Attention combines many brain processes in
order to effectively select relevant information (and exclude other stimuli)
from our environment. Attention is essentially our internal spotlight - it
helps highlight important things and tune out the rest!
But here is the catch: Our attention has a
limited capacity - it is not a bottomless pit but more like a carry-on
suitcase! You can only pack what is relevant. Stimuli are constantly selected
and unselected depending on our needs at the time (Mackay 1973).
However, as we have a limited capacity when
it comes to attention, it is unlikely that all information presented is
processed. So, while our brain is clever, it has its limits and can’t process
everything we interact with - it only processes what it thinks is important.
There are two main types of attention we
need to know about when it comes to studying:
-
Focused attention: This is your
ability to zero in on one thing.
-
Divided attention: Also known
as multi-tasking, this is when you attend to two or more tasks at the same
time.
If we are honest - we have all at one point tried studying whilst watching a show, munching on snacks or listening to our favourite songs - and this is multi-tasking in action! However, not all tasks are equal. Efficient multi-tasking depends on how similar tasks are, how practiced the task is and how much brainpower they demand.
This is called the Load Theory of divided attention (Lavie N., 2004). In short, this theory suggests that the harder the task (a high load task), the more attention and energy is required. The difficulty of a task is different for everyone - for example, some people might need little focus when tying shoelaces while others need to use a lot of their attention. It is suggested that low load (easy) tasks allow for more resources to be used to process other things.
Now let’s talk about automaticity - a fancy word for when we do a task frequently, we can do it without much effort! Think of brushing your teeth - it is our ability to automatically attend to a task. Automaticity suggests that the attentional demands of a task can be reduced with practice, subsequently allowing us to divide our limited attention amongst more tasks (Shiffirin & Schneider, 1977).
“So, if I practice a maths equation enough, it will become automatic, and I can do it while watching TikTok?”- Not quite! This is because, while a task can become automatic and need little attention, it doesn’t mean the task will be completed accurately. Take driving, for example, even if you have driven a thousand times, it’s still a high-load task. Trying to multi-task while driving (or cramming for exams) can lead to poor quality results.
So, think of it this way, if you study the content for exams frequently, it will eventually become easy to remember but if you divide your attention whilst doing this study - the content will take longer to learn, and it won’t be as productive or efficient of a study session.
Now that we have discussed what attention is and the abilities and impacts of dividing attention, let’s talk about how we actually stay focused when studying:
- Frequent breaks: like we’ve discussed, our attention is limited and isn’t built for marathon study sessions! After a while, our brain will lose focus on studying and try to find something more engaging or necessary to direct our attention to. So, give your brain a breather! A short walk, a stretch or a snack can reset this focus - just avoid diving into anything too mentally demanding (looking at you Netflix).
- Practice and Recall: The more we practice something, the easier it becomes for our brain. Repetition turns hard content into familiar territory! So, continuously reviewing content that you’ve already studied will help exercise your memory and keep you focused for longer - don’t get caught up on content that you find difficult because the more you review and practice it, the easier it will become.
- Technology: Something to remember is that technology and internet platforms have the main objective of keeping our attention - think autoplay, notifications and endless scrolling features - these are designed to keep us engaged and direct us to spend time on tasks we may not have intended! So, being aware of how our attention is marketed and managed is important when staying focused during studying.
Additional Resource: Tristan Harris (2017). How a handful of tech companies control billions of minds every day. TedTalk.
Attention is your brain’s spotlight, and it helps you tune out the noise and focus on what matters. Whether you are prepping for exams or powering through revision, understanding how your attention works gives you a real edge! With regular breaks, smart practice and a healthy amount of internet-awareness, you can study more effectively and stay on track.
