How to Increase Focus and Concentration While Studying

If you're trying to figure out how to get better at concentrating while you study, it helps to first get a handle on what you’re up against. The modern world is practically designed to break our focus. The first real step is creating a study space that’s free of distractions, getting a grip on your digital notifications, and just accepting that our brains are wired to chase after shiny new things. Once you face these environmental and psychological hurdles head-on, you're on your way to building a much more effective study routine.

September 13, 2025

Auriane

Why Staying Focused While Studying Is So Hard

Ever read the same paragraph three times and still have no idea what it said? You’re definitely not alone. Finding it tough to concentrate during a study session is an incredibly common struggle. We’re constantly fighting for our own mental energy against a world full of distractions.

One of the biggest offenders is the never-ending stream of digital pings and pop-ups. Every single notification from your phone or laptop yanks your attention away from your work. This constant task-switching shatters your concentration, making it nearly impossible to get into that deep-focus zone where real learning happens.

Why Your Brain Gets Distracted

It’s not just our gadgets. Our brains are hardwired to seek out what’s new and interesting. It's an old survival instinct that once helped our ancestors notice predators or find food, but today, it makes us an easy target for the endless scroll of social media. Your biology textbook just can't compete with the instant dopamine hit from a 30 second video.

This is a measurable problem in schools. A recent report found that 26% of public school leaders in the U.S. said student inattention had a "severe negative impact" on learning during the 2023-24 school year. You can read more about this trend in the full report on EdWeek.org.

The issue isn’t a lack of willpower. It's a battle against a hyper-stimulating environment and your own brain's wiring. Understanding that is the first step to winning the fight for your focus.

The Problem of Information Overload

On top of all that, we're often just mentally swamped. The sheer volume of information you need to absorb, juggling different subjects, assignments, and looming deadlines, can lead to total cognitive overload. When your brain is overwhelmed, its go-to defense mechanism is to escape. Usually, that means zoning out or turning to something easier and more passive, like scrolling through your phone.

But once you acknowledge these forces, both external and internal, you can start building strategies that actually work with your brain instead of against it. It's all about knowing what you're up against so you can use the practical, proven solutions we're about to cover. You really can learn how to increase your focus and concentration by making your environment and habits work for you, not against you.

Design Your Ultimate Study Environment

Ever tried to study on a cluttered desk in the middle of a busy room? It's a losing battle. Your brain is forced to constantly fight off a thousand tiny distractions, leaving very little energy for actual learning. The fix is to create a space that sends a clear signal to your brain: it's time for deep work.

The first step is to stake your claim on a dedicated study zone. This doesn't have to be a whole separate office. It could just be a specific corner of your bedroom or that one chair at the kitchen table that gets the best light. The real magic is in consistency. When you only use that spot for studying, you're building a powerful psychological trigger that helps you slip into focus mode almost automatically.

Crafting Your Physical Focus Zone

The little details of your physical space matter way more than most people think. Take lighting, for instance. Trying to read in a dim room is a surefire way to get a headache and kill your focus. A bright, well-lit space is non-negotiable for concentration. If you can get natural light, even better. For some great ideas, check out these expert tips on how to effectively increase natural light in your home.

But it's not just about light. You'll want to dial in a few other things:

• Ergonomics: An uncomfortable chair is a persistent distraction. If you’re constantly shifting around trying to get comfortable, you aren’t studying. Find a chair that actually supports your back and lets your feet rest flat on the floor. Good posture is not just for your health but also for your focus.
• Organization: Your desk should be a minimalist's dream, at least while you're studying. Keep only the absolute essentials within arm's reach. A tidy space leads to a tidy mind. Less visual clutter means less mental clutter.
• Temperature: We’ve all been there: trying to concentrate in a room that’s either freezing or sweltering. It’s nearly impossible. Aim for a cool but comfortable temperature. It helps you stay alert and locked in for much longer. I regularly see people on X (Twitter) saying that they have a better focus in a cold room. You should try it out!

Key Takeaway: When you intentionally design your study area, you're removing the small frictions that reduce your concentration. You're building an environment that supports deep work instead of one you constantly have to fight against.

Taming Your Digital Environment

Let's be real: your digital space can be even more distracting than your physical one. That phone buzzing with notifications is one of the most powerful focus-killer ever invented. You have to be ruthless about creating a digital sanctuary for studying.

This means your phone goes on "Do Not Disturb" mode, no exceptions. Better yet, put it in another room entirely. Out of sight, out of mind. Research published in the Journal of the Association for Consumer Research has actually shown that your cognitive capacity is significantly better when your smartphone is completely gone, even if it's turned off.

