Can't focus while studying? Use your lazy brain.
Aalsi dimaag = topper. 3 tricks that make focus the easy option.
Your brain likes shortcuts and saving energy. Instead of fighting that, make focus the easy option: put your phone far away so checking it takes effort, study only at a table so your brain links that place with work, and sit upright so your body signals that this is important.
Trick 1: Keep the phone far away
If the phone is on your desk, checking it costs one second. Put it in another room or a drawer where it takes at least 20 seconds to get. A lazy brain will usually decide it is not worth the effort.
Even a silent phone that is just visible can pull on your attention. In one study, people did worse on thinking tasks when their phone was on the desk than when it was in another room (Ward and colleagues, 2017).
Trick 2: Never study on the bed
Your brain runs on autopilot and learns from places. If the bed is where you sleep and scroll, lying on it switches on "rest mode". Sleep experts use the same idea to treat insomnia: keep the bed only for sleep, so the brain links it with sleep (stimulus control).
Make the table your study place. Over time, just sitting there starts to switch on "work mode".
Trick 3: Sit upright
Slumping tells your body it is time to relax. Sitting straight feels more alert. Research on posture is still developing, but studies have found that people sitting upright reported feeling more alert and less low than people who slumped (Nair and colleagues, 2015). It costs nothing, so try it.
Quick checklist
- 📵 Phone at least 20 seconds away
- 🪑 Study only at a table
- 🧍 Sit upright, feet on the floor
Questions students ask
🤔Is putting the phone on silent enough?
Often not. A visible phone can still distract you. Distance works better than silence.
⏳Why do I feel sleepy when I study on the bed?
Your brain has linked the bed with rest. Studying at a table breaks that link.
🗣️How long should I study before a break?
Many students do well with 25 to 50 minutes of focus followed by a 5 to 10 minute break away from the screen.
📱Is there an app to help me focus while studying?
Yes. Reviso: AI Revision & MCQs (our app) has a 25-minute Pomodoro Focus mode and a daily study streak. It is free to download with a free plan, and Reviso Pro unlocks unlimited MCQs and flashcards.
Read next
Why do I forget what I study?→When should you revise a chapter?→Is re-reading your notes a waste of time?→This article is for general study guidance. Research is described in simple words; names and years are given so you can look up the original studies.
