How Best to Stay Focused when Studying & the Importance of Taking Short Breaks

Sitting down to study takes its own effort, but committing to staying focused on the study material at hand is another battle. All too often, distractions are prevalent throughout the course of studying. Distractions and lack of focus can cause a thirty-minute study session to exceed three hours, only to find little was completed and accomplished. Staying focused within a designated amount of time can cause effective and beneficial results in retaining information and getting work done in less time.

Staying focused while studying doesn’t always have to be mundane and structured, either.

To ensure focus throughout a study session students can:

Listen to Music

Most people say they cannot study with music because they find it extremely distracting, or, depending on the genre, music may cause students to fall asleep. A study from Northcentral University shows that music affects mood and helps students to study and focus. Ideally, music that maximizes concentration is classical or meditation genres. Naturally, music without lyrics serves as the best resource to ensure focus. Music activates both sides of the brain simultaneously to increase learning and productivity. Music, of course, can be distracting under certain conditions: (1) if the genre or music style is inconsistent (2) if advertisements and commercials often disrupt the music and (3) if the volume is overpowering. If music does tend to be distracting for you, but would still benefit from a white noise sound to help you focus, try nature sounds. Playlists with white noise or nature sounds can be found on Spotify. Other alternatives to classical music and nature sounds are jazz, atmospheric, mellow electronic, or piano. Even if these genres aren’t something you would listen to personally, this style of music can help enhance focus when studying. It is arguably more beneficial to listen to a genre you wouldn’t normally listen to, because the alternative could cause more of a distraction. Volume is essential when listening to music when studying. If the music is too loud, no matter the genre, it can be distracting and detract from study progress. Find your new favorite playlist to tune in and tune out. Some popular playlists to get started on Spotify include Deep Focus, Brain Food, and Intense Studying.

Change Location

Another tactic to ensure focus in studying is allowing a change of scenery. Having variant atmospheres can rejuvenate and refocus a student’s mind. Getting too comfortable when sitting in bed can result in a spontaneous nap, and sitting in a rigid, fluorescent-lit environment can have the opposite effect — where it is too uncomfortable to relax and focus. It is especially beneficial to not stay in one place too long. Start at the desk in your room, then after about thirty minutes of work, try re-situating yourself at the coffee table in the living room. If environments with other people in the background are fruitful in your attempt to study, then go to a coffee shop for a few hours, then to the library. The change in environment allows you to regain awareness and allows a short, natural break as you stand up to move around, or drive through town to your favorite study spot.

Take Short Breaks (but limit phone use)

Believe it or not, taking short breaks when studying has beneficial effects on your focus of the subject. Avoid using social media or checking your phone, as these types of breaks will detract from your focus rather than enhance. Taking short breaks can take the form of standing up and walking, stretching, or making a small snack. Sometimes, taking breaks can look like reading for fun, free writing, or even washing your face or taking a shower to refresh and wake you up. There are various ways to take breaks from studying, but to ensure that they are effective try keeping them in consistent intervals of time. For instance, if you study for 45 minutes, take a 15-minute break and repeat that pattern. You can also use other resources as a signifier for your breaks, rather than setting a timer or keeping track. Take a break when your music playlist ends, or use driving as your break if you decide to move from studying at your house to studying at a coffee shop.

As finals are approaching, focusing on the material effectively is crucial. Use these simple study tactics to practice routine and constructive concentration. Happy studying!

_Lisa Zimmer
Peer Mentor