Find a quiet place to study. Loud noises, other people and other external stimuli can break your focus. Go to a library or school study space or create a quiet place in your living area. If you live with others, let them know that you will be studying and ask that they be quiet, as a peaceful study space is the first step towards mental focus.
Get enough sleep. It's easy to think that studying all night before the big test will help, but in reality, lack of sleep can destroy your ability to focus. If you're feeling tired and are having more trouble than usual focusing, try a 20-minute nap.
Eat a snack and drink some water. Your body and brain need nutrients and water to work optimally. Go for a high-fiber snack or a piece of fruit. Eat just enough to feel energized and not so much that you feel heavy or too full.
Get up and stretch every 45 minutes. This gets your blood moving and increases circulation to your brain. Put your arms above your head, shake out your arms and legs, and walk around for a couple of minutes. Taking small breaks increases your focus and makes it easier to study for longer stretches of time.
Decide to work for a certain length of time and set a timer. If you're really having trouble focusing, tell yourself that you'll focus for 10 minutes and set a timer for that time. After you have completed that exercise give yourself a few minutes to grab a snack or walk around. If you get used to focusing in small bursts you'll soon be able to focus for much longer periods of time.
Practice focusing throughout the day. When you're doing a small task, such as chopping vegetables or cleaning, focus your mind gently on the task and pay close attention to your movements. This is also known as "mindfulness meditation," and it can help you get used to focusing on a particular task.