GCU supports students in building focus and study habits by exploring causes of distraction and offering practical techniques to stay engaged in today’s quickly evolving environments.
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The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.
Some college students may find it difficult to maintain their concentration throughout a study session. It can be tough to stay focused on your work, especially if you’re a new college student who isn’t yet accustomed to the workload. There are many factors that can impair your ability to concentrate, both online and offline, that can affect students.
If you’re wondering, Why can’t I focus on studying? then you may benefit from discovering some actionable techniques on how to focus on studying and explore the many causes of concentration difficulties. Here, you can explore some of the many causes of concentration difficulties and discover how to focus on studying.
Poor concentration is often the result of distractions, such as social media notifications, texting, emails, environmental noise and news updates. Distractions can also be internal, such as hunger pains or internal thoughts.
It can also be difficult to focus on studying if your work setting is cluttered, messy or uncomfortable. Multitasking is another possible cause. Students who try to multitask often do so in an effort to get more work done as quickly as possible.
However, according to one scientific study, the human brain doesn’t have the necessary neural building blocks to truly focus on more than one thing at a time.1
This means that when you try to multitask, you're actually rapidly switching your attention from one task to the next and then back again, instead of actually doing two tasks simultaneously. This is counterproductive and may limit a person’s ability to concentrate.
In addition to distractions and attempts at multitasking, other possible reasons for poor concentration may include anxiety or burnout. Some students may feel disengaged with the material if they’re questioning their choice of major and thinking about switching to a different field.
Of course, sometimes medical conditions can cause distractibility, as well, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ADHD is often diagnosed in childhood, but it's also possible for adults to be diagnosed with it. Adults with ADHD have typically displayed symptoms since childhood but were simply not screened for this neurodevelopmental disorder.2
While not everyone with concentration difficulties has ADHD, you might consider asking your physician about getting screened for it if you struggle with:2
Having a general understanding of some of the most common causes of poor concentration can be helpful for solving the problem. Once you know the answer to the question, Why can’t I focus on studying? you can begin to address the root causes. The following tips may help you learn how to stay focused while studying.
Ideally, you should have a designated study space, such as a desk or table where you have room to work. Try to eliminate distractions in your study space as much as possible. For example, if you have a TV in your dorm room, angle the desk to face away from the TV.
Your study space should contain all of the items you need for a successful study session, such as pens, highlighters and notebooks, as well as easy access to learning materials for your classes. It should be well-lit and comfortable.
It isn’t always possible to eliminate noise distractions from your study space, especially if you live in a shared dorm room or have roommates. However, you could have a chat with your roommate(s) about designating certain periods of time as “quiet time.” You might also wear headphones and listen to classical music to block out distracting noises.
The internet offers many distractions. If at all possible, try to stay offline during your entire study session. Silence your phone or disable social media notifications.
If you’re an online student, staying offline while studying isn’t always possible, since most or all of your learning materials may be in your student portal. However, you can commit to avoiding the temptation to access non-school-related websites during this time.
If you feel that your ability to concentrate could use some improvement, you might consider doing some brain-training activities. These types of activities may support better focus if done consistently on most days of the week.3 Plus, they don’t take that long to do.
Consider doing the following types of brain-training activities:3
It’s tough to maintain your focus for hours on end, and trying to do so can be counterproductive. Instead, establish a consistent schedule for your study sessions. For example, you might plan to review class material for 30 minutes before taking a five-minute break. Then, work for another half hour before taking a 15-minute break.
One technique that could be worth a try is the Pomodoro Technique. The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method developed in the late 1980s. It is a method to make time a tool rather than an enemy. This technique uses fixed time intervals for focused productivity (usually around 25 minutes) which is then followed by short breaks. This helps keep the mind alert and engaged. Learn more about this technique here.
Poor concentration and procrastination often go hand-in-hand. If you’re dreading tackling a large project, such as preparing for a final exam or writing a lengthy research paper, then try the “divide and conquer” approach.
Write down a list of everything that needs to be done for that project, organizing each item in a sequential manner. Then, focus on completing just one step at a time.
For example, if you need to prepare for a final exam, you could write a list of all of the most important topics covered in the curriculum. Organize them according to priority (the priority topics should be the ones you struggle with the most), and then tackle them one by one.
If you're still struggling to maintain your focus while studying, you should know that you don't have to deal with it alone. Schools vary in the student services they offer, but yours may offer individual or small group tutoring sessions. Your tutor may not only be able to help you with subject-specific concepts but also provide you with guidance that can help you learn how to focus on studying.
Some students may also find it helpful to join a study group. Working through class material with others might help you stay on task and avoid distractions. However, it’s important to ensure that the study group is comprised of students who are all dedicated to pursuing academic success, as they may be less likely to become prone to distractions.
Grand Canyon University offers a wide range of bachelor’s degree programs, both online and on campus, in fields such as business, technology, science, healthcare, nursing and more. Our private Christian school provides comprehensive student support services through our Academic Centers for Excellence (ACE) as well as the Student Success Center.
When you need a break from your schoolwork and studying, you can experience a robust range of recreational options on campus. Activities such as pickleball and basketball in the Canyon Activities Center (CAC), a quick workout at the fitness center, walking paths and many others are available to all campus students.
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