It all seems so simple. You have an exam coming up, which means all you need to do is study. And yet, when the time comes to ACTUALLY study, it’s impossible. Suddenly, there are a million other things you would rather be doing and your brain simply refuses to focus on the task at hand. IF ONLY there was some way to make it easier to concentrate when you study?!

First things first, where is your phone? Chances are it is sitting right next to you, just begging for you to pick it up and have a scroll through Instagram. Or perhaps your friend decides right now is the perfect time to talk, so every time you go to start studying, your phone ‘dings’ and lights up. Good luck continuing on with your work without glancing at the phone screen to see what they’ve said.

PUT YOUR PHONE AWAY! You really don’t need it to study. Unless you are in fact studying snapchat filters, they will be no good to you right now! Your phone is just a little rectangle of distraction. Turn it off, put it on the other side of the room or if you really lack the self control, hand it over to someone else. No one is saying you have to go all day without it, but perhaps an hour or two at a time. You will be amazed at what you can achieve without it.

Speaking of electronic distractions, your computer itself may also be a big reason why you can’t concentrate. YouTube is right there…it’s so close…all you need to do is open a new tab. Nope! Constantly interrupting your study is a surefire way to get absolutely nothing done.

Get yourself a website blocker. These allow you to put in all the websites that you know will distract you, set a timer and not let you in until the time is up.

It is important throughout all this that you are giving yourself a break. Our brains are only so powerful. One reason why you might be lacking in concentration could simply be that your brain is getting weary. A five or ten minute break for every half hour of study is a pretty good rule. You will need to be strict with this time, a five minute break can become a five hour break VERY easily. Set a timer and get back to work when it goes off. A quick bout of exercise is a great way to fill in the time. This little break will get your brain back on task in not time.

Our final tip to help you concentrate during your study sessions is to break up your task. If a task is too overwhelming, it is so easy for your brain to start to wander. Breaking it up into more manageable pieces will help you stay on track and will reduce the temptation to start watching a movie instead.