It was called “Student Central,” the platform where all the University students received their grades.
I was having the best summer holidays of my life. I was in love and uncaring about anything or anyone else.
When I logged on to Student Central that day, I did it with confidence I had no business possessing. I wasn’t a failure. I was an exemplary student (always was) right from primary school to high school. So, I believed I had nothing to fear.
But when I scrolled down the page to where my grades sat, my lungs almost collapsed. A big red FAIL sat next to one of my courses. I didn’t even get a “SUPP” (a re-do of the paper). I had just failed outright.
My university timeline was going to be pushed forward another year.
That day, I felt the pain of regret. I knew I hadn’t studied hard enough for that paper because my focus had been scattered during the last six months.
Fortunately, I came out of this experience wiser and stronger. I finally learned how to concentrate on studying.
In this article, I’ll share the 10 techniques I learned to improve concentration. If you apply these methods, you won’t end up like 18-year-old me who delayed her graduation by a year.
Table of Contents
How to Concentrate on Studying: 10 Ways
1. Create a Designated Study Nook
We all have certain locations that put us in working mode. It may be a favorite corner of the library, your desk at home, or a quiet coffee shop.
The key is to identify a spot that you associate only with hitting the books — not checking social media or lazing around. This location should be a physical trigger to get your brain prepped for focus.
Aim to create a relatively quiet space, free from distractions and only used for studying. This should be “your spot” when it’s time to cram for that chem test or finish your lab report.
Also, light some candles, decorate it with motivational quotes, and play focus-boosting nature sounds — basically, whatever rituals tell your mind it’s time to concentrate.
Over time, simply being in your special study zone will trigger increased alertness and prime you to absorb information more effectively.
Related Post: Why Is Studying So Hard? 5 Main Reasons and How to Make it Easier
2. Clear Distractions
Our gadgets and devices are probably the biggest enemies of effective concentration while studying. How can anyone focus with a phone buzzing every minute or interesting websites just a click away? Even having these distractions in your line of vision can break your focus.
The 18-year-old me used to be chained to her phone. After failing, I made it my life’s mission to stay away from social media, and that’s when I first deleted my Facebook account and closed off the temptation to join Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok.
If you’re still on social media, make sure to turn your phone completely off (not just on silent) and physically put it in another room.
On your computer, close any apps, windows, or tabs not directly needed for your studying tasks. As an extra measure, you can log out of your social media accounts and email to avoid the temptation to “just quickly check.”
Related Post: How to Study Consistently in 2024: 9 Tips for Success
3. Use the Pomodoro Technique
Ever notice how you can concentrate well for a short period, but your mind eventually gets tired, no matter how interested you are? This issue is precisely why the popular “Pomodoro technique” was created.
The process is simple: you set a timer for 25 minutes and study intently during that period. When the timer goes off, you then take a 5-minute break before starting another focused 25-minute session. This timeline aligns with how long humans can maintain concentration before needing rest.
The short breaks act as mental cleansers to refresh alertness so you can tackle the next studying period. Plus, knowing a break is coming makes it easier to fully zero in for those 25-minute intense work sprints.
However, the timings of 25 and 5 minutes are not set in stone, though this tends to be the sweet spot. You can always try shorter or longer increments to match your needs.
4. Tune Into Concentration-Boosting Music
You already know that music can impact your mood, motivation, and focus. Upbeat songs usually give us more energy, while calming music promotes relaxation. However, studies show that we can strategically use music to enhance our concentration as well.
When studying, choose lyric-free music genres like classical, electronica, or ambient noise. This is because lyrics naturally capture our attention as we try listening to the words, which diverts focus.
Beyond genre and lyrics, adjust the volume to a moderately quiet level. Music that is too loud or varies dramatically in dynamics may refocus your attention on the sounds rather than your textbooks.
Finally, observe how different songs specifically affect your concentration levels. Note when your mind wanders and adjust your playlists accordingly.
5. Get Organized to Optimize Brain Power
You sit down, ready to get that chapter read before tomorrow’s test, but you can’t find the notes you need. Twenty minutes pass, rummaging through clutter instead of actually learning.