On your computer, it's time to bring in the reinforcements. Use website and app blockers to cut off access to social media, news sites, or whatever your personal digital kryptonite is.

Here's a quick checklist to help you get everything just right.

Your Study Space Optimization Checklist

Use this checklist to fine-tune your physical and digital environment for maximum focus.

By taking the time to declutter both your physical and digital worlds, you're creating the perfect conditions for concentration to flourish. This is a fundamental strategy for learning how to increase focus and concentration while studying and making every single minute count.

Develop an Unbreakable Mental Focus

Fixing your environment gets rid of the obvious, external distractions. But let's be honest: the real battle for focus happens inside your own head. Building unbreakable mental focus is all about training your brain to ignore the internal chatter and deliberately point your attention where you want it to go.

It all starts with giving your brain a clear target. Just telling yourself to "study for the exam" is a recipe for procrastination because it’s vague and massive. Instead, give yourself a specific, bite-sized mission. Try something like, "For the next 45 minutes, I'm going to summarize Chapter 3 and make five flashcards for the key terms".

This little trick turns a huge, intimidating task into a series of small, achievable wins. Every time you check one off, your brain releases a little bit of dopamine, that feel-good chemical linked to motivation. Research in Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews shows this process creates a positive feedback loop, making it easier to dive into the next task and keep the momentum going.

Master the Art of Single-Tasking

We live in a world that glorifies multitasking, but if you want deep, effective focus, you need to do the exact opposite: single-tasking. When you think you're juggling tasks, like listening to a lecture while scrolling through emails, you're not. Your brain is actually just switching back and forth really, really fast. This drains your mental energy and tanks your comprehension.

So, commit to one thing at a time. If you’re reading, just read. If you’re writing, just write. This singular attention is what lets you get into that "flow state" where learning feels almost effortless and connections happen naturally. For a deeper dive, we’ve got more strategies in our guide on how to increase attention span and boost focus.

Prime Your Mind with Mindfulness

Before you even crack open a book, take five minutes to quiet your mind. Often, the biggest focus-killers are the internal ones: worrying about a future deadline or replaying a conversation from yesterday. A quick mindfulness exercise can help you park those thoughts for a while.

Try this before your next study session:

• Find a comfortable spot to sit and gently close your eyes.
• Bring your attention to your breath. Just notice the feeling of it coming in and going out.
• Your mind will wander. That's what minds do. When it does, just gently bring your focus back to your breath.

The goal is to practice how to control your attention. The more you do it, the better you'll get at pulling your focus back to your studies when it starts to drift. For an extra layer of calm, some people find that using tools like aromatherapy candles for meditation and focus helps create a peaceful atmosphere.

Setting clear goals, committing to one task at a time, and practicing a bit of mindfulness aren't just quick tips. They're the fundamental skills you need to build the mental muscle for deep, sustained concentration.

Master Strategic Breaks and Study Schedules

Trying to maintain deep focus is a lot like a workout: you can’t just sprint forever without a recovery period. The old-school method of cramming with marathon study sessions is a fast track to burnout.

Think of your breaks as a critical tool for recharging your brain. They're what allow you to come back to your work sharper and more engaged than before. This is the core idea behind scheduling methods that work with your brain's natural rhythms instead of fighting against them.

Harness Your Natural Energy Cycles

Believe it or not, your body runs on internal clocks called ultradian rhythms. These are natural energy cycles that last about 90 to 120 minutes, during which your alertness and focus naturally peak and then dip. If you learn to align your study blocks with these rhythms, you can dramatically improve your concentration.

Try this: schedule a 90-minute block of deep work, then follow it up with a genuine 15 to 20 minute break. This simple change respects your body's biological pattern. You can tackle the tough stuff when you're at your peak and step away to recover when you feel that natural lull. Forcing yourself to push through those dips is usually a waste of time and just leads to frustration.

Smart scheduling is about making the time you do spend studying far more effective. When you work with your body's energy, you get more done and sidestep the mental drain that kills your motivation.

One of the best ways to put this into practice is the Pomodoro Technique. It's a hugely popular time management method for a reason. Here’s how it works:

• You set a timer for 25 minutes and focus on one single task.
• When the timer rings, you take a short 5-minute break.
• After four of these cycles, you take a longer, more substantial break of 15-30 minutes.

This technique is a game-changer because it makes even the most intimidating tasks feel manageable. To really nail this method, check out our guide on how to improve your productivity with the Pomodoro Technique.

