know that you’re studying and require some time and space to get your work done. Decide on fixed hours for studying and tell your friends and family members that you won’t be available during that time of the day.

If others respect your study time, you’ll be more inclined to respect it as well. 

6. Listen to study music

There are many tracks out there designed to help your mind focus. Whether you use binaural beats or just instrumental music, the right sounds can really help to tune your brain into a productive frequency.

This meditation is also great to listen to; it puts your mind in a clear, concise, and ready-to-take-on-the-world mode:

7. Set deadlines

Even if your teacher has already given you deadlines for each assignment, set new ones yourself at earlier dates.

This helps you build discipline, learn how to focus on studying, and prioritize every day.

8. Take brain breaks

Frequent breaks actually increase your productivity and focus. You’ll see that after each study session, the brain needs to be engaged with something different —  you need to activate other parts of your brain before going back to your studies so that you can reach top performance.

You can also use the Superbrain Yoga Technique. In the Superbrain Quest, Jim talks about implementing it during your breaks. It goes as follows:

• Massage the left lobe of your ear with your right hand, and the right one with your left hand
• Inhale and squat down
• Exhale and come back up while continuing massaging your opposite ear with the opposite hand
• Keep going for a few minutes

As your body moves, your brain grooves. — Jim Kwik, trainer of Mindvalley’s Superbrain Quest

9. Use discomfort as motivation for productivity

The brain is wired to protect us from danger, and our ancestors needed this function of the psyche to survive. Discomfort is associated with danger, and whenever they felt it, they knew it was time to run away or protect themselves in one way or another.

In today’s world, danger isn’t so imminent. However, discomfort is, and the brain still works to protect us in the same way. 

So why not use it to your advantage?

Once you have this mindset shift, you can see the discomfort that comes with doing your homework as fuel for moving forward, from pain to pleasure. So instead of procrastinating and avoiding the discomfort, just use it as motivation to get things done.

And maybe you can even save yourself a fun activity to do later in the day, so you have something to look forward to.

10. Use time blocking

You can use time blocking and set a specific amount of time for parts of your homework that needs to be done. For example, you block 30 minutes of reading, then another 30 minutes of writing down highlights from the text. 

This method will give you more structure and support you when you need to focus on school work, as you will have a dedicated structured time to do so.

11. Let go of thoughts that distract you

When you need more concentration, but your thoughts keep getting in the way, here’s a fun visualization exercise you can use:

• Before you start working on your homework, close down your eyes and imagine a flowing river in front of you. 
• Now, place every thought on a leaf and let it run down the river while watching it move away from you. 

Do this repeatedly for 5-10 minutes and see how your mind becomes clearer, more productive, and more inspired.

12. Reimagine your task

How can you make the process of doing your homework more fun? Is there any way you can think of to make it more exciting and engaging?

As you introduce play and fun into any task, your capacity to stay focused will increase. So just try out different methods to engage more in your homework. 

For example, what if you made a trivia quest about your history lesson homework? Or what about riddles to make you remember all the characters from the novel you have to read? 

Once you play around with these kinds of games, you might find that focusing on your homework isn’t as boring as you thought it would be.

Unleash the Power of Your Focus

Discovering how to focus on your homework can go beyond schoolwork and actually support you in many other activities you want to do. Concentration is one of the best skills to nurture for your growth.

If you need a little guidance at the beginning of your focusing journey, Mindvalley has it in store for you. 

By unlocking your FREE Mindvalley access , you can check out sample classes from quests that help you develop better focus and study habits, such as Becoming Focused and Indistractable by Nir Eyal and Superbrain by Jim Kwik. You can also immerse yourself in beautiful sounds and guided meditations designed to improve concentration and help you enter the flow state.

The earlier you start, the greater your journey of self-discovery will be. Welcome in.

— Images generated on Midjourney.

Watch a free masterclass

Discover Powerful Hacks to Unlock Your Superbrain to Learn Faster, Comprehend More and Forget Less

Join the foremost expert in memory improvement and brain performance, Jim Kwik, in a free masterclass that will dive into the one skill you will ever need — learning how to learn Enroll for free

Alexandra Tudor

Jim Kwik is a brain coach and a world expert in speed reading, memory improvement, and optimal brain performance.

Known as the “boy with the broken brain” due to a childhood injury, Jim discovered strategies to dramatically enhance his mental performance.

He is now committed, through programs like Mindvalley’s Superbrain and Speed Reading Quest , to helping people improve their memory, learn to speed-read, increase their decision-making skills, and turn on their superbrain.

He has also shared his techniques with Hollywood actors, Fortune 500 companies, and trailblazing entrepreneurs like Elon Musk and Richard Branson to reach their highest level of mental performance. He is also one of the most sought-after trainers for top organizations like Harvard University, Nike, Virgin, and GE.

