How To Concentrate On Studies

Edited By Somya | Updated on Feb 28, 2022 01:19 PM IST

How To Concentrate On Studies - Study sessions require copious amounts of concentration, especially if you’re studying for an exam. But students often find it hard to just sit down and do what it takes to go through the study material, even when time is of the essence. Everything is a potential distraction at such a time and can derail our focus if we are not careful.

How To Concentrate On Studies

Knowing how to concentrate on studies is a struggle that we all have to deal with, across all academic levels, be it middle school, high school, or graduation. But with the tools and techniques mentioned in this article, you’ll be able to focus on the task at hand and learn how to concentrate on studies for extended periods of time.

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How To Concentrate On Studies- Clear Goals

One of the most effective techniques on how to concentrate on studies for long hours is to set a goal and define the objective of your study. You must set study goals if you want to excel as a student. Setting goals, according to research, is a good predictor of higher grades and completion of your education. The SMART acronym can be a good guide for you to help you set study goals:

Specific goals: Goals should not be ambiguous, instead, they should be based on a concrete plan. E.g. “Attempting the mock test with more accuracy” is an ambiguous goal, whereas “Attempting the mock test with 80% accuracy is a specific goal”.

Measurable goals: If you can measure a goal, it's more tangible. It should be quantifiable in terms of time or the grades or marks you intend. E.g. Instead of setting the goal “I want to improve my grades”, set the goal, “I want to improve my grades by gaining 20% more marks.”

Attainable and Realistic goals: Refrain from setting goals that are overambitious or unrealistic. E.g. Instead of going from studying one hour per day to six hours per day all at once, gradually increase your study time by 1.5 or 2 hours per day.

Time-bound goals: A goal must be time-bound, meaning, it must begin and end on a specific date. If a goal is not time-bound, there might be no sense of urgency and less incentive to attain the goal. E.g. “I want to cover three units in one week” is a time-specific goal, "I want to cover three units." is not.

Setting SMART goals is definitely an effective answer to how to improve focus and concentration in studies.

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How To Concentrate On Studies- Study Ritual

How to concentrate on studies for long hours can be answered by creating a study ritual. Having a pre-study ritual might include things like cleaning your workstation, shutting your door, gathering all of the resources you'll need, and making a to-do list. Taking out time to set up your workstation will not only help you physically prepare for studying, but it will also better inform your brain to transition more easily into a focused state.

How To Concentrate On Studies- Time Management

The majority of study-related stress is caused by poor planning and poor time management, which often leads to intense rushing the night before an important test or exam. According to studies on how to concentrate on studies for long hours, splitting your studying into many spaced-out sessions enhances retention significantly over time. Students must take a break of around 5- 10 minutes from their studies every 45 minutes. Research has shown that the human brain has the capacity to stay focused for around 45 minutes and after that, concentration power declines.

How To Concentrate On Studies- Most Productive Time

How to concentrate on studies for long hours is a question every student wonders about at some point in time. Everyone has a specific time during the day when they perform their absolute best. It is early morning for some, while it is late at night for others. It is up to you to select a comfortable time to study so that you can focus for long periods of time.

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How To Concentrate On Studies-Better Attention

Attention span refers to how long you can focus on something. When someone gets interrupted at study, it takes an average of 23 minutes for them to regain their focus. It is important for students to know how to focus on studies for long hours. You may keep the people in your room to a minimum, silence your notifications, install site blockers, or simply put your phone somewhere else. You can train yourself for better attention span by taking care of some simple things:

Drinking plenty of water (5-6 litres a day)
Exercising (at least 30 minutes a day)
Chewing gum
Meditation
Behavioural techniques (positive self-talk, self reinforcements, etc.)

Using the simple ways mentioned above is an effective solution to how to improve focus and concentration in studies.

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How To Concentrate On Studies- Find Meaning

Focusing on grades rather than abilities and learning is one of the most prevalent mistakes students make. It's easy to get carried away in chasing a score, but education's ultimate goal is to provide students with the skills and information they need, to participate more meaningfully in the real world. Finding meaning in your studies is really beneficial, and it is a prerequisite for happiness and success in school or college. With practice and mindfulness, everyone can work on and develop a positive attitude. With an approach like this in mind, students are most likely to find a solution to how to concentrate on studies for long hours.

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How To Concentrate On Studies- Healthy Lifestyle

Good sleep (7-8 hours a night)- Concentration, as well as other cognitive skills like memory and attention, can be easily disrupted by sleep deprivation. Not getting enough sleep on a regular basis might have a negative impact on your mood and performance outcomes. Too much sleep can impede your reflexes and impair your ability to drive or perform other daily chores. All these make having a proper sleep schedule necessary and address one of the most important issues on how to concentrate on studies. One approach on how to concentrate on studies for long hours is to get a good sleep of 7-8 hours a night.

Regular exercise - Regular exercise has been proven to improve both the body and the mind. According to research, exercise leads to increased blood flow to the brain and increases the attention span for two to three hours, thereby becoming one simple answer to how to improve focus and concentration. Regular exercise has also been shown to boost mood and sleep, as well as reduce stress and anxiety, two things that can hamper concentration.

Balanced diet- The meals you eat can have an impact on cognitive abilities such as concentration and attention span. Processed foods, too much sugar, and foods that are excessively greasy or fatty should all be avoided. Aim for a food that is heavy in protein and fiber and low in added sweets. The question of how to concentrate on studies for long hours can be answered by maintaining a healthy level of hydration and eating a balanced diet. Even minor dehydration can make it difficult to concentrate or recall information.

The above are just a few recommendations on how to concentrate on studies for long hours, and how to improve focus and concentration. Keep your attention on just one tip per week or month. Move on to the following tip once you've made that one a habit. In the end, there is no one-size-fits-all strategy for how to concentrate on studies. Some strategies and tools will be more effective than others. With a little observation and experimentation, as well as the approaches listed above, you may develop a study routine that works ideally for you.

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Somya is a postgraduate is in psychology. With a keen interest in research and academics, she is pursuing her Ph. D from IIS Deemed-to-be University, Jaipur.

Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)

1. What is the best way to concentrate on studies?

Set study goals, create a study routine, put aside all distractions, study in spaced sessions, maintain a healthy diet and sleep routine.

2. How to concentrate on studies for long hours?

Find out a time that works best for you to study. For some people it's early in the morning and for others, it's late at night. Stick to your timetable and take frequent breaks.

3. How often should study breaks be taken?

Students must take a break of around 5- 10 minutes from their studies every 45 minutes. Research has shown that the human brain has the capacity to stay focused for around 45 minutes and after that, concentration power declines.

4. Which food items increase concentration on studies?

High-fiber grains, dairy, coffee, turmeric, broccoli, nuts, dark chocolate, fruits. One must avoid food substances which are fried, contain trans-fat or are too sugary.

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