7 Concentration Aids for Bootcamp Students

One of the biggest benefits of a professional bootcamp is the flexibility to study where, when, and how you want. But let’s be real — online learning also puts your favorite digital distractions just a tap or click away.

To minimize opportunities for procrastination, it’s important to have a plan on how you’ll manage your environment (and your time). Concentration aids can be a big help when you need to maintain focus and avoid unnecessary interruptions. Here’s a list of our favorites for bootcamp students:

1. Focus apps

It’s hard to resist things like social media, mobile games, and streaming apps when you need a quick break from studying. But the problem with these types of distractions is that they eat up your time.

‍Focus apps are purpose-built to help you manage your go-to procrastinations. These tools let you temporarily cut off access to your favorite sites and apps at specific times of the day and week, for example during study blocks. So even if you try to open an app on autopilot, you won’t be able to until the timer ends.

Pros of focus apps

• Effective at removing distractions during study blocks
• Easy to implement and use across devices
• Hard to disable during scheduled time blocks

Cons of focus apps

• May require a subscription or one-time purchase fee
• Setup time may be too onerous for some students
• App notifications can contribute to focus challenges

Source: American Psychological Association

2. The Pomodoro Technique

Despite over a century of experimentation and debate, time management continues to be a top challenge for workers of all kinds. And yet, just one in five people have a time management system in place.

The Pomodoro Technique is a popular method for improving focus and workloads that requires only a to-do list and a timer. To begin, simply pick a task and set a 25-minute timer. Work until it goes off, then take a five-minute break. Repeat for four intervals, then take a 15-30 minute break, and begin all over again.

Pros of the Pomodoro Technique

• Easy to implement, requiring little training or set up
• Helps prevent fatigue and stress through regular breaks
• Provides structure to help minimize distractions

Cons of the Pomodoro Technique

• Interrupts the flow state, cutting off deep focus
• Requires strict adherence to predetermined schedules
• Focuses on time vs. output, which may lead to feelings of being rushed

3. Mindfulness

In a world of constant interruptions and task switching, slowing down can feel like falling behind. Yet the human brain evolved to be a master of monotasking, processing information at just 10 bits per second.

Mindfulness is a scientifically-proven method for counteracting the impacts of nonstop inputs on your brain and well-being. Contrary to pop culture stereotypes, you don’t have to sit cross-legged on the floor to see the benefits, either — you can choose from a variety of types to find what works best for you.

Pros of mindfulness

• Learn via app, in-person class, or independently
• Even five minutes a day can be beneficial
• Helps improve mood, sleep, and resilience as well

Cons of mindfulness

• Takes time to build up a confident practice
• Requires consistency to be effective
• Finding the right type involves experimentation 

4. Background music

Humans have an innate musicality that researchers agree is part of our biology. So it makes sense that listening to music helps improve both focus and attention while performing moderate to low-effort tasks.

The best background music facilitates a successful study environment. Focus music, for example, is a genre offering a steady rhythmic groove that’s been proven to engage the mind without demanding too much of its attention. Best of all, there are hundreds of free playlists available on YouTube and Spotify!

Pros of background music

• Free to listen on many streaming services
• Pre-made playlists make it easy to add to routines
• Music can also help strengthen neural networks

Cons of background music

• Some genres or artists may be overly distracting
• Takes time to discover artists and playlists that work
• Risk of adding to the brain’s information overload

5. Fidget tools

Fidgeting has long been perceived as socially impolite, yet science shows it’s actually really good for people’s health — helping increase blood flow to limbs, regulate blood sugar, and even relieve stress.

Fidget tools are supports designed to help with self-regulation and concentration. The best ones for studying are low input and visually uninteresting. For example, fidget spinners, chair bands, poppers, stress balls, and magnets. Brands like ONO and Stimagz are also known for their high quality fidget tools.

Pros of fidget tools

• Easy to find and buy online
• Options for every budget
• Shallow learning curve

Cons of fidget tools

• May take a few tries to find the right tool
• Smaller-sized tools are easily misplaced
• Another item to remember for working on the go

6. Daily walks

Most people walk a little every day, but adding distance and duration to your routine can help not only improve your health, but also make it easier to concentrate when it’s time to tackle coursework.

The best walks for focus and creativity are at a comfortable pace and in a natural environment. You don’t have to find a national park to reap the benefits, though — a stroll through your local woods can do the trick. Plus, physical activity is a virtuous cycle where the fitter you become, the better you concentrate!

Pros of daily walks

• Low impact and accessible exercise
• Free to do, although comfy shoes improve the experience 
• Can be taken any time of the day

Cons of daily walks

• 20 to 30 minutes duration to see benefits
• Potentially inaccessible to people with mobility constraints
• May require driving to and from a walking path

7. Sleep

If you’re like most people, you probably have a certain amount of sleep debt. While the occasional late night or early morning isn’t that impactful, consistently getting insufficient sleep takes a toll on your focus.

Experts recommend getting between seven and eight hours of sleep to improve concentration. Even if you’re one of the estimated 35% of people with a biphasic sleep schedule (meaning you get your eight hours in two separate chunks), improving sleep hygiene and habits are key to getting enough rest.

Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Looking for more recommendations?

Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to learning new material, but distractions are a universal challenge for all bootcamp students. Whether it’s your phone alerts buzzing every five minutes, or a noisy construction site down the street, making the most of your courses means being able to focus.

Other useful tools we recommend for staying engaged as a bootcamp student are books_{The 4 Best Coding Books Every Beginner Should Own} on subjects related to your course and industry podcasts_{12 Best Tech Podcasts for Career Switchers in 2025}. Click through each link for our favorites!