Recalibrating My Focus

Posted March 23, 2026 by Emmy Mahoney

Hey everyone! It is always so hard to believe how fast a semester flies by. Now past the halfway point, assignments are piling up and the end of the semester is rapidly approaching, but my focus seems to be elsewhere. Here are some of my favorite strategies to help myself get back on track. 

Listening to music is a tried and true focus strategy. I love to listen to music, but when my study playlists and Lofi Girl no longer do the trick, I like to switch things up. Classical music, video game music, and music in another language always seem to bring the energy back into my study sessions. 

Going outside is another really great strategy for getting myself back on track. With the weather warming up, even just a little sun on my face can do the trick. If that does not seem to be enough, going on frequent and short walks can also be very helpful. Having just a bit of fresh air and movement always seems to sharpen my focus. 

My final tip for this post is about limiting distractions, specifically from your phone. Some days, this is as simple as putting my phone on Do Not Disturb or putting it in another room. When I am really struggling to focus, it means using a study app like Forest, which grows a virtual tree if I do not unlock my phone for a certain amount of time. Taking a break from my devices always makes my study sessions more productive. 

In the middle of the semester, it can often feel like you are losing steam. Trying new focus strategies, or revisiting old ones can reinvigorate your studies.