Studying can seem extremely overwhelming, especially when you are overloaded with other activities like sports and homework. It is easy for a teen to procrastinate or feel unmotivated to be productive, but over time, I have discovered a couple of study tips that help me stay focused without frying my brain. These tips may not work for everyone, but they have helped me a lot.

1. Break studying into smaller sessions

Studying for hours on end does not always work for me. These days, the attention span of people has significantly decreased over time because of stimulation from phones, the internet, multitasking, and stress. According to the American Psychological Association, a study done by Gloria Mark, PhD, of the University of California Irvine, shows that people could focus on a screen for an average of 2.5 minutes, which dropped to 75 seconds in 2012, and is now under 50 seconds (roughly 47 seconds in recent studies). Short sessions help me stay focused and avoid burning out. Having breaks in between is important as well, but you should go for a quick snack or walk instead of doom-scrolling on social media.

2. One Tab Rule

The one tab rule is a good way to maintain focus. You should allow your mind to concentrate on one task and one screen. Multi-tasking is a horrible way to get things done. It increases stress, depletes your mental energy, and increases the likelihood of making mistakes while working. When you multitask, you are just switching your focus between short time periods, and preventing yourself from getting into a “flow state.”

3. Moving Around

Movement resets mental fatigue. People talk about the physical benefits of exercising, but they also forget about the massive cognitive benefits, too. You should exercise daily, even if it’s just a 10-minute walk after a study session.

4. Time Block Your Entire Schedule

It is important to manage one’s time wisely. Even if you do not follow exactly what you schedule, having an idea of what tasks you need to complete for the day and estimating how much time each task takes is a great way to help with productivity. You can get more hours of sleep by knowing when to get things done during the day. If you do not assign a time for a task, then it does not exist.

5. Blur Test

Instead of just reading your notes and trying to memorize the information you read, you should be able to recall the information that you study. A great way to do this is to grab a blank sheet of paper and try to write down as much as you can about the topic you are studying. You can do this over and over again until you know everything in your notes. This way, you can ensure that you will be able to recall the information during an exam.

Everybody uses different techniques to study. The most important thing is that you find certain habits that work for you. Small changes like these tips that I have provided can make studying feel less stressful and more manageable.