How to Concentrate on Studies?
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Do you often find yourself lost and keep getting distracted whenever you sit down to study? Is it difficult for you to focus on your studies during exams? And finally, are you wondering how to concentrate on studies for long hours? Read this article to find effective ways of increasing focus and concentration while studying.
Everyone, at least once in their lives, finds it difficult to focus on their studies. And it is evidently the case with students studying abroad nowadays. While some students may find it difficult to study due to exam anxiety, others may find it difficult to focus due to overcoming a recent trauma. This blog dives into research-backed strategies on how to concentrate on studies in different situations such as - how to concentrate on studies before exam, how to concentrate on studies one day before exam and how to concentrate on studies after breakup.
Related Articles on Studying Abroad:
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- How to Study Longer and Smarter for International Students?
Understanding Concentration
What is Concentration? An integral component of studying is concentration, meaning (verb) focusing all your attention on one task. Concentration on studies means putting all your collective mental abilities and focus in one direction, i.e. studying. “Concentration” is sometimes confused with “attention span”. Attention span is simply the amount of time you put into concentrating on some work and differs entirely from concentration meaning. While a student can sit on studying for long hours at a stretch, lack of concentration can lead to no learning acquired at all. For a good and effective studying session, concentration and focus on the topic are essential.
Learning About the Science Behind Focus and Distractions
Once you know the science on how to concentrate on your studies more, you will be able to pro your studying game more effectively. Let us briefly learn the science behind focus and how do distractions affect your focus while studying or performing an important task. The prefrontal cortex (your brain's CEO) governs attention, planning, and decision-making. Distractions hijack this region, scattering your thoughts like leaves in a storm. However, beyond the prefrontal cortex (PFC), neurotransmitters like dopamine and acetylcholine play crucial roles in focus. Distractions disrupt their production, leading to scattered thoughts and decreased concentration and focus. A 2023 study published in Nature Neuroscience found that targeted brain stimulation to boost dopamine levels improved sustained attention in participants.
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Factors and Conditions Affecting Concentration Power During Studies
Let us understand some research-backed distracting habits that do not let you focus on your studies 100% . Once you get through these hurdles, you will be better able to deduce on how to focus on studies more.
- Social media: Studies show that checking our social media or mobile notifications reduces cognitive performance and increases stress. A 2022 University of Chicago study revealed that heavy social media users reported lower grades and higher levels of anxiety and depression. Another 2015 study published in Computers in Human Behavior found that checking social media notifications every 2 minutes reduced task accuracy by 20%.
- Multitasking: Multitasking is a myth. Our brains cannot truly handle multiple tasks simultaneously, leading to errors and decreased efficiency. Stanford researchers found that students who multitasked with technology scored 20% lower on tests than those who focused on a single task. Alongside, a 2019 study in PLOS One showed that multitasking led to increased errors and decreased cognitive efficiency.
- Messy environment: Clutter bombards your visual cortex, vying for attention and draining mental resources. A Cornell University study showed that cluttered rooms led to increased procrastination and decreased productivity. Another 2011 study in the Journal of Environmental Psychology found that cluttered environments can impair concentration.
- Distracting thoughts and feelings: Very often we tend to ignore our inner feelings that need our immediate attention. By failing to address these feelings, we often get straining thoughts that take a fair portion of our attention span while performing any task such as studying.
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Tips to Concentrate on Studies for Long Hours
Here are some of the best-proven ways to concentrate on your studies. Do check out and practice with yourselves.
1. Address the “Whys”
- Remember your goals: Connect your studies to your long-term goals and interests.
- A little introspection may help: Ask yourself questions like why is it that you want to study your subject for the longer term. And why studying is so important for you. This fuels intrinsic motivation, making studying more engaging.
2. Minimise Digital Distractions
- Silence your mobile notifications: Put your phone on silent or airplane mode occasionally while studying, or use focus apps that block distracting websites. You can also leverage the “Zen mode” feature available in some smartphones that help you to take out some dedicated time to yourself. A 2021 University of Kent study demonstrated that turning off notifications for just 60 minutes improved working memory and reduced stress.
- Embrace boredom: Short bursts of "offline" time train your brain to resist distraction and improve focus. You can also practice uninstalling some apps that drain most of your time and re-install them again once you are done with your important focus-demanding tasks.
