Many students find it difficult to concentrate on studying, whether you’re a veteran student getting a Ph.D. or someone in high school, being unable to concentrate is a problem we all encounter at some point. Students are faced with many problematic factors that make them unable to concentrate on studying, and these problems could vary from intermittent glitches to the constant loss of motivation and poor performance.
However, there are possible solutions that can help you concentrate on studying; whether your most significant distraction is social media, procrastination, time management, or a mix of all three. Here are some tips and strategies that can help alleviate the burden of learning and keep you focused on what counts.
1. External distractions
These days, there are so many external factors that make many students feel overwhelmed. Social networking, colleagues, telephone, TV, video games, and outings all have a role to play in wreaking havoc on the willingness of students to concentrate on studying. If you find it difficult to focus on studying because you feel distracted, consider shifting your study atmosphere to somewhere more conducive to learn.
A straightforward approach that can help you conquer the influence of external distractions and concentrate on studying is by creating a suitable environment for learning. Eliminate from your workspace all your vulnerabilities. This could include your smartphone, the internet, the TV, and so on.
Restrict your weekend socialization and try downloading a browser app that would limit you from visiting your favorite social networks and websites during your study hours. If, because of distractions, you find it challenging to study at home, consider going somewhere else. The library will be a lovely spot because you can switch off your phone and enjoy the peace and quiet in the environment.
2. Low motivation
One of the main challenges you will have to face while studying is low motivation. Without enough inner-derive to study, it can feel challenging to get through the overwhelming amount of effort required to achieve your study goals. The trick to recognizing low motivation is to acknowledge the reasons behind it; for everyone, they’re not the same reasons.
Some of the reasons people feel less motivated include: The thought of all they have to study because they are exhausted and stressed because they have other, more exciting things to do.
What makes you lack motivation? Could it be because you find the subject dull, or for any other reason you don’t like it? Don’t you like the teacher for a particular topic? Or do you have other stuff going on in your life, which means learning feels less critical at the moment? Maybe you’re not in the best of health, or you’re not sleeping enough, and you’re worried about failure.
You’ll be in a great place to solve your dilemma head-on when you know what brings about your low inspiration and you’ve figured out what can motivate you to accomplish your goals.
Put together an action plan to combat low motivation, which often involves finding out what motivates you to take concrete actions to solve these potential factors. Is it the pleasure of completing a task? Healthy teachers’ comments? Being viewed by your peers or parents as successful? Short-term benefits, such as during a research session with a chocolate bar? Long-term accomplishment, i.e., top grades and a spot at your chosen university?
When you have low motivation, keeping those positive quotes on your desk can also motivate you to keep studying. The correct diet also helps; consuming very sugary sweets for breakfast, for example, will cause a brief sugar boost that will briefly make you more active but will wear off quickly, leaving you sluggish and unable to motivate yourself.
Also read: Ways to stay motivated
3. Insufficient sleep
Sometimes the reason you can’t concentrate on studying is that you lack an adequate amount of rest. Sleep is very vital to your functionality; it allows your bodies to release hormones that repair damaged cells, controls your body energy use, and it’s also essential for cardiovascular health.
According to research, humans need an average of 8 to 10 hours of sleep for optimum productivity. Research again proves that as little as 15 percent of young adults get the required amount of sleep, while an outstanding 75 percent deprive themselves of quality sleep.
While your sleep-unfriendly schedule as a student may not allow you to get this much, it’s vital to get as much sleep as you can. Learning to manage your time correctly can help you get the right amount of sleep you need.
Read: 5 house plants that help you sleep better
4. You lack the right resources
Not having access to the right aids could also be why you find it difficult to concentrate on studying. Academic achievement depends on access to the right resources, whether it’s the books, tools, an instructor you need to chat with, or something else you need to learn effectively. Ask your instructor to recommend any books you like, so you don’t unintentionally take your studying in the wrong way.
Equipment would be a topic to discuss with your parents, such as a new laptop or stationery. Talk with your parents about it and make your case known. Give them a persuasive reason for investing in new technology such as a new laptop or an iPad. If you can show them that these things will help you study more effectively, you have a chance to persuade them.
