It's good to take a break and do something completely different. It resets your concentration, stops you getting stressed and makes for an effective working pattern. One popular technique first established in the 1980s is the "Pomodoro Technique" (named after the tomato shaped cooking timer used by its inventor, pomodoro being Italian for tomato) which comprises working towards a specific goal for a time - how long depends on your concentration span but 25 minutes is a good bench mark - and then changing activity to something completely different for 5 minutes to reset your concentration. Go for a walk, get a drink, colour something in, pick up your origami project, stretch at your desk - the activity is less important than that you are moving about and focusing your mind on a totally different task so that you can return to learning afresh for another productive stint.
Here are some of our favourite breaks you can use throughout your day.
Five minute wonders
Mindful colouring - you can download and print dozens of free pictures to colour in, or even colour them online!
Take up origami - all you need is a sheet of paper and a handy online tutorial. Share your creations with us on Instagram.
Engage in online jigsaw puzzles - while it does not rest your eyes from staring at a screen, trying to complete an online jigsaw puzzle is certainly diverting.
Visit the world outside - nothing beats getting outside or crossing the plaza to the Sports Centre and indulging in some relaxing exercise. Balance, in study as in the rest of life, is key.