How to concentrate on studies | 12+ absolute tips for you!

How to concentrate on studies | Which are the most common distraction?

Studying with focus is difficult. With so many digital distractions like cell phone notifications, it is hard to concentrate on studies. Mobile notifications, lack of time management, procrastination, or a wandering mind – at one point, you lose concentration. However, there are several tips that you can follow for increasing your focus.

How to overcome distractions?

When you know and implement proven tips on how to increase concentration, you do not have to increase your daily study hours from ten to twelve. Because, with focused learning, your daily study output will see a rise. Practice the following 12 tips on how to concentrate on studies to pass your exam with flying colors.

12 absolute tips on how to concentrate on studies

Here are some absolute tips that will help you concentrate on your studies –

1. Set your study goal

Firstly, it is quintessential to set your study goals. When you are studying for an exam, you must know what you are striving towards. Ask yourself why you are studying for that particular exam. Then, set a primary goal that you have to achieve from your study. Knowing your end goal and planning your study around it is half the job done.

2. Make a weekly routine

The more organized you are, the better you can focus. So, apart from a study goal, set a study routine that works well for you. Keep in mind that the timetable must include your study schedule for the week, sleeping hours, meal hours, and a few short breaks during the day. Avoid keeping your routine hard and fast. Ensure to keep it flexible for changes.

3. Create a study ritual

Simultaneously with a weekly timetable, create a study ritual. Sounds interesting? Well, it is! A study ritual will help you improve your flow and focus. Ensure to include pre-study rituals like collecting the study materials for the day, closing the door, clearing and organizing your desk, creating a to-do list, etc.

Having a daily five-minute ritual for setting up your study space will help create an excellent study environment. Simultaneously, it will also train your brain to move to a focused state of mind. With your study space clear of distractions, your mind can focus on the important things.

4. Keep digital distractions at a bay

Ever regretted the time you spent browsing social media instead of studying? Well, we all have. Hence, keep all the digital distractions away while you are studying. It is often tempting to check out the notifications or maybe a reel. But, it leads to a waste of time. Moreover, it takes nearly 30 minutes to regain the lost focus.

5. Find a suitable study location

Another effective tip to increase concentration is finding a perfect study location. Look for a noise-free and calm room for yourself to study. If not at home, you can also go to a library. In addition to this, a flat and clear desk with enough space to hold your laptop and your study materials is essential. Moreover, if you need to use your laptop more, ensure that you sit near a power outlet to not break your flow by getting up and searching for one.

6. Find a comfortable seating arrangement

Undoubtedly, a critical factor for enhancing concentration in studies is a comfortable seating arrangement. Choose a chair that offers a good posture for prolonged study sessions. A comfortable and ergonomic desk chair with lumbar support is a good choice.

As a matter of fact, sitting upright is associated with increased confidence and energy levels. Additionally, it also improves overall mood.

7. Space out your study sessions

While studying for an exam, the sheer amount of materials available for study can overwhelm you. As a result, it stresses you out, leading to poor time management and faulty planning. To increase concentration in studies, divide your study into multiple, spaced-out sessions; because it is easier to focus for half an hour at a time than for three hours straight.

8. Schedule downtime 

Another tip on how to increase concentration on studies is scheduling downtime. Mental energy and self-control are finite resources that run out as the day progresses. Hence, it is quintessential to take breaks. 

Some of the ways you can schedule downtime are –

• Small breaks to look up at an off-topic question online.
• Grab some coffee.
• Reply to important messages, and so on.

You can also add activities such as –

• Journaling.
• Dancing and stretching. 
• Listening to music. 

The key is to do the same activity in each of your breaks so that your brain can transition back into focus mode.

9. Try the Pomodoro technique

The Pomodoro technique is a time management method developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. It helps you split your study sessions into small manageable chunks. 

The activity is simple- 

• Select one study task
• Set a timer for the session
• Study until the timer goes off
• Take a break
• Repeat the cycle thrice

While you can decide what time range works for you, the Pomodoro Technique generally requires you to study straight for 25 minutes on a particular task without any interruption. You can take a 3 to 5-minute break as the timer goes off.