3. Music and Meditation
- Listen to Music: Listen to instrumental or nature music to enhance a focused attention snap. Avoid lyrical music as it can make you wander in your thoughts and you will find yourself sailing the boat to the sea of distraction in no time.
- Try yoga for mindfulness: Briefly introduce mindfulness techniques into your routine and experience their potential benefits for concentration. Take a few minutes for deep breathing or meditation to clear your mind and reduce stress
4. Create a Favourable Study Atmosphere
- Declutter your study space: Remove visual clutter and organise materials. Studies have it that an untidy room can keep your brain busy with “instant call-to-action” thoughts, disabling your need to focus on the other urgent tasks. A clean space equals a clear mind.
- Optimise lighting: Natural light is ideal for studying, but avoid harsh overhead bulbs. Soft and warm lighting promotes relaxation. A 2018 study in Environment and Behavior found that natural light exposure improved cognitive performance and reduced fatigue.
- Temperature matters: Aim for a slightly cool temperature (around 20°C) for optimal alertness and focus. The point here is that the temperature of your room should neither be too high - to make you feel uncomfortable while studying nor be too low - to make you feel drowsy at all.
5. Set Realistic Goals
- Create a study plan: Break down your long study tasks into manageable small pieces of learning chunks and schedule a learning routine using a planner or calendar app. A 2020 study in Educational Psychology Review showed that using a planner led to improved academic performance and reduced stress.
- Pomodoro Power: The Pomodoro Technique is an effective time-management technique. Use the Pomodoro Technique to work in focused 25-minute intervals with short 5-minute breaks in between.
- Match your rhythm: Are you a morning lark or a night owl? When is the time when you are in your most active state? Schedule demanding tasks when you're most alert.
6. Fuel Your Focus
- Hydration is key: Dehydration zaps cognitive function. Aim for drinking 8 glasses of water daily.
- Brain food matters: Choose a nutrient-rich diet and replace your regular snacks with healthier options like nuts, fruits, and yoghurt over sugary treats. A 2019 study in Nutrients found that consuming omega-3 fatty acids improved cognitive function and memory.
- Move your body: Take short breaks, short breaks (5-10 minutes) help you refocus and return to studying with renewed energy. During breaks, move your body! Do some jumping jacks, go for a walk, or stretch. Exercise boosts blood flow to the brain, enhancing focus and memory. You can also take short walks or stretches during breaks.
7. Additional Tips
- Find a study buddy: Find study partners who share your goals or join a study group. Group studies help us to engage in discussions with diverse opinions, we can also leverage ourselves with different learning techniques followed by different members in the group. However, group studies also ensure more productivity and less distraction (due to scattered thoughts) when all of the group participants share a common goal.
- Seek help: Reach out to academic resources or tutors if needed.
How to Concentrate on Studies for Exams?
One can boost their concentration on studies by following the above practices. By avoiding distractions, freeing your mind of distracting thoughts and decluttering your studying space, you can ensure an engaging studying time.
How to Concentrate on Studies One Day Before Exam?
- Focus on Review, Not Cramming: Don't overload your brain with vast amounts of new information on the day before your exam. Review familiar concepts, clarify doubts, and practice key questions.
- Visualise Success: Imagine yourself calmly and confidently approaching the exam centre, focusing on solutions rather than anxiety.
- Pack Smart: Prepare all necessary materials (pens, pencils, calculator, etc.) well in advance and pack a healthy snack and water bottle to avoid unnecessary stress during the exam.
- Get a Good Night's Sleep: Prioritise a full night's sleep (7-8 hours) to allow your brain to consolidate information and wake up feeling refreshed and ready to perform.
Remember: Focus is a skill that improves with practice. Be patient, experiment with different strategies, and don't hesitate to seek support from teachers, tutors, or friends. With dedication and the right approach, you can achieve peak exam performance and ace your goals!
Case Study
The Challenge: Sarah, a bright and ambitious college student, found herself struggling to focus on her studies. Distractions lurked everywhere - her buzzing phone, cluttered desk, and the constant temptation of social media. This resulted in procrastination, anxiety, and ultimately, slipping grades. Determined to improve her academic performance, Sarah embarked on a mission to conquer her attention woes.
