How often do you get “in the zone” during the day? It might happen while gaming, reading a novel or finishing your latest drawing. But when you’re in that mode, you’re so focused that time seems to slip by. If you can relate, you’ve entered the flow state.
What does it mean to be in the flow state? It’s when the activity is so rewarding for your brain it captures your full attention. Not too challenging or too basic, the activity gives your mind peace, control and balanced stimulation. Flow states are also useful for studying since they can help you excel in your coursework.
How to Enter Flow State While Studying
Need some flow state tips? Here are six ideas to help you get there.
1. Set Up Your Environment for Success
To create a positive environment, find a comfortable chair, good lighting and the right room temperature. If you can, find a spot that’s slightly cool rather than too warm. Warm environments can make you feel sluggish, which is the last thing you want when studying.
2. Get Rid of Distractions
What’s the biggest distraction of all? Your phone. To help you foster the right mindset, use blocking apps that set timers for social media and other distractors. Once you know you can’t use your favorite apps, you’ll have less motivation to grab your phone.
3. Create a Goal
Rather than jump right into studying, create a specific, realistic goal to work toward. It might be completing the practice assessment or reviewing two lessons, along with any notes you took. Breaking the task into achievable goals makes it easier to see the end line — and find ways to get there.
4. Give Yourself Enough Time
Achieving a flow state doesn’t happen instantly. To reach a point of deep focus and calm, keep things simple and avoid multitasking. When you focus on more than one task at a time, your mind is pulled in too many directions, making it harder to enter a flow state.
5. Study During Your Peak
You’ll have the best success when you find your peak productivity. For some people, it’s mid-day. Others might get productive bursts in mid-morning and again in mid-afternoon. Your circadian rhythm is often the driver here, with peaks and troughs for when your body wants rest and when it’s ready for action.
Once you know your peak, you can fit it into your calendar and help train your brain for flow state studying.
6. Find the Joy
Not everyone loves studying. To make studying more enjoyable, it helps to find the joy within the task. You might create learning games, reward yourself for achieving key goals or use fun stories to connect concepts. Or, you could use mnemonics or flashcards with silly images or boost your mood with music.
Virtual Learning and Your Career Goals
Knowing how to enter the flow state while studying starts with MedCerts. Engaging material, practical assessments and interactive lessons prime you for the certifications and study prep you need to reach your career goals. When you love what you’re learning, it’s that much easier to activate your brain for study time.
