How to increase concentration in studying: surviving the winter session

Those who have studied at university have Remember well: the winter session is the most arduous of the academic year. It's not just about the study load or the proximity to the holidays but of the presence of environmental and biological factors that make it more difficult to focus.

How to increase the concentration in studying? It is not a simple matter of willpower, but a management challenge neurobiological. The winning strategy requires an integrated approach: exposure to light, active study techniques and adequate support nutritional aspects are essential to support cognitive performance.

Why it's harder Focus on the winter session? 

In winter, the body responds to signals specific environmental aspects that promote rest rather than activity Intense Cognitive:

• Light and rhythm circadian. Reduced exposure to light during short days stimulates a greater production of melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep, even during the day. This results in a constant feeling of drowsiness and less alertness mental.
• The trap comfort. The cold instinctively pushes us to seek warmth, covering ourselves excessively or raising the heating. However, an environment that is too hot induces vasodilation and muscle relaxation, signals that the brain interprets as a moment of rest, lowering the threshold of attention.

How to wake up your brain to study?

Under these conditions, reading passive is ineffective. To keep your brain awake, you need to use techniques that require active and cadenced involvement:

• Pomodoro technique. It consists of alternating intense focus (25 min) and short break (5 min). In this way, it prevents fatigue fragmenting the cognitive load into manageable blocks.
• Active recall (active recall)tag. To put in place practice this method, it is enough to close the book and force yourself to repeat concepts by heart or in writing. Stimulates synapses to recover information, reinforcing the memory more than rereading.
• Repetition spaced repetition. It works by reviewing study topics at increasing time intervals (1 day, 3 days, 1 week). This study technique is effective in counteracting the forgetting curve and consolidates information in long-term memory term.

Nutrition and hydration for a greater focus on studying 

During the winter, instinct leads often looking for comfort foods rich in carbohydrates and simple sugars. Although they offer gratification These foods cause glycemic spikes followed by rapid collapses, responsible for mental fog and post-prandial sleepiness.

To maintain constant levels of focus during long sessions on books, it is crucial to avoid glycemic instability. The use of nootropic functional drinks without added sugars is a strategic solution: it promotes proper hydration and allows you to support concentration through specific nutrients. S-Nap Shot was designed precisely for this: charging the mind with brain fuel.

What is the optimal environment To increase concentration in studying?

The environment of study must be designed to counteract winter torpor. Here are some practical tricks to adopt Right away:

• Lighting. Avoid warm, soft lights that reconcile sleep. Use cold (blue spectrum) or neutral light lamps to simulate daylight and inhibit melatonin production.
• Ventilation. In closed and heated environments, the carbon dioxide levels rise rapidly, causing headaches and tiredness. Ventilating the room for 5 minutes every hour is essential for reoxygenate the brain.
• Digital detox. The smartphone is a source of distraction constant visual vision. During study blocks, keep it in another room, or Set notifications to reduce digital distractions.

Winter session and Study: the most frequently asked questions

What is the best time to study in winter?

We recommend that you take advantage of the hours in the morning, when natural light is present, to maximize alertness and deal with the most complex subjects.

How not to fall asleep on Books after lunch? 

Avoid heavy meals rich in carbohydrates. Opt for protein and vegetables, and include an active micro-break as a short walk right after eating, avoiding sofas or beds.

How long should the Breaks?

5-10 minutes every hour is ideal. They must be real breaks: taking your eyes off the screens and moving, so as not to lose the mental flow but to allow the visual and cognitive system to recharge.