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elementary 12-17 6492   elementary 10-14 4347   elementary 11-14 2973   intermediate 12-17 3130   intermediate 10-17 2406   intermediate 12-17 1993   Grammar Exercises Grammar Lessons Grammar Quizzes Mixed Tests PDF Worksheets Beginners Lessons Easy Worksheets Beginners Tests Reading Exercises Drag & Drop Grammar English For Kids Kids Word Games Picture Vocabulary Reading Tests Short Dialogues Short Sentences Closest in Meaning Irrelevant Sentence ESL Paragraphs GRE Reading Text Completion GRE Equivalence SAT Sentence Essay Writing Vocabulary Exercises Study Skills Tips Drag & Drop Vocab IF Clauses Zero Conditional Exercise 2 Try our latest video exercises. GrammarBank Video Exercises (New!) Simple Past or Present Perfect Simple Put the verbs into the correct tense (simple past or present perfect simple). I (just / finish) my homework. Mary (already / write) five letters. Tom (move) to this town in 1994. My friend (be) in Canada two years ago. I (not / be) to Canada so far. But I (already / travel) to London a couple of times. Last week, Mary and Paul (go) to the cinema. I can't take any pictures because I (not / buy) a new film yet. (they / spend) their holiday in New Zealand last summer? (you / ever / see) a whale? 355 IMAGES How to Keep the Noise Level Down During Independent Work Times Managing noise in the classroom Premium Vector Warning Dont Make Loud Noise Stock Vector (Royalty Free) 1721443579 Do Not Make Noise Sign Vector 31716196 Vector Art at Vecteezy The Benefits Of Homework: How Homework Can Help Students Succeed VIDEO Don't Make Noise or 💀 Don’t Make Noise!!! Don't Make Noise While Mom Is Sleeping Part 1 #shorts #funny #skibiditoilet When am doing my homework with my dad You don't make Noise to create News, make a Move my sister when I am doing my homework COMMENTS How to Study When It's Noisy: Tips to Block Out Noise and Concentrate Here are the best tips that I have found to help you study when it's noisy. To study when it's noisy, you want to…. Avoid the noise by: going to a quiet place. asking people to be quiet. changing when you study. Block out the noise with: earplugs. earmuffs. 26 Habits to Help You Silence Noise and Reclaim Your Focus Joe McCormack says there are some simple changes you can make that will empower you to start managing the noise and taking control of your most precious resource: your attention. These easy, practical, doable tips will help you begin to form the right habits to silence noise and reclaim your long-lost focus and peace. I just cannot focus on my homework, no matter how hard I try ... I just cannot focus on my homework, no matter how hard I try. Any tips? I can't seem to focus on my homework most of the time. The reason I say most of the time is because there are instances where I am completely focused, and able to power through the work with ease. Other times I can't get myself to focus, I get easily distracted, and just can't get myself to finish it. Tenses worksheet 1. Don't disturb me. I am doing my homework. 2. 'Where is John?' 'He went out five minutes ago.' 3. The baby has been crying since morning. 4. My son wants to be a doctor. 3 Ways to Get Homework Done when You Don't Want To If you feel like your work is pointless, make a list of the reasons to do it. [4] Reasons to do homework include: Learning something that will probably help with future assignments, even if you don't know what they are yet. Proving to your teacher that you understand the homework so that they don't keep assigning it over and over. 16 Ways to Concentrate on Your Homework Don't look at how much more you have to do; look at what you've done already, as this will make your assignments seem less daunting. I used to have some trouble focusing on homework because I would always try to watch YouTube while doing it. Noise Distraction Some students struggle to pay attention because small background noises interfere with their concentration. Here is how to avoid noise distractions. Stop wasting time Stop wasting time Listen to the conversation about how to study better and do the exercises to practise and improve your listening skills. Present simple We use the present simple to talk about repeated actions or events, permanent states or things which are always true. To find out more about the present simple, read and listen to the conversation below. Can you give me some examples? How to Do Homework: 15 Expert Tips and Tricks · PrepScholar Struggling with getting motivated to do homework? Or finishing everything on time? No matter your problem, our tips on how to do homework will help. Tips for Fighting Homework Fatigue in 4 Minutes Fight the desire to tackle the assignment later when you're "better rested," because you and I both know that you can conquer this homework assignment now; you just don't want to. How to Focus on Homework: 12 Hacks for Busy Students How do you learn how to focus on homework when there are so many distractions and you're not in the mood? Here are some tips for better study habits. Calm Office The office noise, without the boss yelling at you ;-) While some people have difficulty working in a noisy environment, others feel the opposite. Once you have acquired the ability to concentrate in ambient noise, you may find it surprisingly difficult to work from a quiet home. Here is an interactive sound generator that will allow Teleworkers to create their ideal work ambience! Published by ... Present Continuous or Simple Present verb tenses exercise. An elementary gap filling exercise (15 gaps) Present Continuous OR Simple Present I'm just typing this so it sounds like I'm doing work... Just like I am right now, I'm continuing to type randomly. Not just random keys, because that might sound suspicious. You need to type as you normally do, with short breaks in between words and sentences. By doing this, you can achieve something. My mind is not keeping up with my hands so now the content of my typing is making less sense. Present continuous Exercises: 1 2 3. Present continuous - I'm doing, I'm not doing, Are you doing? Exercise 1. Write positive or negative sentences in present continuous using the verbs in brackets. Use SHORT FORMS when possible. 1 He (save) money because he wants to buy a car. 2 You (not listen) to me. Zero Conditional Exercise 2 1. If I don't do my homework, my teacher (get) angry. 2. I cannot (see) well if I don't have my glasses. 3. If you study hard enough, you (get) very good grades. 4. If somebody makes noise in the library, our teacher (punish) them. 5. How can I study if my family is so loud at home? I say this because I don't think it's 100% fair for your family to compromise their day *every* day because you need to study, do homework, etc. (I say this because I am also a college student and sometimes college work really takes up the majority of my day (i.e. I'm doing, I'm not doing, Are you doing? Present continuous - Form. Download full-size image from Pinterest. We form the present continuous with am/is/are + the -ing form of the verb. I am writing a book. She is listening to the radio. They are doing their homework. The short forms of am/is/are are: 'm/'s/'re. I'm writing a book. She's listening to the radio. Exercises on Simple Past and Present Perfect Exercise 8. Put the verbs into the correct tense (simple past or present perfect simple). I (just / finish) my homework. Mary (already / write) five letters. Tom (move) to this town in 1994. My friend (be) in Canada two years ago. I (not / be) to Canada so far. But I (already / travel) to London a couple of times. assignment essay homework paper phd report resume review thesis