Unleashing Your Student's Focus: 10 Game-Changing Strategies for Learning Coaches and Tutors

Many students face challenges with motivation and focus, especially when Mondays roll around or when their routine feels stale. As learning coaches and tutors, it's essential to have practical strategies ready to help your students snap out of this rut and tap into their full potential. Here are ten effective strategies to elevate focus and combat distractions in learning.

1. Change the Environment (Top Pick for Quick Fix)

Sometimes, a new setting can spark creativity and focus. Encourage your students to mix up their study locations. Instead of sitting in their usual spot, they might try:

• An outside setting: Fresh air and nature can improve mood and focus. Spending 10 to 20 minutes studying outdoors can provide a much-needed reset. If going outside isn't possible, simply sitting by an open window can yield similar benefits.

• Same environment; different affect: A study area feels overcrowded and chaotic may be a culprit of distraction. More orderly environment enhances self-regulatory behavior and cognitive performance, which may translate into significant improvements in focus up to a 25%. When you can't fully change spaces, tidying up, especially around your desk, can make a difference improving focus. (Vohs, Redden, and Rahinel., 2013)

  
  

Different environments can strongly influence a student's mindset. For example, studies done that working in a space with more natural light can increase productivity by about 15%. (Heschong Mahone Group., 2002)

A calm study environment filled with plants and natural light.

2. Take a Movement Break

Physical activity can be a powerful tool to boost focus. Encourage students to take short breaks for stretching or walking. Benefits include:

• Increased blood flow: Movement promotes blood circulation and delivers more oxygen to the brain, which can significantly enhance cognitive function.

• Mood boost: Even a short desk exercise can increase endorphins, leading to improved mood and focus. Try the Flying High Kick Lifts:

  Here are the steps to perform this exercise:

  1. Start Position: In a chair, sit up with your back straight and feet flat on the floor and plenty of room to extend both legs in front.

  2. Engage Your Focus: Take 3 deep breaths slowly counting "1 - 2 - 3".

  3. Lift One Leg: Extend one leg straight out in front of you, keeping it parallel to the floor. Hold for a moment.

  4. Lower the Leg: Slowly lower your leg back to the starting position without letting your foot touch the floor.

  5. Repeat: Perform 10-15 repetitions on one leg before switching to the other leg.

  6. Kick out the silliness: Do one more reptation for each leg on super silly fast mode! Be safe but be sure to drain some scatterbrain pent up energy.

  7. Finish with mindfulness: Finish off by taking 3 deep breaths slowly counting "1 - 2 - 3".

  
  

Encouraging a habit of mixing short bursts of exercise into study periods can significantly improve on-task behavior among students. (Mahar et al., 2006).

Stay proactive and steer clear of a focus crisis

Consider these strategies to maintain consistent focus throughout the week:

3. Establish a Routine

Creating a consistent learning routine is crucial for students. When students have a predictable schedule, their brains become conditioned to focus during study times, reducing anxiety. A well-structured routine can include:

• Set study hours: Encourage students to dedicate specific times in their daily schedules strictly for study, similar to a regular class.

• Incorporate breaks: For every hour of study, recommend a 10-minute break to recharge. Research shows that regular breaks can boost overall productivity by up to 25%. (Draugiem Group., 2014)

  
  

A clear routine helps students know what to expect, allowing them to approach their work with confidence and clarity.

4. Practice Mindfulness

Incorporating mindfulness exercises can significantly center students’ thoughts. Simple breathing techniques or guided meditations can effectively reduce anxiety and enhance focus.

Dedicate a few minutes before lessons to lead students in mindful practices. For instance, the simplicity of taking three deep intentional breaths can calm the nervous system, allowing them to concentrate better as the lesson begins. (Brown & Gerbarg, 2005).

5. Limit Distractions

Identify distractions in your students’ environments that may hinder their focus. Common distractions include noise, clutter, and electronic devices like phones and tablets.

Set a “no-phone” policy during study time to avoid interruptions. Fostering a focused atmosphere can make a significant impact on learning outcomes.

