Study Methods to Enhance Focus and Concentration
As parents, educators, and executive function coaches, helping students—especially those with ADHD or other focus challenges—develop good work habits is essential. One of the most common struggles faced by individuals with ADHD is managing their mental energy and avoiding burnout. By integrating cognitive load theory, time management, and the body double technique into their study routine, we can offer practical solutions to enhance focus and concentration using effective study methods.
Cognitive Load Theory and Study Techniques
Cognitive Load Theory emphasizes that our working memory has limited capacity, and overloading it can lead to poor task performance. For students with ADHD, this becomes an especially important study tip. The idea is to prioritize tasks based on their cognitive demand, tackling more challenging tasks first when mental energy is highest. For example, Charlie, who is working on a lab protocol and her grad school essay, needs to assess which task requires more brain power. The essay, being more mentally demanding, should be done first when she is most alert, while the lab protocol, a less strenuous task, can be completed later when her energy starts to dip.
A 2024 study by Sweller et al. supports this approach, showing that individuals perform better when they match tasks to their cognitive resources. High-demand tasks should be tackled when mental capacity is at its peak, reducing errors and improving efficiency. Encouraging students to become aware of their cognitive limits and prioritizing tasks accordingly will help them feel less overwhelmed and improve focus. This is one of the most powerful study techniques for enhancing productivity and performance.
Time Management and Prioritization in Study Methods
Effective time management goes hand in hand with task prioritization. Students with ADHD often struggle to estimate how long tasks will take or to understand when they are at their mental best. Helping students learn to organize tasks based on their current capacity to focus can alleviate stress and help them get more done in less time. A 2021 study in the Journal of Educational Psychology highlights that prioritizing tasks according to cognitive demand is an effective way to improve both performance and study methods.
By teaching students to start their day with the hardest task when their energy levels are highest, and saving simpler tasks for later, we allow them to manage their mental resources efficiently. Just as Charlie saved her lab protocol for later in the day when she was more tired, students can learn to apply this concept to their own schedules. These study tips can make a significant difference in how students tackle their academic workload.
The Body Double Technique as a Key Study Tip
One of the most effective study tips in an executive function coach’s toolbox for managing focus challenges is the Body Double technique. This method involves working alongside someone else to increase focus. For students with ADHD, the presence of another person working nearby can help provide structure and accountability, reducing distractions.
Parents can play a key role in implementing this technique at home. Acting as a body double, parents can sit with their children during study time, working on their own tasks (such as answering emails or organizing schedules). This models productive behavior and shows children how to stay on task without becoming overly dependent on parental help. The goal is to guide them through how to prioritize and focus, while allowing them to develop their own independence—an invaluable study method for fostering self-sufficiency.
Importance of Setting Expectations Based on Mental Capacity for Better Study Techniques
Managing mental capacity is especially crucial for students with ADHD, who may struggle with knowing when and how to shift gears. As parents and coaches, we can help by setting realistic expectations for how long focus can be maintained, and guiding students in determining what work should be prioritized based on their current energy levels. Studies like the one by Claessens et al. (2020) show that effective task prioritization improves overall performance by allowing students to work within their cognitive limits.
By starting with harder, more mentally demanding tasks, students can make the most of their higher energy levels. Afterward, they can switch to less demanding tasks, such as reading or outlining, when their focus begins to wane. These are critical study techniques for sustaining concentration over longer periods.
Conclusion: The Role of an Executive Functions Coach in Developing Effective Study Methods
An executive functions coach can be invaluable in helping students develop and refine these study methods. Coaches work with students to identify strategies like cognitive load management and time prioritization that fit their unique needs. Importantly, a coach can assist students in finding the right types of breaks during study sessions and in helping them set realistic expectations for what can be accomplished in a given time frame.
Coaches, alongside parents, can help students learn to balance harder tasks with less demanding ones, ensuring they don’t feel overwhelmed. The Pomodoro Technique, combined with the body double method, can significantly enhance a student’s ability to focus and complete their work effectively.
Ready to unlock your child’s full potential? Schedule a consultation with one of our executive function coaches today and discover personalized strategies for improved focus and concentration.
