How to Stay Focused While Studying for WAEC

If you’re getting ready for WAEC, you already know it’s not easy to sit down and study every day. Many students start strong but lose focus after a few days. You might sit with your books, but your mind goes somewhere else, maybe your phone, food, or even sleep.

I’ve been there before, and I know how hard it can be. The thing is, you can train your mind to focus better if you use some small tricks that really work. In this article, I’ll show you simple ways to stay focused while studying for WAEC, even if you easily get distracted.

Who this article is for

This article is for:

• Students who are preparing for WAEC in Nigeria and find it hard to stay focused.
• People who want a clear plan they can follow every day.
• Those who want to study smart, not just long hours.

What you will learn

By the end of this article, you’ll learn how to:

• Set small, easy goals for studying.
• Create a calm place where you can focus.
• Use short breaks and right study times.
• Control your phone and social media.
• Keep your body and mind ready for study.

I’ll share tips that I’ve used myself and seen other WAEC students use successfully.

Set a Simple Study Goal

When it comes to studying for WAEC, many students try to read everything at once. That’s one of the biggest mistakes you can make. If you want to stay focused, start small and simple.

Pick One Subject and One Topic Each Time

Don’t open three subjects at the same time; it only confuses your brain. Choose one subject and stick to one topic until you understand it.
For example:

• Maths: Focus only on “Simultaneous Equations”.
• English: Focus on “Essay Writing”.
• Biology: Focus on “The Human Circulatory System”.

When you finish that one topic, you’ll feel proud and ready for the next one. That small win helps your mind stay active.

Tip: Keep a small notebook where you write what topic you studied each day. This helps you track your progress easily.
Read also: NECO Areas of Concentration for All Subjects 2025

Use Short Goals You Can Finish Today

Instead of saying, “I will study for 5 hours,” say something like, “I will finish one past question paper” or “I will read two pages and write notes.”
When you finish that short goal, give yourself a break or a small treat.

Short goals keep you motivated; long ones make you tired and bored.

Make a Calm Study Place

If you want to stay focused, your study place must help your brain relax. You can’t study well in a noisy or messy place.

What a Calm Place Looks Like

A calm study place doesn’t have to be fancy. Just make sure it’s:

• Quiet: No loud music or TV.
• Bright: Good light so your eyes don’t get tired.
• Clean: A clear table helps your mind stay clear too.
• Comfortable: A good chair and table; not lying on the bed.

If your house is noisy, you can use earphones or go to a library. Even under a tree in your compound can work, as long as it’s peaceful.

What to Remove from the Place (Distraction List)

Before you start studying, remove anything that can take your attention.
Here’s a quick list to guide you:

Things to Remove	Why You Should Remove It
Phone	You’ll check messages instead of reading.
Food/snacks	You’ll keep eating and lose time.
Extra books	They make your table look busy.
TV or radio	The noise breaks your focus.
Other people	Too much talk distracts your brain.

Keep only what you need for that topic.
When your space is simple, your focus becomes stronger.

Use a Study Plan You Can Keep

One big reason students lose focus is because they don’t have a clear plan. You sit down to study, but you don’t know where to start or stop. A plan helps you stay steady and avoid wasting time.

Short Daily Plan Example

Try this simple daily plan idea.
Don’t make it too hard; keep it real.

Time	What to Do
7:00 am – 8:00 am	Read one WAEC topic (e.g. English Essay Writing)
8:00 am – 8:15 am	Take a short break (stretch, drink water)
8:15 am – 9:00 am	Practice questions on that topic
9:00 am – 9:30 am	Check your answers and note your weak points

Even if you just follow this for two hours, it’s enough for one session. You can repeat it later in the day for another subject.

Weekly Plan Idea

If you plan your week, you’ll know what to study each day without confusion.
Here’s a simple 7-day WAEC study plan you can copy:

Day	Subject	Focus Area
Monday	English	Essay & Summary
Tuesday	Maths	Algebra & Word Problems
Wednesday	Biology	Cells & Tissues
Thursday	Chemistry	Acids, Bases & Salts
Friday	Government	Constitution & Democracy
Saturday	Physics	Light & Motion
Sunday	Revision	Past Questions & Notes

Tip: Don’t skip revision on Sunday. That’s the day your brain connects everything you’ve read during the week.