Mom was right — being organized is important! An orderly study environment and materials clear away mental clutter so your brain can dedicate energy towards learning and concentration.
So, start by cleaning your entire study area and organizing learning items. Keep your essentials close by in clearly labeled folders or notebooks. And regularly get rid of old materials to prevent mental overload.
6. Map It Out With Task Lists
We’ve all been there before — surrounded by textbooks and notes but feeling totally lost on what to actually tackle first.
Without some kind of strategy, we bounce randomly from subject to subject, losing efficiency as our brains constantly have to reorient to new content. This is definitely not ideal when you’re aiming to get the most out of your study sessions!
Luckily, there’s an easy fix: creating prioritized to-do lists. These lists help beat a scatterbrain by outlining the activities, materials, and subjects you need to cover.
Start by ranking the items by importance and sequencing any multi-step tasks in a logical order. As you progress through your list, tick tasks off one-by-one to give your mind a satisfying hit.
Related Post: How to Create a Study Plan That Works for You (12 Steps)
7. Schedule Regular Breaks
I’m sure you know that feeling when you’ve been staring at notes for ages and suddenly realize you don’t actually remember anything from the last few pages you read.
I hate to say it, but pushing your concentration powers beyond their limits without taking breaks backfires. Just like muscles, our minds tire after an hour or two of intense mental exertion.
So, schedule short breaks of 5-10 minutes after every 30 to 45 minutes of studying. These breaks are like hitting the reset button on your brain.
During these breaks, stretch your legs, get some fresh air, meditate, or snap your eyes away from glaring screens. When you return to your textbooks, you’ll be equipped with refreshed focus to tackle the next round with much less strain.
8. Exercise and Refuel for Max Brain Power
So far, I’ve covered focus strategies revolving around managing your actual study habits, like when you work, arranging your space, taking breaks, etc. But your physical health plays a huge role as well.
There’s an intimate link between our cognitive abilities and physical wellness. When our brains are underfed, or our bodies feel sluggish and stressed, it directly dampens alertness and attention span. But through good nutrition and daily movement, we can supercharge circulation, energy levels, and motivation.
So, aim for at least 20-30 minutes of heart-pumping exercise per day, even if it’s just going for a walk or doing an at-home workout. Refuel wisely as well — eat complex carbs, protein, healthy fats, and greens, and avoid excess sugar and junk foods.
9. Set S.M.A.R.T. Study Goals
Most students plan to “study more” without clearly defining what that actually entails. And vague ambitions that lack concrete objectives rarely manifest into achievement because there’s nothing to directly focus on.
That’s why applying S.M.A.R.T. goal principles to your learning is vital. S.M.A.R.T. means:
- Specific: Precisely establish what you want to accomplish. Quantify chapters, problems, vocabulary terms, etc.
- Measurable: Ensure your defined goals can be tracked.
- Achievable: Challenge yourself but set realistic objectives for available time.
- Relevant: Align outcomes to actual academic requirements and needs.
- Time-Bound: Assign deadlines to create urgency.
So, rather than aiming “to study calculus,” set a S.M.A.R.T. goal like, “Complete 30 calculus practice problems covering chapters 6-8 by Wednesday night.”
Laser focus is a result of well-defined objectives.
10. Incentivize Progress With Fun Rewards
Let’s be honest — memorizing terms and plowing through dense paragraphs doesn’t give you the same rush as binge-watching a new series.
But you can purposefully boost motivation and enjoyment of the process by building little celebrations into your study routine. Use mini rewards as positive reinforcement, for example:
- Treating yourself to a dance party after finishing a tough assignment
- Calling a friend after completing two Pomodoros
- Grabbing a special snack or dessert for sticking to your task list
- Going for coffee to celebrate crossing off a checklist section
With the right rhythm of effort and celebration, focusing will get easier.
Final Thoughts
I hope this article on how to concentrate on studying offered you some vital tips to ace your next exam.
If you enjoyed this post, please comment down below!