It’s not easy to study. Whether you’re a high school or college student, there are likely a hundred things you’d rather be doing instead of cracking open a textbook. You have friends to hang out with, clubs to participate in, and that Netflix show to catch up on. But studying is unavoidable. Sometimes you don’t have the luxury to put your assignment off for another day. Concentrating can be a challenge, even for the most focused of students. Read on for seven ways to help you concentrate while you study and form good study habits.

 1. Get rid of ALL distractions

You may think you can concentrate with your favorite show on, but it’s likely most of your attention will be on the TV and not your studies.

Set your phone on Do Not Disturb and turn off the TV. This is an extremely important step because it’s all too easy to get distracted. It goes beyond just electronics. If you live with noisy family members or roommates, find a quiet place to study where you won’t be distracted.

If you’re working on your computer, you might convince yourself to scroll the internet for just a few minutes. To avoid this, download a plugin that will prevent you from going on your favorite sites and getting distracted.

2. Set a time limit

Setting a time limit will let you concentrate more. By giving yourself strict parameters, it’ll seem more attainable to devote all your attention to your task, rather than leaving it open-ended. You’ll be less likely to allow interruptions and be more determined to accomplish your task in the time you’ve allotted.

 3. Take a break, but use it wisely

Once you hit your stride in studying, you may be tempted to keep going. But to avoid burnout, you should probably take a much needed break. Use this time to stretch or get a quick snack. 

However, this isn’t a good time to jump on social media or see what’s on TV at the risk of getting distracted again. Just like you set a time limit for studying, set one for your breaks. Then get back to studying.

 4. Try the Pomodoro technique

If you’re still struggling to use your studying and break time wisely, you need to try the Pomodoro method. The Pomodoro Technique is a great way to recharge and maximize your productivity. 

Created by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s, the Pomodoro method is a way that can help anyone who wants to be more productive. For this, you will need your phone, so set a timer for 25 minutes. During that time, solely work on your projects. Once the timer is up, write a checkmark on a piece of paper and set another timer for 5-10 minutes. Use that time for a break. 

This is one Pomodoro. Continue this way until you’ve completed four Pomodoros. Now you get a longer break, usually 20 or 30 minutes. This technique will break up your workload into attainable sections, making it easier for you to concentrate while you study.

 5. Don’t sit on your bed

Still trying to find a quiet place to study? An obvious option may be your room, but don’t think of jumping on your bed and opening your textbooks. By studying on your bed—a place we all dedicate to sleeping—your brain is set in that mode. Not to mention our beds are just comfortable. Soon you might find yourself getting tired, lying down, and falling asleep.

Instead, sit at a desk or table. This puts you in the mindset of working, not relaxing. 

 6. Listen to music without lyrics

While there’s nothing wrong with wanting a little entertainment while you study, certain kinds of music can do more harm than good when you’re trying to pay attention.

If you ever find yourself singing along to your favorite music instead of studying, listen to instrumental music or a film score. The right music just might motivate you to keep going!

7. Enlist the help of others

Studying alone can get boring. While some students are fine studying by themselves, other students learn better with others.

If you fit the latter, find some friends you can study with. This is also helpful if you find yourself stuck. Working together can help you solve the problems. It is known to be one of the easiest ways to do algebra homework faster.

Final thoughts

Studying is something that can’t be avoided if you want to do well in school. So when it comes time for it, you need to make sure you’re focused and devote all your time to it. These steps can help you successfully concentrate while you study.

What methods do you use to focus while studying? Share with us in the comments!