How to Focus on School and Studying When the Kids Are in Bed

Earning a degree as an adult learner is a great way to expand your career options or advance your current career. When you have kids at home, though, being able to focus on school can be difficult. Quiet times might be rare in your home, so you’re likely better off turning your attention to school when the kids are in bed for the night. Building good study habits to use during these times can help you succeed at learning.

12 Tips for Staying Focused

To do well in school, students of all ages need to be able to focus. When you’re an adult learner with kids, being able to do this can be even more challenging. These tips can help you make the most of quiet evenings and nights in your home, so you can have an effective study session.

1. Establish Clear Goals

Having vague or general goals for school, such as earning your degree, can make it hard to stay focused and motivated. Instead, try setting smaller and clearer school or study goals that you can work on as you go through your degree program. For example, you might set a goal to achieve a certain minimum GPA this semester or spend a certain number of hours studying for an upcoming exam.

2. Stick to Your Study Schedule

Creating a study schedule is an effective way to help your brain stay focused on school. Set up a study schedule that provides you with enough time to go over material from classes, work on assignments, and handle any other school-related tasks you have on your to-do list. You might divide your schedule up into different times for different classes to help you stay focused on each class. Make sure your study schedule also includes breaks to give your brain a rest from time to time.

3. Create a Good Study Environment

Setting up the right environment for studying can go a long way toward helping you stay focused on school while your kids are asleep. Your study environment should be a quiet place with a comfortable chair or seating that allows you to sit up straight, which can help keep your energy levels up. Your study environment should also have space for your laptop and any other school supplies you need. If you need a little background noise, turn on a fan or quiet music to help you focus.

4. Have a Study Ritual

Study rituals can get your brain used to focusing on school at certain times. Your study ritual might be a short walk outside to clear your head, or you might do a short meditation session before diving into schoolwork. When you get into the habit of doing a study ritual, this helps your brain learn when it’s time to shift focus to your studies for the night.

5. Block Out Digital Distractions

Your phone or tablet can provide you with distractions that prevent you from being able to focus on your schoolwork. You might be tempted to check your phone right away when you get a text message or other constant notifications, for example. Shutting these off while studying or making use of site blockers to stop you from visiting distracting sites can help cut down on distractions. Putting your phone or tablet in another room or part of your home is an even better way to focus during study time.

6. Keep Track of What You Have Completed

Keeping close track of goals and other achievements can help you stay motivated while you’re trying to focus on schoolwork. You’ll also be able to see how much progress you’ve made toward both short and long-term goals. While grabbing some coffee for your studying time, make a list of tasks you’ve completed for the day. You can do this on a daily basis or a few times a week if that works better for you.

7. Share Your Schedule with Others

When you create a study schedule, you might have trouble sticking to it. Sharing your schedule with other people, such as family or friends, can help you stay accountable. When you’re aware that others know your schedule, you’re more likely to make an effort to follow it. Sharing your study schedule with family members in your home can also help ensure they know when you plan on studying, so they can keep noise and other distractions down.

8. Try the Pomodoro Technique

The Pomodoro Technique can be a highly effective way to stay focused on school tasks while your kids are in bed. This technique involves setting a timer for a certain amount of time, such as 25 minutes. When the timer starts, begin working on one school-related task, such as studying for a test or doing an assignment. When the timer stops, take a short 5-minute break. During your break, you can walk around, stretch, or even get a glass of water. The Pomodoro Technique is based on the fact that taking short breaks between tasks can help you concentrate better.

9. Exercise During the Day

Regular exercise is important for your brain and body. You should avoid exercising later in the day, since this can make it hard to get to sleep. Instead, plan on exercising earlier in the day. You can do a workout routine with different sets of exercises, but this isn’t the only way to get physical activity. You can go walking or even dance around your home to get your heart pumping and blood flowing. Doing this can reduce stress and anxiety, which can affect cognitive function and concentration abilities.

10. Use Tools for Task Management

Using apps or other software can help you manage all the tasks you need to complete for school. Depending on goals and tasks, you might use a digital academic planner to keep track of assignments, or you might use an app that functions as a digital to-do list. These tools can make it much easier for you to stay organized, so you can focus on studying and doing other schoolwork.

11. Take a Day Off to Spend with Family

While it’s important to focus on your studies, taking breaks is just as essential for academic success and your own well-being. Take breaks, such as an entire day off, to spend time with your family. You might get caught up in schoolwork, especially if you have a large project to work on or upcoming exams to study for. To prevent burnout or extreme stress, step away from schoolwork from time to time and focus on spending quality time with your loved ones.

12. Prioritize Sleep

No matter how good your study habits are, you won’t be able to focus well if your brain is tired. Sleep should be a priority at all times for your health and well-being, but especially when you’re busy juggling parenting responsibilities and school. Make sure you go to bed and wake up around the same time, and put your phone and other screens away before bedtime. Keep your bedroom quiet and cool so you can enjoy a good night’s sleep.

Start Your Journey Today

If you’re looking into options for healthcare degree programs, contact Bryant & Stratton College today to request information. We offer several degree programs to choose from based on your career interests.