Have you ever felt the familiar feeling of fatigue and exhaustion that comes not long after starting your study session? No matter how much you tell yourself you’ll eventually snap out of it, you simply can’t concentrate on the words in your textbooks and lecture notes.
Studying is an essential part of academic life, but for many, it comes with an unexpected challenge: the relentless urge to sleep. Getting tired of studying is not abnormal.
As a matter of fact, anything that consumes mental energy is bound to drain you down. However, it’s important to understand this phenomenon in order to optimize our efforts and get better efficiency in our results.
Why Do I Get Tired While Studying? 10 Causes
People get tired after a few hours of studying because it requires intense concentration, which requires willpower and limited mental resources. It is best to break up studying into chunks, with short breaks periods in between intervals of studying in order to recharge your will power.
Here, we will be highlighting the possible reasons why most people get tired while studying, Let’s delve in:
1. You’re physically unwell
Besides the usual fuzzy vision you get from straining your eyes too much (which can also make you tired), there are other physical factors that may be the cause for your exhaustion while studying.
One reason could be because you are falling sick. If you feel like this could be the reason, give yourself a boost by taking vitamin C supplements or effervescent tablets and having a rest till you feel better.
If you’re all too familiar with headaches, loss of appetite and insomnia during your study sessions, you may also be going through a mental block that’s taking a toll on your body. The stress you’re feeling in your head may be displayed as physical symptoms in the form of illnesses and physical pain, even though your body is in tip-top shape.
So how can you overcome both mental and physical fatigue? Simply by incorporating everything good into your study sessions. Make sure you eat the right foods, drink enough water (at least 8 glasses a day), take sufficient breaks in between study sessions and most importantly, get enough sleep (scientists recommend an average of 7–9 hours of sleep for college students).
Of course, there are various other factors that can cause you to feel sleepy when you’re studying. It could be as simple as feeling bored of your revision content. But if you’re noticing a change in pattern and don’t feel so good, you can switch up your study routine and check in on your health.
2. You’re going through a brain strain
Why do you get tired of studying going through a brain strain? Did you know that constant studying with little to no breaks can tire your brain, causing you to lose focus? When this happens, it may seem as if the words in your notes are swimming around and the pictures in your textbook are jumping out at you.
The reason for this is because although the brain is only 2% of our body weight, it uses 20% of the energy we consume. And the more we use our brain to perform mental tasks, the more energy (i.e. glucose) is being used.
This results in less glucose in the blood for other parts of the body, leading you to feel extreme exhaustion after long hours of thinking.
The solution to this? Feed your brain with the right foods, which leads us to our next point.
3. You’re suffering from burnout
If you’ve noticed a drastic change in your study behavior compared to when you first started out, it could be due to burnout. For example, you have always been at the top of your game in the past, but lately, it’s just been a constant slump and you’re just pushing yourself through for the sake of it.
Described as “chronic stress”, burnouts can lead to physical and emotional exhaustion, detachment, feelings of ineffectiveness and lack of accomplishment. Because of this, you’re simply not motivated to go through with your studies anymore.
But don’t be afraid; there are many ways you can recover from a burnout and prevent it from ever happening again. This includes taking well deserved breaks and scheduling alone time for some self-reflection. With some effort and self-care, you’ll bounce back in no time.
4. You Are Lacking Nourishment
You might be lacking good food that contains a lot of nutrients for you to study well. And even if you do have 3 meals a day, you may be lacking certain types of food that will fuel both your brain and body, given your penchant for instant noodles and fast food during this critical time.
Exam period often means skipping meals to focus on your studies. It’s important to eat well to boost your brain’s superpowers.
If you want to increase memory and concentration Munch on sage, blueberries and pumpkin seeds.
To lift your mood, nosh on salmon, mackerel, soya beans and chia seeds. Most importantly, if you want to avoid brain strain and have a steady supply of energy throughout the day, opt for whole grain bread and rice over the white version.
5. Your study environment might be weighing you down
You should be well aware of how important your physical study space is—not studying on the bed, getting rid of clutter on your desk and studying in a brightly lit environment.
However, your ambience plays a crucial role too. You may feel comfy sitting on your padded seat by the window with steady light streaming in, but if your other senses are frequently disturbed, then you are more likely to feel tired faster.
A distracting or uncomfortable study environment can lead to fatigue. Noise, clutter, or poor lighting can make it harder to concentrate.
6. Either change your interest or change your studies
The reason for getting tired while studying is that you are not completely interested in what you are reading. You do not have a curiosity or appetite for the knowledge you are about to gain. So stop studying for the sake of studying. Study for your own development and empowerment.
- Drop the attitude that you are doing a huge favor to your family and friends by studying. Study is an activity that must be self-induced and for personal development and satisfaction.
- Do not work hard but work smart, read and learn what you like to know, do not follow reading habits as to how others do it. Always maintain your own style and methods.
- Do not compete with others; you are a different individual and so your abilities and weaknesses are also different. Don’t try to follow other people’s schedules and systems.
- Do not take up too many academic resources. Take up one module or book that suits your understanding and stick to it. Do not try to gain expertise by reading too many publications and ending up confused.
- Always go for the clarity and depth of the content instead of bulk of content. Do not drop one topic unless you are completely thorough with that. This will also help you gain self-confidence.
- Develop a time table as to what hours are convenient to you for studies. Do not be rigid for it but do try to follow it.
- Before starting to study, know and evaluate what are the concepts that you need to know more and what are the ones that you are clear with. This will help you avoid taking time for reading that you already know about.
- Last but most important, study for the sake of your own thirst for knowledge. Have the attitude that you are studying not for the sake of society or a job but to develop your own self.
7. Mental Fatigue
Studying requires intense concentration and cognitive effort. Prolonged periods of focus can lead to mental exhaustion, especially if you’re trying to absorb complex material.
8. Physical Fatigue
If you’re sitting for long periods without breaks, your body can become fatigued. This is compounded if you’re not maintaining good posture or if your study environment is uncomfortable.
9. Lack of Sleep
Insufficient sleep can significantly impact your ability to focus and retain information. If you’re not well rested, your body and mind can feel sluggish.
10. Study Techniques
Ineffective study methods can lead to frustration and fatigue. If you’re not engaging with the material in a way that works for you, it can feel more tiring.
How To Overcome Getting Tired While Studying
- Take a nap
- Experiment to find out what time is best for you to study in the day; find out the best time you are energetic and most alert. Plan to study then.
- Try studying somewhere other than your desk until you get some better study habits.
- Reward yourself for staying focused and accomplishing study tasks. Read a required chapter and then have a hot chocolate or a short session at a computer game.
Conclusion
The brain is a highly energy-demanding organ, and prolonged periods of concentration can lead to mental exhaustion. When your brain is working hard to absorb and process information, it consumes glucose, and as glucose levels drop, so does your alertness, causing you to feel so tired.
