It’s a common experience for many students – you sit down to study or do homework, and suddenly your brain feels like it just stops working properly. You might find yourself reading the same sentences over and over, unable to focus or retain information. Or maybe you simply zone out and can’t concentrate at all. It can be incredibly frustrating when your brain doesn’t cooperate at the exact moment you need it to! So what causes this phenomenon? There are a few key reasons why our brains sometimes go on strike when we try to study.
Reason 1: Overload of Information
One of the most common reasons is that you’re simply trying to cram too much information into your brain at once. When you first start studying a new topic, your brain has to work hard to understand new concepts, terminology, facts and figures. This intake and processing of information requires a lot of mental effort. If you keep cramming more and more content in without giving your brain a break, it can quickly become overloaded.
Think of your brain like a glass – there is only so much water (information) it can hold at one time. If you keep endlessly pouring more water in, eventually it overflows and you end up losing some in the process. Your brain has a similar threshold for how much information it can actively retain and engage with at one time.
Signs of overload
– Inability to focus or concentrate
– Feeling overwhelmed
– Forgetting things you just studied
– Re-reading sentences or paragraphs without retaining info
– Zoning out frequently
What to do
If you notice these signs of overload, it’s time to give your brain a break. Take a 15-20 minute study break and do something relaxing or enjoyable to give your brain time to process the information it just received. Going for a short walk, listening to music, having a snack or chatting with a friend allows your brain to consolidate the new things it learned.
You may feel guilty taking breaks when you have so much studying to do, but research shows that taking regular study breaks actually improves focus, retention and overall learning compared to forcing yourself to sit and study for hours on end. The brain needs downtime to perform at its best!
Reason 2: Lack of Engagement
Another reason your brain may fizzle out when studying is lack of engagement with the material. If you’re purely memorizing facts or details without making connections or actively applying the information, it can feel tedious and boring to your brain. This makes it harder to pay attention and retain the material.
Signs of lack of engagement
– Feeling bored while studying
– Mind wandering frequently
– Not feeling motivated to continue studying
– Difficulty remembering what you studied
What to do
The key is to actively engage and interact with the study material, rather than just passively reading it over and over. Here are some tips:
– Turn study sessions into a Q&A session – create flashcards or have a friend quiz you on key facts, dates, definitions etc.
– Connect new concepts to existing knowledge -figure out how they fit with what you already know.
– Apply and practice using the information – do practice questions or imagine real world examples.
– Teach what you’re learning to someone else – explaining concepts out loud helps cement them.
– Draw visuals like concept maps, diagrams and sketches to visualize relationships between concepts.
The more active mental effort you put in, the more engaged your brain will be!
Reason 3: Distracting Environment
Are you trying to study in an environment filled with disruptions, distractions and things competing for your attention? This makes it tremendously difficult for your brain to focus and retain information. Some common distracting elements include:
Visual distractions
– Clutter and messy surroundings
– Bright lights or shadows
– Screens (TV, computer, phone)
– People walking by
– Movement outside windows
Auditory distractions
– Conversations
– Phone ringing
– Pets making noise
– Music with lyrics
– Doors opening and closing
Physical distractions
– Hunger or thirst
– Discomfort (hot, cold, hard chair)
– Feeling tired or sleepy
Mental distractions
– Worrying about other obligations
– Feeling stressed or anxious
– Thinking about unrelated things
What to do
Do an environmental audit before you start studying. Remove as many sources of distraction and interruption as possible so you can focus fully on learning. Some tips include:
– Choose a quiet space with minimum disturbances
– Declutter your study space
– Put your phone on silent and out of sight
– Use background noise like white noise or instrumental music to mask unavoidable auditory distractions
– Make sure the space is well-lit and comfortable
– Do a brain dump on paper – write down any unrelated thoughts occupying mental space
Reason 4: Mental Fatigue
Have you been studying for hours without a real break? Mental fatigue sets in when you exhaust your brain’s capacity to concentrate. Prolonged periods of focused mental effort will inevitably drain your energy and ability to retain information.
Signs of mental fatigue
– Trouble absorbing new information
– Blurry or strained eyes
– Increased errors or careless mistakes
– Wandering focus/mind drifting
– Impulsiveness or restlessness
– Headaches
What to do
Respect your brain’s limits and avoid marathon study sessions. The optimal time for uninterrupted focused work is about 90 minutes. Take short 5-10 minute breaks every 90 minutes to replenish mental resources. Schedule longer 20-30 minute breaks every few hours to eat, move around and give your brain substantial rest.
It’s also important to get enough sleep, exercise and nutrition to support brain function. Your brain simply cannot operate at peak performance when running on fumes! Be sure to schedule study sessions when you feel naturally alert and energetic.
Reason 5: Stress and Anxiety
Feeling stressed or anxious hijacks mental resources that could be used for studying. When you feel nervous or worried about an exam, all your brain wants to focus on is the perceived threat. Unfortunately, this comes at the expense of being able to retain and apply academic information.
Signs of stress
– Racing thoughts
– Mental blanking/going blank
– Trouble concentrating
– Irritability
– Tension headaches
– Stomach discomfort
– Fatigue
What to do
– Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing, visualization, progressive muscle relaxation.
– Express your feelings – talk it out, write in a journal.
– Get exercise to reduce excess mental energy.
– Listen to relaxing music.
– Practice positive self-talk and affirmations.
– Avoid catastrophizing the consequences of failure.
– Develop a study routine and schedule to feel in control.
Conclusion
It’s completely normal for our brains to have trouble functioning and retaining information when studying. The key is being aware of what causes this phenomenon – from overload to mental exhaustion – and having strategies to create optimal learning conditions tailored to how your brain works best. Pay attention to the signals your brain sends, take study breaks, minimize distractions, engage actively with material, manage stress, and respect mental limits. With a little mindfulness and tweaking your study habits, you can get your brain back on track!