Can't concentrate when studying

by Shila
(Nepal)

I am not able concentrate my mind on studying. Why can't I remember things so fast? I need lots of time, how can I reduce it?

Doug's Reply: There are several things you can do to make it easier to concentrate while studying. Take a look at your study environment. Is your workspace organized? Are there too many distractions? Do you have a designated study spot?

Your study spot should only be used for studying. For that reason, for example, it is a bad idea to study in bed because your mind associates the bed with sleeping. Make sure there are no distractions in your room. Turn the TV off, and if you have to listen to music make it the quiet instrumental kind.

As you begin to read through the study material, follow a study system such as SQ3R. This stands for Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review. The SQ3R method has been recommended since 1949 as a way to increase your study efficiency.

For more study tips, see my Best Study Skills page.

Your health is another consideration. Your brain cannot function at its best if you are not getting sufficient restful sleep, eating a healthy diet (including brain foods), and getting regular exercise.

Mindfulness meditation is a powerful way to increase your ability to concentrate. Mindfulness ("awareness") meditation helps improve your brain's ability to focus intently.

You might also want to consider playing brain games that require concentration. There are over 200 free brain games on my site, or you can sign up for a brain training service such as Lumosity.

As you can see, there is not just one answer to your problem. Many factors can affect the health of your brain. Take a look at each of my suggestions and make improvements where you can. I think it will make a difference!

Best regards,
Douglas
Memory-Improvement-Tips.com

Comments for Can't concentrate when studying

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May 12, 2020
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Lack of Concentration in studies
by: Anonymous

I am not able understand things while learning. It is a difficult task for me since 6 months. I need a appropriate solution.

May 08, 2020
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How to boost myself?
by: Anonymous

I have already failed inter in 3 subjects. Then i realized my mistake, and i tried to boost myself. i have qualified in supplementary with 8.3 grade. Now, i am studying engineering again. i am having 2 backlogs i want to study but i can't. i am feeling very guilty about my failure.

May 02, 2020
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I an studying 10th standard I can't focus because something running in my mind
by: Anonymous

It's just because of insomnia. Ito a disease caused by without sleeping. If you take a good nap. You would recover soon. Just try it now!

Apr 02, 2020
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Lack of concentration
by: Anonymous

I'm unable to focus on study then how can i study and to reach my goals plz tell me how could I

Feb 07, 2019
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Tell me a way to concentrate on my studies
by: Anonymous

I'm a A/l student. I don't know why I can't concentrate on my studies.. I have alot of stuff to study in all 3 subjects (maths, chemistry, physics). I will be having the exams on this August. But I'm not ready; I'm afraid of facing the exam.. plz tell me a way to concentrate on studies and do my best to achieve my goals.

Oct 06, 2018
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Lack of Confidence & concentration
by: Sameer Raaz

I'm studying in class 12th.But My Mind don't focus on study. While studying everything in my mind past evidence we're running . And I waste my precious time in that. Can you tell what's the reason behind it.
Plss give me answer..

Dec 21, 2017
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Can't concentrate
by: Nora

I am 12 standard science student. I love reading novels and short stories. So I read them a lot. But now that I have less than 2 months for my boards I have started studying harder but my concentration deviates. One second I am reading and another second I'm dreaming about the books I read. Please help me out of this.

Nov 07, 2017
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Cannot Concentrate
by: Anonymous

I used to be the head of my class, study, and would do my homework, and play some videogames in my free time, and still get great grades and have smart friends. Then, I got a B one time, and tried to focus my time on studying the next year, Then I got a B again. And when I devoted all my time on studying the next year, I couldn't concentrate when the teacher is talking, I've avoided people in the hallway when they call my name, I'd sit at my own table, and then started to not talk to anyone pretty much the entire day.

Oct 29, 2017
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i can't focus
by: Anonymous

I am in class 11. My stream is science. I am losing focus as well as concentration on not only study on everything what i am doing. I actually don't know why. I have stopped doing Facebook and instagram. But still i am having problem. When i used to sit for study then i get remembered what i have done for whole the day. I try hard to stop this. Please help me.

Oct 29, 2017
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Lack of concentration in studies
by: Pallavi

When am studyng i feel sleepy and get lots of distractions and I can't concentrate on my studies and when I study can't memorize the same after a week.