After three 25 + 5 minutes cycles, you can take a 30-minute break. The technique will keep you on track and help you increase concentration on studies drastically.

10. Use online tools

To concentrate on your studies and take each session to the next level, use the right tools. With ‘to-do list’ apps you can set weekly reminders of recurring study sessions. 

Some apps help you simplify your goals for the day and split them into actionable lists. You can also use music to influence your mental state. For some calming music will do the trick whereas for others rock or country may. Remember find and do things that help you out.  

Here are some apps we recommend that can benefit you-

• To stay focused: Forest, Motion, Tide
• Manage time: Google calendar, Todoist
• Note-taking: Evernote

 

11. Include quick exercise or yoga sessions 

Regular exercise has been shown to benefit your body as well as your brain. Quick exercises or stretches can increase your concentration for around 2-3 hours by increasing the flow of blood to your brain. Not only this, but it can also improve your mood and reduce stress.

You can also try doing yoga to increase concentration on your studies. Start small and maintain good posture while exercising to not injure yourself.

If you don’t like exercising or yoga you can go on short walks. Choose an area with more greenery to put you in a better mood. You can even walk around your house to just get your body moving. 

12. Review your week

Peter Drucker said ‘you can’t manage what you can’t measure.’ Well, you cannot improve your concentration when you don’t know what your strengths and weakness are, to begin with! Take 5-10 minutes at the end of your study week and review your routine, study habits, and progress to spot a pattern.

This will also give you a chance to mark your inefficiencies, modify your habits, and develop an effective study system. Your weaknesses don’t make you weak, your mentality does. So use every opportunity to improve and don’t forget to reward yourself when you have accomplished a task. 

Bonus tips on how to concentrate on studies 

Let’s read some effective tips that can help you better concentrate on your studies-

1. Before your first study session, create a plan for the day.
2. Learn to say no to plans that come in the way of your study schedule.
3. Stay focused on your priorities while studying.
4. Keep track of all the tasks you have finished in one place.
5. Count the number of study sessions you can complete each day.
6. If you do not feel like studying, take a minute to prepare mentally.
7. Put only the study materials you need for the day on your desk.
8. Write down on a page exactly what you are studying at the start of the session.

Key takeaways

• There is no quick solution to concentrate on studies. A tip may work well for you and not so well for others.
• However, using the tips and techniques listed above, you can create a study routine for yourself to concentrate on studies effectively for long hours.
• While you do this, don’t overexert yourself and push too hard.
• Instead, learn about your limits and work with them.  

If you need more tips and tricks or have any doubts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us or drop a comment below!

All the best and happy studying!

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FAQs

Q1. What are the best tips on how to increase concentration on studies?

Answer – Some of the best ways to increase concentration while studying are creating a timetable and sticking to it, coming up with a study ritual, taking short breaks in between, and keeping digital distractions. Apart from these, make sure to choose a quiet and noise-free study location.

Q2. Can meditation increase focus and concentration?

Answer – Yes, meditation can undeniably increase your focus and concentration. Meditate for a minimum of 20 minutes every day. You will see the difference for yourself. Meditation, in general, calms and soothes your mind, reduces stress, and helps you study with full concentration.

Q3. What are the pre-study rituals that students can undertake?

Answer – Making a to-do list, collecting study material, closing the door, and so on are some of the pre-study rituals that students can undertake. Additionally, you can also do the following –

• Listen to soothing classical music.
• Train your mind to concentrate on studies for long hours.
• Set the temperature of your study room.
• Set an end time for your study each day.

Q4. What are the dos and don’ts while studying that keep the focus intact?

Answer – Some of the do’s and don’ts that you can practice are –

• Get up for a walk or exercise during breaks.
• Do not multitask.
• When you feel you are about to get distracted, write the thought down.
• Take a nap between sessions.
• Conserve your brain’s energy.
• Before each study session, do deep breathing exercises to prepare your brain.
• Do not study where you sleep.