Study Breaks: How to Take Effective Breaks While Studying

By Pankaj Kumar|Last Updated: July 12, 2026|

Key Takeaways

Research shows taking frequent short breaks improves information retention and test scores.
Study for 45–50 minutes, then take a short break before returning.
Longer breaks should be reserved for weekends, not days before exams.
Physical movement during breaks helps muscles recover for the next study session.
Set clear personal rules for break timing and stick to them consistently.

What is a Study Break?

A study break is a short period when you take a brief rest from studying or cramming for your midterm exams. There are numerous breaks, but let’s discuss some basics first. Students who struggle with demanding subjects like AP Chemistry often find that structured breaks make a measurable difference in how well they absorb material.

Some History of Study Breaks

Study breaks have been a part of college life since universities first opened their doors hundreds of years ago. Back then, students pulled all-nighters studying for exams and slammed books shut when the sun came up.

The Common Practice

Today, it’s not uncommon for students to head out to a happy hour or sleep in an extra hour on Saturday morning after pulling an all-nighter.

So, which is better — staying up late on Friday night cramming information into your brain or putting down the books and taking a break with friends on Saturday night? The answer might surprise you.

Research on Study Breaks

A recent survey conducted by GfK found that one out of three people surveyed said they study smarter when they take a break. It also found that 23 percent of those surveyed said they learn more efficiently when they take breaks between studying. Additionally, 19 percent stated they retain more information and score better on tests after taking a break.

According to U-M Information and Technology Studies Professor Susan Gubar and the University of California at Irvine’s Daniel Olmos, staying up late studying for exams can be detrimental to retaining information.

The best strategy is taking frequent short breaks rather than one or two long ones during an all-nighter studying for an exam, says Gubar. She recommends taking a quick walk around campus or getting coffee with friends, as those minor signs of normalcy help students stay focused while studying.

Gubar also cites studies that show taking a break refreshes concentration, leading to better comprehension of the material. “When students rest their brains, they are gaining time back that they cannot regain if they do not take breaks,” she says.

So, forget about studying late into the night and instead get up early on Saturday morning for some reading before heading out with friends. Come Sunday night, you’ll feel refreshed and focused when you hit the books again. Students preparing for data-heavy courses can find similar focus strategies useful — for instance, those working through AP Statistics often benefit from deliberate rest intervals between problem sets.

How to Find the Best Study Breaks for You

It depends on many factors, including how much time you have to spare and how confident you feel about your knowledge of a particular subject.

Shorter Study Breaks

Some students prefer to take shorter breaks between periods of intense focus, while others like to take short breaks between each chapter they read. Other factors include the number of subjects you need to study and even personal preference for food, drinks, and entertainment.

For example, some students may want to study for an hour and then take a nap, while others might prefer to snack or play a quick computer game before getting back to the books.

The key is to experiment with various methods until you find one that works best. Once you’ve found something that works, stick with it — you don’t want to keep changing the rules for yourself.

Longer Study Breaks

In addition to brief study breaks that last less than an hour, you can also take longer breaks from studying that usually last a few hours or even a half-day. You must reserve these longer breaks for weekends, not during days leading up to exams, as it may lead to your brain getting overloaded with information.

Instead, use these longer breaks to get physical exercise, spend time with friends or family, get some sun, and eat food that isn’t junk or fast food.

You can also consider taking a full day off from studying — provided you’re not cramming for a short-term exam. However, you should not take a full day off during the week leading up to your midterm exams.

How Long or Frequent Should Study Breaks Be?

Ultimately, it comes down to your experience and experimenting with different methods. You want to find something that works best for you. For example, maybe you’re cramming for your midterm exam tomorrow, but you feel calm and ready to study today — it may be a good idea to read one chapter, take a 10-minute break to stretch your legs, drink some water, and then come back with greater focus.

Even though we highly recommend taking short breaks between studying, you must not get easily distracted by your phone or computer. If it takes you 10 minutes to get back to where you left off because of Pinterest, Facebook, or YouTube, maybe taking a 30-minute break is worthwhile.