Oct 26, 2017
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Story of my life
by: Anonymous

Hi,

I am 36 years old. I was at the peak of my career at the age of 33 (Operations Manager for a Translation firm). I changed by field of work (joined Retail as I wanted to get out of BPO-KPO background) and was fired by my boss with 2 months of joining. Now its been 2 years that I don’t have a job. I have lost confidence in my self. There is a fear of failure in me.
I have put my wife in tremendous stress. She is worrying a lot about me. Although I am her pillar of support, I know I am weak from within. We were planning a baby this year and she was carrying twins. She had a miscarriage in the 5th month of pregnancy. It was a boy and a girl. The miscarriage was because of ME. She could not take a break from work and enjoy her pregnancy as I did not have a job due to our obligations.
I tried doing SAP in PS and failed 3 attempts last year. This Year I am again doing SAP in MM and have already failed in the first attempt. People are laughing at me behind my back. I don’t know what I am doing with myself. I have an exam tomorrow and I am unable to concentrate. Studies has always been my weakness.

Sep 06, 2017
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Can't concentrate
by: Anonymous

I literally can't concentrate however hard i try. Most of the time i feel like going in a coma for at least a month to get a break from my useless thoughts. All my grades are dropping down. What should i do? i feel so anxious.

Jul 25, 2017
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lost memory
by: Anonymous

i cant study well i use to forget what i was reading ..the mean time i read my mind is not concentrated.. What am i supposed to do???

Jun 13, 2017
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Not able to concentrate
by: Anonymous

I cannot concentrate on my exams i always feel sleepy during exams dnt knw what to do

Jan 03, 2017
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Can't concentrate
by: Anonymous

I want to study but I cant concentrate while studying

Nov 01, 2016
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study but not understand and remembered what i studying.
by: charlyn

Few days away before my exam,

Oct 02, 2016
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weak in studies
by: Anonymous

I an weak in studies,is this a big probem

Jul 24, 2016
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can't concentrate when i am study and immeaditle after reading i forget everthing.
by: Augusta upale

i hope your tips to this problems will help me out. thanks

Jun 02, 2016
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can't study for long time and can't concerntrate
by: anonymous

i can't concerntrate for long in my study i have my exams in 3 days but still my mind is not ready to study..

May 22, 2016
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I can't study well now
by: Navas bin aslam jan

I was a first rank holder when I m. Plus two. ..but now I am electrical engineering student. . June 11 will be my exams date. .now I have no classes.

I don't know why. .I couldn't study well. .I haven't any specific place to study. ... but I got good marks on my past exams. .but now I couldn't.

I failed my exams. .... I don't know how to study well within this 10 days. ..can you please help me to improve my concentration. ...

May 07, 2016
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I failed almost all subjects need help
by: Anonymous

I failed almost all my subjects in grade eleven term one and I really need help.

Mar 13, 2016
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Need to study complete physics and chemistry in 45 Days.
by: Anonymous

As I have failed in two subjects in grade 11 (physics and chemistry) now my 12 exam is coming. There is not much time left. What should I do to pass both 12 & 11?

Doug's Reply. Not sure, there are many considerations here. But here are my thoughts.

First ask yourself: Why did I fail before? Do I have poor study habits? Am I disorganized? Do I waste hours in the day on distractions like too much TV and constantly texting my friends?

You need to immediately establish productive habits you may be lacking, and eliminate bad habits and time wasters.

You need to live and breath physics and chemistry for the next 45 days. Spend lots of time with both subjects every day. Study in a quiet place where you can concentrate without interruptions.

You need a plan. Maybe divide the required information into segments and set goals for mastering each one. Make an outline of topics you need to master.

If possible consult your professor or instructor or teacher or someone else familiar with these exams for their tips on how to most efficiently study for these exams.

You need to use effective study techniques. Reading the same material over and over and over, for example, is often inefficient.

Instead, preview the chapters, examine and understand all illustrations and graphs, and use memory techniques and self-testing to memorize the factual information.

Flip chapter and section headings around into questions in your mind. Then answer those questions.

You need to find resources. Practice questions, video lectures, friends who can explain the concepts to you... whatever works best for you.

For instance, search YouTube for video lectures in chemistry and physics. These can help you understand complex topics. For example, CrashCourse - Chemistry has 46 highly rated chemistry video lectures.

Flash cards are excellent for self-testing. For instance, look on Quizlet for free physics and chemistry flash card sets. Review the cards every day.

Mostly you need to totally commit. Fear of failure is a good motivator. Work very hard every day. Eliminate all extraneous activities. Your friends want to hang out and relax after a hard day of school? Skip that and go study!

