4 Tips to Stay Focus When Studying for Long Hours | UNITAR (2024)

According to a study conducted in 1967, the human brain can effectively stay focused for 45 minutes at a time 1. After that timeframe, the brain loses its momentum, which can result in fatigue and difficulty keeping track of what you were actively learning. Below are some tips to get you functioning at maximum capacity while having that much-needed downtime to recharge your concentration.

1. Get yourself engaged by asking questions

We all know what it’s like to be standing in front of the class reading a paragraph from a textbook. Your heart would be beating out of your chest, and you might even start sweating due to the attention and nervousness. However, you might agree that the last thing you’ll feel is boredom, tiredness or a lack of focus. You can use this to your advantage. When you put yourself in the centre of attention during your lecture by asking questions and actively participating, you will be able to prolong your focus duration and absorb the majority of what was taught. If you find yourself struggling to stay engaged during lectures or while studying, check out this article for some tips on how to motivate yourself to study.

2. Take regular breaks in between

Studying at home can be extremely challenging, as today’s technology can be distracting. The last thing you want is for your smartphone to be the only thing ‘smart’ about you. In fact, studies suggest that people who take regular breaks during long study sessions tend to have an increase in creativity, memory power, stress management, and some even experience an immune system boost 2. However, taking a break by scrolling through social media does not provide the same benefits as mentioned 3. In an experiment published by the Journal of Behavioural Addictions, participants were divided into two groups, those who used their phones while on break and those who did not. Participants who used their breaks by going through their smartphones took 19% more time and answered 22% fewer questions than those who did not. Based on this study, it is recommended to take a short nap, read something from the paper, or listen to music while on a study break.

3. Study during daylight if possible

As much as we believe that university students are nocturnal by nature, studying during daylight does have its benefits, and the circadian rhythm is evidence of this. Circadian rhythms are mental, physical, and behavioural changes that occur in the span of 24 hours. The brain triggers these changes with the presence of darkness and light. Based on this science, the body tends to be at peak performance between late afternoons and early evenings. You can take advantage of this occurrence and schedule your heavy subjects during these peak hours. so on to aid you with your travel expenses.

4. Try listening to slow music while studying

Music can trigger a box full of emotions. For example, studying while listening to jazz or instrumental music in the background can help regulate your mood as well as motivating you to keep going. However, there are some drawbacks to the methodology of studying with music on. Music with lyrics can hinder memorisation, as the brain must simultaneously process both the lyrics and unrelated information, leading to cognitive overload and difficulty in retaining the material. Listening to music while memorising information can create a dependence on the music to trigger memory recall, limiting the ability to access the information without the same musical stimulus during tasks such as exams 4.

In conclusion, staying focused during long study hours is crucial for effective learning, and incorporating these tips can help improve your concentration and productivity. By engaging in active participation, taking regular breaks, studying during daylight hours, and listening to slow music, you can optimise your routine and make the most of your study time. With these tips and a healthy study routine, you can achieve your academic goals and succeed in your studies!