The thing is, a plan only works when you keep it simple and follow it daily.

Everyone has a time when their brain works best. Some people understand better in the morning, while others like to read at night. Knowing your best time helps you focus faster and remember more.

Find Your Best Time

Try reading at different times of the day and see when your mind feels sharpest.
Ask yourself:

• Do I understand better early in the morning?
• Do I stay awake longer at night?
• When do I feel least tired?

Once you find your best time, make that your main study time every day.
For example, if you focus well in the morning, wake up early and read before others start making noise.

Don’t copy your friend’s timetable; build one that fits you.

Work in Short Time Blocks; Rest Between Blocks

Long study hours can drain your mind. Instead, use short blocks like this:

• 25 minutes study
• 5 minute break

After two or three blocks, take a longer break (maybe 20–30 minutes).
This method helps your brain stay fresh, not tired.

During breaks:

• Walk around a bit
• Drink water
• Stretch your body
• Avoid checking your phone too long

Short breaks keep your focus alive and stop you from burning out.

Try Study Methods That Help Focus

Sometimes, the way you study makes you lose focus without even knowing it. If you only read and don’t do anything else, your mind will soon wander. You need study methods that make you active, not bored.

Active Study: Practice Questions and Short Notes

When you read a topic, don’t just look at the words; do something with it.
Here are some active ways to study:

• Try past WAEC questions after reading.
• Write short notes in your own words.
• Use highlighters for key points.
• Read examples out loud.

If you just read and move on, you’ll forget fast. But when you practice questions, your brain learns faster and remembers longer.

WAEC always repeats question types, so practice helps you spot patterns.

Teach Someone or Say Out Loud What You Learned

Another good way to stay focused is to act like a teacher.
After reading a topic, try explaining it to:

• A friend
• Your younger sibling
• Even to yourself in front of a mirror

When you teach, you find out if you truly understand the topic. It also helps you speak with confidence during exams like the oral English test.

If you can teach it, you already know it.
Read also: 5 Things You Must Know About JAMB Admission in 2025/2026

Deal With Phone and Social Media

Phones are one of the biggest enemies of focus. You say you’ll just check one message, and before you know it, one hour is gone. If you want to stay focused while studying for WAEC, you must control how you use your phone.

Simple Phone Rules While Studying

You don’t have to throw away your phone; just control it.
Here are some small rules that really help:

Phone Rule	How It Helps
Keep your phone in another room	You won’t be tempted to check it every minute.
Turn off data while reading	Stops social media notifications.
Tell friends you’ll be offline for 1–2 hours	They won’t disturb you with calls or chats.
Use “Do Not Disturb” mode	Keeps your study time quiet.
Only use the phone for study apps	Example: dictionary, timer, or past questions app.

You’ll be surprised how much more you learn when your phone is not close.

Apps or Small Tricks to Block Distractions

If you must use your phone for studying, you can try some apps that help you focus.
Some good ones are:

• Forest: Grows a tree while you stay off your phone.
• Stay Focused: Blocks social media for a set time.
• Focus To-Do: Combines timer and task list together.

Or, you can just put your phone on flight mode and set a timer for 30 minutes.
When the timer rings, you can check your phone for 5 minutes, then go back to reading.

Your phone should serve you; not distract you.

Keep Your Body and Mind Ready

If your body is tired, hungry, or stressed, it’s hard to focus no matter how serious you are. So you need to take care of yourself while preparing for WAEC.

Sleep, Food, and Short Exercise

Many students think reading all night helps, but it doesn’t. Your brain needs rest to remember things.

Here’s a simple balance you can keep:

What to Do	Why It Helps
Sleep at least 6–8 hours	Your brain stores what you’ve studied.
Eat real food (not just snacks)	Gives energy to stay focused.
Drink water often	Keeps your brain active and fresh.
Stretch or walk a bit after long study time	Boosts blood flow and clears your head.

You don’t need a gym; just small movements like stretching or walking around the house can wake your mind up.

What to Do When You Feel Tired or Stressed

It’s normal to feel tired, especially if you’ve been studying for hours. When that happens:

• Close your books and rest your eyes.
• Listen to calm music or take a short nap.
• Talk to someone who encourages you.
• Pray or meditate for peace of mind.

