“Flow” is a term you may have heard floating around in conversations with peers or on social media, but may not know the full meaning of. In short, “flow” describes the mental state of being completely absorbed by an activity. You’re focused and present, harnessing your energy for a particular task (and not realizing that 2 hours have slipped away since you looked at the clock). A state of flow can happen with all types of activities, like writing a paper on a topic you feel passionate about, or playing Ultimate Frisbee with your friends. You can consciously place yourself in a state of flow, too, whenever you’re engaging in something that is challenging, like learning a new educational concept or taking part in a campus-wide race. The more you access your flow, the more productive you can be. You will get that history report done much faster than if you struggled through it feeling unfocused.
To usher in a state of flow, minimize distractions. For example, if you’re trying to focus your attention on homework, wear headphones, set a timer, and turn off other electronics. It may also help to sit in an area without a window or other people around to attract your attention.