IMPORTANT: Self-test, self-test, self-test. Cover the page with your hand or close the book. Recite the facts, formulas, examples, and definitions from that page out loud from memory.

Print out lots of practice questions. Solve them without looking at the book. If you cannot, solve as much of the question as you can from memory, then consult the book on how to finish the solution.

Research has proven that self-testing is very powerful. AND it is how you will know whether you actually KNOW the material.

In 45 days come back here and let us know how it went. Best of luck to you.

Nov 02, 2015
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Help 4 study
by: Vs

I can't pay attention on my study.when i open my book my mind deviated on other things.plz help me

Oct 14, 2015
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deviation
by: Anonymous

When i open my book...iam deviating on other things...when am closing books, am getting inspiration to study..i dont know what to do...really worried and feeling guilty that i couldn't use my potential properly to achieve success..

Sep 30, 2015
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I have good memory but find hard to concentrate
by: Ritz

Thanks... I'm glade that I found this page... I'm able to focus on studying more then getting stuck in thoughts...

Mar 14, 2015
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thanks
by: Anonymous

Thanks from me, because today I was very nervous for my result. When I saw my result, I became so happy, because I scored 85%. ThanZz.

Feb 17, 2015
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Good
by: Tiger

Thank you!! This helps for my long term EAMCET (Engineering Agricultural and Medical Common Entrance Test).

Dec 23, 2014
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Study in blocks
by: Anonymous

Try to take short breaks. Avoid doing anything while studying. Talk to yourself. Say ok i am going to study. Focus.

If your feel sleepy get a mocha drink. If your mind wanders a lot that means your body is tired. Call it a day.

Wake up in the morning, don't do anything just study. Your brain is fresh and has full battery. If you do anything else you are wasting your time in things that will make you fall behind and you will.

Stress and complain and look for more answers online until you will find any answers to your problem and you will get depressed because your brain works like a cell phone. You have to charge it by sleeping.

Use the most out of the battery for things on top of your priority before your battery dies. If you run low and try to use it more guess what is the result. No matter how young you are or how old you are the rule applies to all.

Turn off your computer unless you need to study on the computer, turn off cell, TV and all electronic devices, get a quiet place to concentrate.

Dec 04, 2014
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forgetting everything
by: Anonymous

I'm not focusing when I'm studying. I forget everything, not even concentrating.

Dec 01, 2014
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lot and lot of diffculty in study
by: akash chaurasiya

when im study i m not concentated plz give me some idea how im concentraded in my study plz

Nov 18, 2014
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i can't concentrate in my study
by: joram

can't concentrate in study. when i open the books i feel sleepy. if i study then after some time it goes to think some other things. so plz help me what i can do. my exam is very near....help me plz....

Nov 15, 2014
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Thank you
by: Priya

Thank you so much this article....i try to follow this tips...i hope it helps in my board exam...

Nov 13, 2014
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help
by: mamta

My biggest problem is that i am not able to learn or remember things... can anyone help me... guide me what to do..??

Oct 27, 2014
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Exams in Two Days
by: Anonymous

Help me please. I was a good student in school for the last exam. However, something in my mind tells me that I already know and there's no need to study and it makes me not study.

I also keep on telling myself the exam is a long time even though starting in two days. I really was a good student, but it'll be sad if I don't do very well on my final.

Another thing. My mind tells me not to study and fail so I can get sympathy.

Oct 26, 2014
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Maths problems
by: Xavier

I'm a science student and I need to have a great control on mathematics as it is applied in physics for derivations, but in maths there are some concepts which I cannot get while others can, please help me out with this.

Oct 24, 2014
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Thank you
by: Shreeparna

Thank you very much sir for giving us such useful tips.

Sep 21, 2014
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I am not concentrate on my study well
by: Ajay

I am not concentrate on my study I think this lesson I will do tomorrow and when tomorrow comes and then again I think I will do tomorrow. It is my problem. Please help me.

Sep 20, 2014
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mathematics
by: Anonymous

i am facing problem with mathematics so what can i do my percentage is decreasing due to mathematics what can i do sir.

Sep 10, 2014
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many distractions
by: sachin alex

I really need help to concentrate.
but I forget or the lesson is too big.