5. Poor time management
To concentrate on studying, you must learn to manage your time correctly. If you find yourself trying to reach deadlines, or you always end up needing to stay up late to complete a piece of homework, it is an indication that you need to work on your skills in time management.
Time management skills include getting more prepared, maintaining a schedule of what needs to be done and where, and beginning homework as soon as you set it up, instead of procrastinating. It also suggests that your schedule is more disciplined: waking up early, preparing your day, and making fully efficient use of the time you devote to each of your subjects.
Checkout: 10 simple time management tips for students
6. Difficulty remembering facts and figures
A common criticism among students at all levels is the difficulty of recalling all the details required to answer exam questions efficiently. It can seem like a monumental challenge to remember all the statistics and figures from each of your subjects, especially if you have to handle more than five courses in a semester. One way to concentrate on studying, and be able to recall all that you’ve learned, is by entering into the proper mentality.
A good mental outlook will go a long way to help you get back on track, regardless of the studying challenges you face. Whenever you feel overwhelmed by all the information you need to grasp or get caught in a learning rut, take a little time out to clear your mind and relax. You can say some positive affirmations to change your way of thinking about your subject before approaching it one more time. Also, try to figure out the learning method that works best for you. Studying with the right techniques will improve your memory come exam time, but if you still fail to remember the required details, it can help you learn to use a few memory aids.
Read also: 16 Useful Daily Affirmation
7. You don’t enjoy the course
You probably can concentrate on studying because you do not want the subject. Maybe you find it dull or feel you’re not good at it; whether it seems like a meaningless course that you’re not going to have any long-term use for, such a disdain can significantly affect your performance in that subject. Having an uninspiring instructor or not liking the subject’s teacher could also contribute to a hatred of the course.
A change of attitude would be required to counter this problem. You have to see the reasons why you need to concentrate on studying that course. For a start, you don’t want a low score in your result and end up having to explain to yourself and your parents. Secondly, if you’re going to get into the best colleges or secure a good position, you’ll need decent grades around the board.
Having a longer-term purpose in mind can help you gain a more immediate motivation and explain why you must study this subject. The fact that it’s on the curriculum means the knowledge might be useful at some point if you are taking a career in that field. Think about the value of learning the subject as gaining information on a piece of general knowledge.
If you hate the subject because you know you’re not very good at it, maybe you’ve been turned off by a low grade? The solution may lie in being more optimistic about this subject. You should devote a little more time to getting better at it, and you will find that you are starting to love it more.
8. Disorganized study area
The way you manage their notebooks and arrange your study area can impact your ability to concentrate on studying. If your study area is packed with books and study material, including the ones you’re making use of at the moment and those you no longer have any use for, you may feel overwhelmed by the sight of it and may lose concentration.
If you have a mismanaged study area, you can find it difficult to access essential items on time and create a culminating disruption while studying. To eliminate any other disturbances, keep your study room well maintained; declutter your study environment by removing unnecessary books and equipment you aren’t using at the moment. Creating a clear space for studying would not only increase your productivity but also help you to concentrate on studying.
9. Stress
We are face lots of problems and obstacles every day, and any tension can hamper your study and distracts you from your goals. When you feel stressed about something that doesn’t directly affect your studies or exam planning, try not to be disturbed about it. Stay focused on maintaining emotional balance and mental stability. Do not hesitate to consult your parents, school counselor and well-wishers, whenever you feel overwhelmed by what stresses you.
10. Laziness
Laziness is an apparent excuse for not taking a fair interest in your studies. Procrastinating by delaying stuff till later or other days will make you idle, resulting in unfinished or imperfect jobs. If you want to concentrate on studying and achieve the desired effects, you must learn to keep the word ‘lazy’ out of your dictionary.
Most times, laziness occurs as a result of low motivation, insufficient sleep, lack of interest in the subject, and even stress: You should make use of the tips in this article to counter these problems, to concentrate on studying and come out with good grades.
