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How do I maintain focus when reading?

When I am trying to read a chapter my mind often drifts off, thinking about random things. Before I know it 30 minutes flew by and I have no idea what I just "read." #studying #student

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Amanda’s Answer

Hi Isaac!

What I found to be helpful with reading or task that needs a higher amount of concentration was implementing the Pomodoro Technique.

Pomodoro Technique
1) Choose a task to be accomplished.
2) Set the Pomodoro to 25 minutes (the Pomodoro is the timer)
3) Work on the task until the Pomodoro rings, then put a check on your sheet of paper
4) Take a short break (5 minutes)
5) Every 4 Pomodoros take a longer break

This method helps your brain stay focused, while also giving you short breaks so your brain won't fatigue.

Check out the link below for more details:
https://lifehacker.com/productivity-101-a-primer-to-the-pomodoro-technique-1598992730

Goodluck!
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Lucas’s Answer

Try listening to white noise with earphones in, stops outside sounds distracting to you. Or classic music. Quite room. Be alone. Read when you're most awake.
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Bridie’s Answer

Remove distractions while you are reading and don't get too comfortable! I would also limit reading to 30 minute slots so you stay focused.
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MORENA’s Answer

To maintain focus while reading, make sure you are in a quite room with no distractions like TV, Radio., etc. Then read loud to yourself to memorize.
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Michael’s Answer

What works for me is to take notes. I read a little then put a key idea in the middle of a page, draw a circle around it, and draw lines out from it and add other things that I think are connected; things I just read. It is called mind mapping. Look it up online.
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Katie’s Answer

Hi Isaac! This is a good question! I had trouble with this myself. What I found was most effective was reading with a pen in hand. As I read through the text I would make notes and underline things as I went along. Further, after each paragraph I would write a quick summary/note of what I just read. This could be as short as one or two words but just enough to remind you of what you read.


When I had finished the chapter/section/assignment/etc. I would take a piece of paper and flip through what I had just read and make high level notes on what was important in that section, key terms/dates/people/ or what ever else you might need later to review.


This might sound like a lot but it definitely keeps you focused and helps when you go back to review!
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Lloyd’s Answer

I have found that audiobooks work for me. I don't have to read with my eyes and be stationary. With ear buds on, I can take a walk, run, be on a stationary bike, preparing meals, doing the laundry, gardening, etc, and listen to the book at the same time. This lessens the possibility of drifting off. A good narrator can also make a book more interesting. I used to not be able to read much, but I have recently finished a lot of audiobooks. You can try and see if it works for you.
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Marsella’s Answer

Hi Isaac,


I think the first step is to identify the type or purpose of reading you will be doing, is for leisure or duty. If it's for leisure and you are having a hard time focusing you might want to determine how much time you want to invest in it, for example, until you finish one chapter and then evaluate if it's worth continuing to read. At the end, the purpose of it is to entertain yourself, and maybe that topic is not for you.


On the other hand, if it's for duty, i.e. work/school, what I do if set an environment that promotes reading, I will look for a spot where I can get some sun, put some classical musical or music specifically to help concentrate while reading (there are some really great ones in YouTube). Then, depending on the amount I have to read for a certain date, I will set a reasonable goal, for example, into 5 days, and each day I will dive it into 2 sessions, so at the end the period of reading is a reasonable amount of time. Likewise, I am conscious about my reading, when my head starts to wonder, I remind myself that I need to finish my goal of pages for that time before I can do something else.


Hope this tips help you achieve a more focused reading!

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