The Strategies:
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Taming the Tech Tiger: Sarah knew her phone was a major culprit. She downloaded a focus app that blocked distracting websites and silenced notifications during study sessions. Additionally, she scheduled specific times for checking social media, reducing its disruptive influence.
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Crafting a Calming Haven: Sarah transformed her messy desk into an organised oasis. She removed clutter, invested in a comfortable chair, and utilised natural light whenever possible. She also experimented with soft lighting for evening sessions, finding it helped her relax and concentrate.
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Scheduling Success: Sarah ditched the chaotic approach and embraced a structured schedule. She used a planner to break down tasks into manageable chunks and employed the Pomodoro Technique, working in focused 25-minute intervals with short breaks to maintain concentration and avoid burnout.
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Befriending Breaks: Instead of powering through long study sessions, Sarah integrated short breaks into her schedule. During these breaks, she practised deep breathing exercises, went for quick walks, or stretched, allowing her to return to her studies refreshed and refocused.
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Seeking Support: Recognising the value of social support, Sarah joined a study group with like-minded peers. This group provided a motivating environment for focused study, accountability, and valuable peer-to-peer learning experiences.
The Results: Over time, Sarah's efforts paid off. By actively managing distractions, structuring her studying, and incorporating self-care breaks, she experienced a significant improvement in her focus and attention. Her grades started rising, and she felt more confident and in control of her academic journey.
This was all about how to increase your focus and concentration on your studies. If you have any further queries, do reach out to us in the comments below. If you want to study abroad, then you can get assistance from Shiksha Counselling Services for free.
How to Concentrate on Studies FAQs
Q. I want to study but I can’t focus. How to focus on studies?
A. It's completely okay to feel like you can't focus on studying sometimes. Distractions are everywhere, and even the most motivated student can struggle to stick to their tasks due to distractions. But fear not, there are strategies you can use to regain your focus and get back on track!
If you want to study but cannot focus, here are some tips to help you increase focus on your studies:
- Silence distractions: Silence your phone, find a quiet space, and let others know you are studying. This may enforce a positive and cooperative environment by others helping you to focus even better.
- Structure your time: Set small goals, use the Pomodoro Technique (25 min work, 5 min break), and schedule study sessions.
- Optimise your environment: Practice optimising your study atmosphere - aim for natural light, cool temp, healthy snacks & water, breaks with movement & deep breaths, and prioritise sleep.
- Regain focus: Try mindfulness meditation, focus music Nature or instrumental music), or change your study spot.
- Bonus Tip: Identify your distractions (get over your underlying thoughts, finish other priority tasks), reward yourself (feel good every time you finish a chapter or score well in tests and exams - share your experiences with people for an extended sense of achievement), and seek help if needed.
Remember, focus is a skill, keep practising! You got this!
Q. How to concentrate on studies after breakup?
A. Breakups can definitely throw your focus off but remember you are not alone, and there are ways to get back on track with your studies. Here are some helpful tips to focus on your studies after a breakup:
- Acknowledge your feelings: Don't bottle up emotions. Talk to a friend, family member, or therapist, or write down your feelings. Processing your emotions can help you start healing better and regain clarity. Remember, you cannot focus on your studies if your underlying thoughts of your recent trauma (breakup) keep coming up in your mind during study hours. So, it's required that you address and accept your feelings first and then regain your focus on your studies.
- Minimise distractions: Silence your phone notifications, create a calm study space, and let others know you need quiet time.
- Create a schedule: Break down your studying into manageable time chunks using the Pomodoro Technique (25-minute study with short 5-minute breaks). Having a clear plan helps maintain focus.
- Self-care matters: Prioritise sleep, eat healthy, and get some exercise. Taking care of yourself physically and mentally builds resilience and improves concentration. A healthy mind ensures longer retention of the concepts and you can do more in less time.
- Minimise reminders: Avoid places, music, or activities heavily associated with your past relationship.
- Reward yourself: Celebrate milestones and achievements, even small ones, to stay motivated.
Remember, healing takes time, so be patient with yourself. Focus on progress, not perfection. Good luck!
Q. How to concentrate on studies in hostel?
A. Focusing on your studies in hostel can be difficult especially when there is no one around to push you towards your goals. In that case, you have to be your own motivator and torch-bearer. Hostel life can be noisy and filled with distractions, but focus is possible. Here are some tips to focus on your studies in a hostel:
- Silence your distractions: Turn off unnecessary notifications on your mobile phone, use focus apps (like - Forest, Focus, Brainfm, Noisli, Freedom, Focus Keeper and LeechBlock) and schedule occasional social media breaks.
