3 answers
Michell
Student
Tegucigalpa, Honduras
1
Question
Asked
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What are your study methods, when you have trouble concentrating?
Even if i put my phone down or use pomodoro method, my mind keeps getting distracted by other things(usually things that happen in my life).
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3 answers
Wong Loke Yuen
Head of Programme cum Senior Lecturer
645
Answers
Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Updated
Wong’s Answer
You need to calm your mind. Before you study, try a short breathing exercise as it helps your mind feel more settled and ready to focus.
Another helpful method is doing a quick "brain dump." When your mind keeps thinking about things happening in your life, it's trying to remind you of problems or emotions you haven't dealt with yet. A suggestion is: Take five minutes to write down everything that's bothering you like worries, feelings, plans, or random thoughts. You don't have to solve them right now. The goal is just to get them out of your head and onto paper. Many people feel lighter after this, and it becomes easier to pay attention to their work.
It can also help to change what you expect from yourself during a study session. When you're already distracted, trying to focus for a full 25 or 50 minutes can feel too difficult. Instead, just start with very small goals. Try to focus for just five minutes. After that, take a short break and then do another five minutes. These tiny steps make studying feel less stressful, and your brain is more likely to cooperate. As this gets easier, you can slowly increase the amount of time you focus.
Another helpful method is doing a quick "brain dump." When your mind keeps thinking about things happening in your life, it's trying to remind you of problems or emotions you haven't dealt with yet. A suggestion is: Take five minutes to write down everything that's bothering you like worries, feelings, plans, or random thoughts. You don't have to solve them right now. The goal is just to get them out of your head and onto paper. Many people feel lighter after this, and it becomes easier to pay attention to their work.
It can also help to change what you expect from yourself during a study session. When you're already distracted, trying to focus for a full 25 or 50 minutes can feel too difficult. Instead, just start with very small goals. Try to focus for just five minutes. After that, take a short break and then do another five minutes. These tiny steps make studying feel less stressful, and your brain is more likely to cooperate. As this gets easier, you can slowly increase the amount of time you focus.
Ashlee R.
Academic Counselor, Higher Education Program Manager, AI Chat Bot Specialist
33
Answers
Fort Worth, Texas
Updated
Ashlee’s Answer
Hi Michell, this is a great question! Everyone’s approach is a little different, and Mr. Wong and Mr. Ayenew shared excellent strategies. One additional idea I’d suggest is doing a quick mind/body check — what I like to call “don’t be a vampire.” Before you start studying, ask yourself: am I well‑rested? Have I gotten some sunlight? Have I eaten, had water, moved around a bit, or connected with friends or family today? Those small things can make a big difference in your ability to concentrate.
When heavier burdens are on your mind, journaling or doing a “brain dump” can help clear out the noise and keep you present. Building on Mr. Wong and Mr. Ayenew’s advice, breaking study time into smaller blocks is also powerful. For example, if you have a 60‑minute break between school and work, you could spend 5 minutes on a snack and water, 15 minutes resting, 10 minutes studying, a 2‑minute pause, another 10 minutes of study, and another short break — leaving you about 15 minutes to transition before your next activity.
Another strategy is to experiment with different note‑taking methods, such as the Cornell system. This approach helps you create summaries as you go, so later you can focus on reviewing those concise notes instead of re‑reading everything. It saves time and helps maintain concentration.
I hope these ideas are helpful — and remember, small adjustments can make studying feel much more manageable AND you got this!
When heavier burdens are on your mind, journaling or doing a “brain dump” can help clear out the noise and keep you present. Building on Mr. Wong and Mr. Ayenew’s advice, breaking study time into smaller blocks is also powerful. For example, if you have a 60‑minute break between school and work, you could spend 5 minutes on a snack and water, 15 minutes resting, 10 minutes studying, a 2‑minute pause, another 10 minutes of study, and another short break — leaving you about 15 minutes to transition before your next activity.
Another strategy is to experiment with different note‑taking methods, such as the Cornell system. This approach helps you create summaries as you go, so later you can focus on reviewing those concise notes instead of re‑reading everything. It saves time and helps maintain concentration.
I hope these ideas are helpful — and remember, small adjustments can make studying feel much more manageable AND you got this!
Teklemuz Ayenew Tesfay
Electrical Engineer, Software Developer, and Career Mentor
520
Answers
Ethiopia
Updated
Teklemuz Ayenew’s Answer
When I have trouble concentrating, I start by journaling for a few minutes to clear my mind of worries or tasks, and I practice a bit of mindfulness, reminding myself that everything will be okay and I can’t control what hasn’t happened. I survey the material and read it several times to understand the content, then actively test myself by writing questions and answering them on another sheet of paper, and I explain concepts in my own words to reinforce understanding. I break study time into short, focused chunks, study in a calm environment, and take care of sleep, exercise, and nutrition. If intrusive thoughts pop up, I note them to deal with later. Combining these strategies, including purposeful multiple readings and active recall, helps me focus and retain information even when my mind is preoccupied.