One of the challenges of being a student is to maintain a good level of concentration, especially when exams are approaching and there are many things to memorise. Mobile phones, social media, events with friends are often some of the main distractions.
The good news is that there are ways to improve your concentration when studying. Applying some of the following tips and tricks will not only help you to stay focused but also help you to perform well academically and get good grades.
How to improve your concentration while studying
A low level of concentration will prevent you from completing your homework, make your study hours longer and make you more tired. That’s why it is so important to create habits that help you stay focused efficiently. Some of the things we recommend you try are:
1. Make a to-do list
Making a list of all your to-do’s will help you get organised. It is important that you put down each activity and the actual amount of time you take to complete them.
By knowing exactly what you have to do and how long it will take, you will be able to focus better on each task. This little habit is great for boosting your effectiveness and getting things done on time.
2. Keep distractions away
Once you start studying you need to stay away from distractions. It may be difficult at first, but once you get used to it, you will develop a better study rhythm by avoiding unnecessary interruptions.
One recommendation we can give you is not to answer calls or messages while you are doing your homework or studying. Only do it when you have finished, so you will learn not to interrupt your study time.
To make this step less complicated, you can set 10-minute breaks every 30 minutes of study time. Use this time to entertain yourself on your mobile phone or do some small recreational activity. The important thing is not to get caught up in distractions and to stick to the schedule you have set for yourself.
3. Define your study space and keep it organised
Having a fixed place to study, read and do homework is key to improve your concentration. The main advantage is that your brain will associate that space with the need to focus on the homework in front of you.
Think of it this way: if you lie in bed, you will probably feel like sleeping or watching TV because your brain is used to doing those activities there. The same is true when you designate a space just for study. By being in front of the desk, your brain will be more likely to pay attention.
For this trick to be effective, it is important that the space is organised. Clutter creates distractions and therefore makes it difficult to concentrate. Having a lot of things around you will not allow you to focus as easily on the task at hand. Especially if it’s unnecessary stuff that doesn’t relate to your homework.
It is also good to have everything you need at hand. It is estimated that every time you get up to get something you need to complete your homework, it takes you 10 minutes to regain the level of concentration you had achieved.
4. Get enough rest
Sleep is necessary to maintain good mental and physical health. If you don’t get at least 8 hours of continuous sleep, you are likely to feel sleepy the next day and study will be more difficult.
Not getting enough sleep during the night causes dispersion, tiredness, short attention span and moodiness. All these aspects are unfavourable for studying. That’s why getting a good night’s rest is key to concentrating on your studies.
Another way to have a good balance between study and rest is to give yourself time to do other activities after having spent hours studying. Plan a walk with your friends, get some fresh air, listen to music or watch a few episodes of your favourite series. This will give you a space to regain your energy and continue studying.
5. Listen to relaxing music
Listening to relaxing music is excellent for stimulating your brain and promoting the peace of mind you need to concentrate on your studies. So it’s good to listen to some before you study or while you study at a very low volume.
It is important that the music you choose is instrumental and has no lyrics, as you may be distracted by the singer’s words. The sound should be soft, pleasant and consistent, without moments of exaltation. This will create a relaxed atmosphere for you to stay focused and study.
6. Alternate the subjects you study
You don’t need to study all the complicated topics at once. This is not advisable because you may burn out faster and lose the motivation you need to study. A good way to avoid this is to alternate between complex and simple study topics.
The simple ones will keep you motivated and will be a respite from the difficulty of the more complex topics. Even if you feel you are tired of studying the same subject, switching to another subject can help you regain your concentration.