Make Your Breaks Restorative, Not Distracting

The quality of your break matters just as much as the study session itself. A good break should help your mind completely disengage and recharge. A bad one just pulls your focus in another unproductive direction, making it harder to get back on track.

• Good (Restorative) Breaks: Go for a short walk, do some stretching, grab a glass of water, or just close your eyes and do some deep breathing.
• Bad (Distracting) Breaks: Mindlessly scrolling social media, checking your email, or watching a "quick" video that turns into a 20 minute rabbit hole.

This simple flow chart shows how to handle common distractions to keep your focus sessions going strong.

As you can see, the process is straightforward: identify what's pulling you away and actively block it. This simple habit can lead to much longer and more effective periods of deep concentration.

Let's be real: our attention spans are more fragile than ever. Research from Microsoft Corp. has shown that the average human attention span has shortened significantly in the digital age. This finding drives home just how critical structured study and break times are for keeping our brains engaged. If you're curious, you can find more insights in these user attention span statistics.

By making a conscious choice to engage in restorative activities during your downtime, you're setting yourself up for success in your next round of focused work.

Fuel Your Brain for Peak Performance

Let's be honest, your ability to focus is deeply tied to your physical well-being. It’s easy to forget, but your brain is a biological machine. Just like a high-performance engine needs premium fuel, your brain needs the right nutrients to run at its best.

If you try to power through a study session on junk food and caffeine, you’re basically running on fumes. What you eat directly impacts your energy, memory, and ability to stay locked in on a task. Giving your brain the right fuel is a foundational part of learning how to really concentrate.

The Right Foods for a Sharper Mind

You don't need a complicated, restrictive diet to get this right. It's more about consciously adding a few brain-boosting ingredients into what you already eat. Making these small changes can create a surprisingly noticeable difference in your mental clarity.

Here are a few of my go-to options:

• Foods Rich in Omega-3s: Think fatty fish like salmon, or plant-based sources like walnuts and flaxseeds. Omega-3s are literally the building blocks for brain cells, which is why they're so critical for memory and learning.
• Antioxidant-Packed Berries: Blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries are your brain's best friends. They're loaded with antioxidants that help shield brain cells from damage, which supports better cognitive function over the long haul.
• Leafy Greens: Spinach and kale aren’t just for salads. They're packed with nutrients like vitamin K and folate that support overall brain health and help keep you mentally sharp.

Choosing the right foods is about providing a steady supply of essential nutrients that support long-term brain health and immediate cognitive function, making every study session more productive.

Just as important is knowing what not to eat. Sugary snacks, sodas, and heavily processed meals will cause your blood sugar to spike and then crash hard. That sudden drop is the classic culprit behind that mid-afternoon brain fog that hits right when you need to be focused.

Hydration and Sleep: The Non-Negotiables

Your brain is incredibly sensitive to hydration. Even being just a little dehydrated can mess with your cognitive function, making it way harder to focus and remember what you just read. A simple trick? Keep a water bottle on your desk and sip on it all day. It keeps your mind clear and alert.

And then there's sleep. It's non-negotiable. While you sleep, your brain is hard at work consolidating memories and clearing out all the junk that builds up during the day. If you want to improve your attention and recall, getting a solid 7 to 9 hours of quality sleep, as recommended by the National Sleep Foundation for young adults, has to be a top priority.

Of course, it's not just about what you eat. Maintaining consistent energy throughout the day is key for staying focused. This means looking at your whole routine, from sleep to physical activity. For a deeper dive, check out these tips on how to increase energy levels naturally.

Use Movement to Boost Your Brain

Sitting still for hours on end is a recipe for sluggishness. It slows down blood flow everywhere, including to your brain. One of the best ways to re-energize your mind is to sprinkle short bursts of physical activity into your study breaks.

Next time you take a break, try one of these:

• Stretching: Just stand up. Do some simple neck rolls, shoulder shrugs, and torso twists to loosen up.
• A Short Walk: Even five minutes of walking around your room or apartment can get your circulation going.
• Jumping Jacks: Need a quick jolt? A set of 20 to 30 jumping jacks will get your heart rate up and send a fresh rush of oxygen to your brain.

This kind of physical reset can give you an instant mental boost. Consistently fueling your body with good food, water, sleep, and movement is your best defense against mental exhaustion. For more strategies on this, explore our guide on how to avoid burnout and reclaim your energy.

Ready to take control of your productivity, focus and posture? Hyud is a macOS application that provides deep work sessions, gentle reminders for posture correction, guides you through essential work breaks, and blocks distracting websites and applications. Start building healthier habits today by trying it for free.

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Auriane

I like to write about health, sport, nutrition, well-being and productivity.