There are MANY reasons you might have a difficult time focusing while studying or when you are taking an exam. Perhaps you have been diagnosed with a condition such as ADD or ADHD, or maybe you study for LONG periods of time without breaks. No matter the reason you have a hard time focusing, one thing that can help everyone is being more mindful. What does it mean to be mindful? It means to be fully present, noticing what is going on in our space and our bodies, and to be content, not overwhelmed, with our observations. The more you are in the present moment, the easier it is to be focused on what is in front of you.

The more that you interact with the test, the easier it will be to stay in the present moment. So cross answers off! Use the annotation tool! Use your note sheet!  

Brain Break It might sound counterintuitive, but to help with focus, you need to make sure that you are giving your brain a “break” about every 30 minutes. Below are some ideas for brain breaks. Try some out, write them down, and use them!