6. Utilize Focus Music

It is understandable that while learning at home, students may experience days when distractions cannot be avoided. Encourage students to listen to instrumental music or nature sounds during study sessions to allow them to focus on a specific sound in effect drowning out distractions. Certain types of music create a conducive learning atmosphere. For instance:

• Lo-fi beats: Smooth and steady, often enhancing concentration without distracting lyrics.

• Nature sounds: The calming sound of rain or ocean waves can mask background noise and help students find their focus.

• Solfeggio frequencies and Binaural beats: Studies investigating soundwave therapies such as Solfeggio frequencies and binaural beats, found these have the potential to enhance concentration performance in certain tasks by influencing brainwave patterns and may have benefits for enhancing concentration (Hsieh & Zheng, 2012).

  
  

Using music and sound designed for concentration can allow students to settle into their work, fostering deeper engagement.

7. Healthy Snacking

The brain requires the right fuel to function efficiently. Recommend nutritious snacks for studying, such as:

• Fruits: Like bananas or apples, which provide quick energy and natural sugars.

• Nuts: High in healthy fats and protein to sustain energy levels.

  
  

By steering students away from sugary snacks that can lead to energy crashes, you help them maintain focus and productivity. Providing data on food's impact can motivate them to make better choices.

A colorful bowl of fruits ideal for healthy snacking during study breaks.

8. Set Realistic Goals

Breaking lessons into smaller, manageable goals can significantly improve focus and motivation. For instance, instead of setting a vague goal to “study math,” frame it as “complete 10 practice problems on fractions.”

This method provides a sense of accomplishment that motivates students to tackle more challenging subjects. Research indicates that setting clear, realistic goals can improve task performance by as much as 30%.

9. Implement the Pomodoro Technique

This effective time management strategy developed by Francesco Cirillo, involves studying in intervals, typically 25 minutes of focused work followed by a five-minute break. By adopting the Pomodoro Technique, students can:

• Stay engaged: This method can keep motivation high, reducing burnout.

• Maximize productivity: Studies show that work structured this way can enhance focus by about 40%.

  
  

This technique allows students to manage their time better, making their study sessions more productive. Read more in-depth explaination and anylsis of the Pomodoro Technique here: https://francescocirillo.com/pages/pomodoro-technique

10. Encourage Self-Reflection

After study sessions, invite students to reflect on their experiences. This practice can foster a growth mindset and lead to the development of effective studying strategies. Encourage them to ask themselves questions like:

• “What strategies helped me focus today?”

• “What distractions affected my study time?”

  
  

Articulating their thoughts reinforces their commitment to self-improvement and enhances their learning experience.

Final Thoughts

Maintaining focus is a common struggle for students and learning coaches alike. By implementing these ten strategies, you can empower students to overcome their distractions and cultivate a more focused learning environment. Tailor these techniques to fit individual student needs, allowing them to discover what works best for them. With consistent practice and a supportive atmosphere, your students can unlock their potential and thrive in their academic pursuits.

Whether you are looking for a regular daytime learning environment or personalized tutoring, Rillera Family Learning Coaches has you covered. Take the first step towards academic success and connect with Rillera Family Learning Coaches today.

Schedule a Consultation Now

References:

Brown, R. P., & Gerbarg, P. L. (2005). Sudarshan Kriya yogic breathing in the treatment of stress, anxiety, and depression: Part I—Neurophysiologic model. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 11(1), 189–201.

Draugiem Group. (2014). The productivity habits of highly effective employees. Retrieved from https://www.draugiemgroup.com/blog/the-productivity-habits-of-highly-effective-employees

Heschong Mahone Group. (2002). Windows and offices: A study of the impact of daylight on office productivity. Heschong Mahone Group.

Hsieh, S., & Zheng, Z. (2012). The effect of binaural beats on concentration: A randomized controlled trial. International Journal of Neuroscience, 122(9), 505–511.

Mahar, M. T., Murphy, S. K., Rowe, D. A., Golden, J., Shields, A. T., & Raedeke, T. D. (2006). Effects of a classroom-based program on physical activity and on-task behavior. Journal of School Health, 76(8), 412–417.