Sep 04, 2014
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i cant study nor i can focus on anything
by: shaurya

plz help me out day by day m seeking for help that any one can help me and sort out my problem...i cant able to focus on studies day spent in thinking and deciding the things...tell me the solution and the things that can help me to improve myself and live comfortable life....Plz reply

Sep 02, 2014
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a big problem!! for me
by: Anonymous

If i am studying... yes,i can memorize but sometimes i can't apply... and one more thing example in studying yesterday but now i forget all... what is the best advice?

Aug 17, 2014
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distracting...
by: Anonymous

I can't concentrate. Something is distracting me every time.

Aug 16, 2014
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Can't study well
by: baljeet

Whenever I start to study... I can't get concentrated. Because of my personal problem... and I keep on thinking about it.. at the end I got frustrated and stopped studying.

Jul 28, 2014
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By tilly
by: Anonymous

When i sit for studying one or the other distractions disturb me. Even though there is no distractions i am unable to concentrate. How to get out of this problem????

Jul 07, 2014
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Can't concentrate on studies
by: prasad k

I can't focus on my studies even if i tried several times but still i dont want to give up. Pls give me a solution so that i shoud not face such problems like distraction anymore.

Jul 07, 2014
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learning
by: prasad

At my high school days, i was good at my studies then my mind diverted towards music. Anyhow i was not bad in my studies but now my mind is fully diverted on other things.

How can i concentrate on learning? Can i enjoy learning as before i enjoyed it in my high school days?

Jun 03, 2014
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concentrate
by: S bhanu teja

i cant concentrate on studies i trying but icant focus

May 27, 2014
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give better idea
by: brain washed

My seriousness towards study is getting decreasing day by day. I am not able to concentrate. Please help me out.

Mar 27, 2014
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concentrating more on studies
by: amruta

hi!
Actually what happened is that i was getting 90-95% in my studies but day by day my studies are going down. so what to do to get good marks in studies?

Mar 07, 2014
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Want to learn
by: Rohin

If I open my book, my mind's focused on some other matter. If I want to concentrate in my studies, what can I do for that?

Jan 20, 2014
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MY COMMENT
by: s.abi

It is really gooooood. This will help me for my board exams.

Jan 16, 2014
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very nice for students point of view
by: yogesh

It is good for all those students who are weak in studying. It is my erge to type it in Marathi language.

Dec 17, 2013
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concentration
by: Anjum

Whenever I think about studying, I start to fear. What if i fail? I can't concentrate at all. And I always say, let's do it tommorow. Can u give me any tips?

Nov 10, 2013
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Day dreaming
by: Madhumita

Whenever i start reading, i get distracted by day dreams ,they are so happening that a Lott of time gets wasted...plz tell me how to overcome day dreaming

Aug 23, 2013
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Nice article
by: Anonymous

I liked your article.I hope your suggestions will help me out.

Jul 27, 2013
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Unplug your computer, Turn off your smart phone
by: Douglas - MIT

When it's time to study, many people simply unplug their computer and turn off their cell phone.

If Facebook, or online games, or the Internet is a distraction, power off your electronics until you are finished studying. Save those things as a reward for working hard.

Jun 09, 2013
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Distractions?
by: Anonymous

But what if we get distracted by Facebook? :(
I mean, what can we do to get off Facebook?

Nov 19, 2011
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HEARING MUSIC WHILE STUDYING-IRRITATIONS AND STRESSES
by: Anonymous

MY OPINION IS THAT WHILE STUDYING WE SHOULD NOT KEEP MUSIC BECAUSE OUR CONCENTRATION WILL GO WITH THE MUSIC.FOR SOME PEOPLE IT WILL BE EASY BUT WITHOUT KNOWING THEIR MIND IS MOVING AWAY FROM THEM.IN SOME INSTANCES HEARING MELODY MUSIC WILL PAVE WAY FOR SLEEPING AND YOU FELT SLEEPY,STRAIGHT AWAY TO BED.AT FIRST,I USUALLY DO LIKE THAT.THEN MY MOM CHANGED MY HABIT OF HEARING MUSIC WHILE STUDYING.I AM NOW THANKFUL TO HER.FRIENDS.IF YOUR MOTHER ADVICE ,YOU DON'T REGRET HER.WHAT SHE IS SAYING IS RIGHT.BY YOUR UNKNOWN FRIEND.

Sep 29, 2011
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concentrate on study
by: enna

Cant concentrate in study. When i open the books i feel sleepy. If i study then after some time it goes to think some other things. So tell me plz what i can do.

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