Don’t force yourself when you’re weak; rest a bit, then come back stronger.
WAEC preparation is a journey, not a race.

Small Rewards and Habits

If you study every day without any fun or reward, your brain gets bored fast. That’s why it’s good to give yourself small treats when you finish a study session. It keeps you happy and ready for the next one.

Give Yourself Small Treats When You Finish a Block

When you complete a topic or finish your daily goal, reward yourself a little. It could be:

• Watching a short video
• Eating your favorite snack
• Taking a short nap
• Listening to music

Small rewards tell your brain, “Good job, keep going!”
Don’t wait till you finish the whole WAEC syllabus before you celebrate small wins.

Make Good Habits Slowly; Start Small

Good study habits grow with time; they don’t start big.
Try doing these small things every day:

• Read for just one hour daily at the same time.
• Revise old topics every Sunday.
• Keep your study place clean before and after reading.
• Put your phone away before you open your book.

After a few weeks, these small actions will become part of you.
That’s how serious students prepare for WAEC without giving up.

It’s not about doing too much at once; it’s about doing something small every day.

Track Progress and Change When Needed

You can’t know if your study plan is working unless you check your progress. Tracking helps you see what’s helping and what’s wasting your time.

Quick Ways to Check If a Plan Is Working

Every few days, ask yourself:

• Did I finish my daily goals this week?
• Do I remember what I studied last time?
• Am I scoring better in past questions?

If your answers are mostly “yes”, then you’re on the right track.
If not, don’t worry; just make small changes.

You can also use a simple notebook or chart like this:

Week	Subjects Studied	Topics Done	Score in Practice Test	Comment
Week 1	English, Maths	Essay Writing, Algebra	55%	Need more practice
Week 2	Biology, Chemistry	Cells, Acids	68%	Improving
Week 3	Government, Physics	Constitution, Light	74%	Doing well

Writing your progress helps you feel proud and motivated.
Read also: How to Set Realistic Goals for NECO in Nigeria | Simple Student Guide

How to Change the Plan If It’s Not Working

If you keep missing your study goals, don’t quit; just adjust things a bit:

• Change your study time to when you feel more awake.
• Try studying with a friend who is serious.
• Pick easier topics first to build confidence.
• Reduce your daily goals if they’re too much.

The goal is not perfection; it’s progress.
Even small improvement means you’re moving forward.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many students preparing for WAEC face the same problems that make them lose focus. Knowing these mistakes early can save you time and stress.

Trying to Study Too Long at Once

Some students think reading for 6 or 7 hours nonstop means they’re serious. But after a while, your brain stops paying attention. You’ll just be staring at the book without learning anything.

Instead:

• Study for shorter times (25–45 minutes).
• Take small breaks after each session.
• Don’t compare yourself with people who read overnight; find your own rhythm.

It’s not how long you read, but how well you understand.

Not Practicing Past Questions and Past Papers

Another big mistake is waiting till exam time before opening WAEC past questions. Those past papers show you the real exam style.
Practice them early and often.

Here’s what to do:

• Solve one subject’s past questions each week.
• Mark yourself honestly.
• Focus more on questions you failed.
• Ask your teacher or classmate to explain where you got confused.

WAEC often repeats similar questions, so past papers are like free clues.
Don’t miss that chance.

5 Useful FAQs About Staying Focused for WAEC

Here are some common questions students like you often ask. I’ve answered them in a simple and honest way.

Conclusion

Staying focused while studying for WAEC is not about reading all day or being the smartest in class. It’s about building small habits that help your mind stay clear and steady.
Let’s quickly recap what you’ve learned:

• Set small, clear study goals.
• Keep your study place calm and simple.
• Follow a daily and weekly plan you can actually keep.
• Find your best study time and use short breaks.
• Practice past questions; don’t just read notes.
• Control your phone and social media.
• Take care of your body; sleep and eat well.
• Reward yourself for small wins and track your progress.

If you follow these tips one step at a time, you’ll study with focus and confidence.

Remember, WAEC is not as hard as it looks when you prepare the right way.

What I Want You to Do Next

1. Pick one subject right now.
2. Choose one topic from that subject.
3. Study it for 25 minutes using one of the tips you learned here.
4. Write down how it went in a notebook.

Keep doing this daily, and you’ll see progress before you even notice.