The world of college life is certainly inseparable from the packed schedules that constantly accompany our daily lives as students. From mandatory lectures to various organizational activities we undertake, these things can certainly present a challenge for a student.

One of the aspects we must manage in the college world is focus. Good focus can not only maintain optimal performance but also increase overall productivity. A decrease in focus resulting from burnout, repetitive activities, or too many thoughts being bottled up will reduce the quality of performance and the desire to learn.

Given that the priority of performance and interest in learning are key aspects in the world of education and are also an obligation for a student, here are some tips that UNDIRA friends can do to maintain focus amid the busyness of college life:

1. Create Your Ideal Focus Space

The environment greatly influences the ability to focus. For UNDIRA friends who may want to focus on completing assignments or designing activity reports, a focus zone is one of the keys that helps you complete tasks better.

Although a focus space here refers to how we look for an environment that allows us to exert maximum focus, it also centers on how we create a comfortable situation to complete a task. Using earphones or playing appropriate music can increase work consistency while muffling distractions that might impact our focus.

2. Implement a Time Schedule That Matches Your Priorities

Focus is not about working non-stop, but about working on only one thing at a predetermined time. The Time Blocking technique, or what is commonly known as a to-do list, is one of the most effective time management methods.

In addition, by implementing a time schedule, UNDIRA friends can also recall various activities that can be focused on and tackled gradually over time. In the long run, if this technique is applied regularly, your focus will remain maintained amid any busyness with the adjusted time schedule.

3. Apply the Pomodoro Technique

Sometimes, in order to meet targets or load various schedules on the same day, our minds will gradually be split into several segments to maximize multitasking. But without realizing it, multitasking will affect our focus on completing the one task that should be our priority. The Pomodoro Technique is a very effective solution to overcome this problem.

The Pomodoro Technique works by breaking your work time into short intervals, typically 25 minutes of full focus followed by a short 5-minute break. This way, you train your brain to commit to only one task for 25 minutes without interruption, thereby improving prolonged focus.

4. Use the "One Day, One Task" Principle

One of the main reasons we feel overwhelmed is the endless to-do list. To break this deadlock, especially when working on a Thesis or final project that tends to take a long time, identify the Single Most Important Task you need to complete that day.

Managing an overly busy mind is a skill, not an innate trait. With consistency in applying the four tips above, you, UNDIRA friends, will be able to conquer the pile of assignments, complete your thesis on time, and of course, graduate with the best results.

(Danang Respati Wicaksono / Humas UNDIRA)