How to focus while studying: 9 practical habits

Phones are the biggest focus-breaker for most students. In one experiment, simply receiving a phone notification (without answering it) disrupted performance on an attention task about as much as answering a call (Stothart et al., 2015). Silent mode isn't enough if you can see or reach it. Put it in another room for each session; if you need it for study, turn on Do Not Disturb and close every app except the one you need.

A vague goal invites distraction. Before you start, write down exactly what you'll do: "Answer the 12 questions on page 84 and check them." When the task is clear, it's easier to notice when you've drifted and come back.

Set a timer for 25 to 45 minutes, work until it rings, then take a 5 to 10 minute break. Knowing a break is coming makes it easier to ignore distractions now. See the Pomodoro technique.

It's hard to stay focused while rereading, because your brain isn't being asked to do anything. Active tasks hold attention: answering questions, writing what you remember on a blank page, explaining a topic aloud, solving problems. They're also more effective for learning (Dunlosky et al., 2013). See active recall.

Studying in the same place, with everything you need ready, helps you settle in quickly. Avoid your bed and anywhere with a TV. A library, a desk or the kitchen table after dinner can all work. If home is noisy, try earplugs or quiet background noise.

When an unrelated thought pops up ("reply to Sam", "check the football score"), write it on a notepad and go back to work. You can deal with the list in your break. This stops thoughts from nagging at you without derailing the session.

Most people focus best earlier in a session and earlier in the day. Do the most demanding task (new material, difficult problems) first, and leave easier tasks like organising notes for later.

• Sleep: teenagers need 8 to 10 hours a night (Paruthi et al., 2016). Tired brains wander.
• Movement: a short walk or stretch in your break helps you come back fresher.
• Water and food: being hungry or thirsty makes concentration harder.

Being stuck is one of the main triggers for reaching for your phone. When you hit a problem you can't solve, give yourself a few minutes, then get help rather than giving up: check your notes, ask a friend, or ask an AI tutor to explain the next step. With TutorAura, you can show your working on the whiteboard and it points to exactly where you went wrong.