On the other hand, if it takes you 30 minutes to refocus after a quick Facebook check, perhaps an hour-long break might be better. You need to find the best balance that works for you.

Whatever method you decide upon, set up some clear rules and boundaries for yourself before starting. Tell yourself that you’re only allowed to take study breaks between chapters or sections of your textbook, or when you feel it is appropriate — for example, on weekends.

However, don’t forget to follow these rules consistently. If you tell yourself you can take a 5-minute break on Tuesdays and Fridays, don’t cheat yourself by taking 10 minutes every week leading up to a big test.

How Long Should You Study Without a Break?

45 to 50 minutes on average. The rule is: take a break after 45 to 50 minutes of concentrated studying.

Why Students Need Study Breaks

Taking breaks helps prevent eye strain and fatigue so you can return to your studies with a fresh mind. It isn’t just the eyes that need care during long study sessions — sitting in one place for too long can cause the muscles in your lower back, hips, and neck to ache. It is good to get up from your desk every hour or so for a stretch.

While taking frequent breaks when studying is essential, this does not mean you should spend them slacking off. Instead, plan your breaks and use them to relax the muscles you have been using while studying. This allows them to recover so they are ready for hard work when you return. One way of doing this is by performing a few of the following exercises during each break.

If you’re curious how tutoring platforms approach student wellbeing and study support, the Studyable review covers how that platform structures its sessions. You might also find the CollegeVine review useful for understanding how different services support students through high-pressure academic periods.

Exercises to Do During Study Breaks

1) Neck Roll

Sit up straight with shoulders down and chest lifted. Gently drop your left ear toward your left shoulder until you feel the stretch in the side of the neck; hold for several seconds. Then roll your head in small circles, gradually increasing in size until reaching over to touch your right shoulder on the last turn; hold again for several seconds before returning to the starting position.

2) Shoulder Raise

With your shoulders down and back, raise both arms to a 90-degree angle from the body; hold for several seconds, then lower slowly.

3) Arm Circle

Keep your shoulders down and lift both hands to shoulder level with palms facing each other at a 90-degree angle, as if holding a book between them. Circle the wrists by rotating first from the thumbs to the little fingers, then from the pinky side of the hand around to underneath the palms twice more before returning to the starting position. Repeat 4 times.

4) Arm Swish

Hold your arms out straight in front of you as if reaching for something above your head. Brush the left arm clockwise across the body 2 times while bringing the right arm counterclockwise over the left elbow 2 times. Reverse this motion starting with the right arm brushing across the left elbow 2 times while crossing the right counterclockwise over the left arm 2 times. Repeat 4 times.

5) Twist and Turn

With your knees slightly bent, raise arms to a 60-degree angle from the body. Twist at the waist 45 degrees to the left until hands meet in front of the chest while turning your head and eyes toward the left hand; hold for several seconds before returning to center and repeating on the opposite side. Repeat 3 more times on each side.

Do not let yourself get too tired when studying at home for a test or exam. If you do, it becomes easy to fall asleep and not get enough rest the night before.

The Verdict on Study Breaks

So, what’s the verdict? Is research showing us that taking a quick break and stepping away from your study space will make you more productive and effective at studying for midterms and finals? Or is it just something we say to justify taking time off during college?

It depends on who you ask. If you’re looking at research into the actual cognitive processes involved in studying, then yes — taking breaks between hours or even a full day’s worth of study can help most people retain information better than studying non-stop. But not everyone will benefit equally, as this research from the American Psychological Association shows.

For students weighing their academic support options, the PrepMaven review and the Academized review offer useful comparisons of how different platforms approach study support. Courses that blend research and writing — such as those covered by an AP Seminar tutor — can be especially demanding, making deliberate break strategies all the more important.

Bonus Tip on Study Breaks

If the academic pressure is too high and you are unable to take long breaks from your studies, you can seek help with RStudio or other technical subjects from expert tutors, freeing up time for a much-needed study break. For those managing professional certification coursework alongside academic study, connecting with a Salesforce teacher online can similarly reduce the time spent stuck on difficult material.