- Chill your space: Declutter your room, keep stuff organised and your study table clean. Use natural & soft lighting, and keep a cool temp.
- Plan & schedule: Set realistic goals, use the Pomodoro Technique (25/5 work/break), and study when you're most alert.
- Take breaks: Move around, breathe deeply, and connect with study buddies outside your room.
- Hostel hacks: Communicate with roommates, use quiet common areas, and join study groups. Move to library if you cannot find a quiet place to study in the hostel.
- Make Notes: Practice making notes, make short bullet points for every topic which will help you to remember the topic more effectively and you can even revise it before the exam, in a shorter period. Be patient, experiment, and you will conquer those textbooks.
Q. How can I focus 100% on studies?
A. To maintain your focus 100% on your studies, you will need to make some preparations. Even though 100% focus is tough, you can aim for a high attention span. Here is what you can do to increase your focus and concentration on studies:
- First of all - answer all your "Why" and "How" questions. Ask yourself - why you want to focus more and what you will gain out of it and secondly, ask the other important question - how you are going to do it. A little clarity on these questions can help you win in the long game.
- In the next complementary steps, get rid of your distractions (silent notifications, find a silent spot and address your underlying thoughts), and distribute your larger study goal into small manageable goals. Accomplishing these small goals will give you a repeated sense of achievement and success which will motivate you to achieve more.
- Seek help from your seniors and mentors. Discuss important topics and give less time to topics that have less weightage.
- Make crisp notes of important topics, you cannot read the entire book every time before your exam. This is especially true when you progress in your class and the number of topics keeps increasing, so you have to study more in less time.
- Take good care of yourself - drink plenty of water, and eat raw fruits and vegetables. Avoid heavy and junk food that can keep you low on energy.
- Exercise and meditate at least 4 days a weak. These are the simplest and yet the most effective ways to keep your mind and mosy in their best self.
Q. Why can’t I focus 100% on my studies?
A. It's understandable to feel like you can't focus 100% on studying – aiming for perfection can be stressful and even counterproductive. Several factors can contribute to difficulty in focusing such as sleep deprivation, stress and anxiety, underlying health conditions and unrealistic expectations of self. Remember, it takes practice and effort to improve. Figure out what specifically distracts or demotivates you. As different strategies work for different people, talk to advisors, tutors, or counsellors for support.
With the right approach and self-compassion, you can significantly improve your study focus and achieve your academic goals.
Q: How can I concentrate on my studies?
A. Here are some tips you can use to increase focus and concentration in your studies:
Tame the Tech Tiger:
- Silence: Use airplane mode & focus apps to block distractions.
- Schedule social media: Dedicate specific times to social media, and avoid mid-study scrolling.
- Headphones: Block noise or use calming music. Too loud and lyrical music can make your mind wander into another world while studying, leading to shared/broken focus.
Craft a Calming Haven:
- Declutter: Clear your space, out with the visual chaos!
- Lighting: Natural light for alertness in the daytime, soft lamp for evenings.
- Cool vibes: Aim for around 68°F (20 °C) for optimal focus.
Schedule Success:
- Plan & chunk: Break down tasks, and use a planner/calendar app.
- Pomodoro Power: Study in 25-minute intervals with short 5-minute breaks.
- Align with your rhythm: Study when you're most alert (morning lark or night owl?).
Befriend Breaks:
- Short & sweet: Take 5-10 minute breaks to refocus and avoid burnout.
- Move & breathe: Get up, stretch, practice calming breaths.
- Connect with buddies: Share breaks with focused friends, and stay on track.
Bonus Hostel Hacks:
- Communicate: Discuss quiet times with roommates, and respect each other.
- Quiet spaces: Utilise common areas like libraries or study rooms.
- Study groups: Find peers for support and shared accountability.
Remember, focus is a skill, experiment and find what works, and seek help if needed.
Priya Garg is a seasoned content writer and editor. With her rich experience in content writing, teaching and research & analysis, Priya believes in providing only the correct information which is also up-to-date. H... Read Full Bio
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