Don’t Just Study. Exercise: How to Boost Your TOEIC Focus and Memory
“I study, but nothing sticks.”
You read.
You listen.
But when it’s time to recall the information, your mind goes blank.
You’re not lacking intelligence.
Your brain is stuck in The Passive Listener Block or Speed Trap.
The problem isn’t what you’re studying — it’s how your brain is processing it.
Exercise Supercharges Your Brain’s Processing Power
In The Exercise Brain, Anders Hansen explains:
Exercise is the most effective way to improve focus, memory, and processing speed.
Here’s why:
Dopamine and norepinephrine increase — boosting attention and learning efficiency.
Hippocampus activation improves — enhancing memory retention.
Cognitive flexibility rises — your brain gets faster at switching tasks and problem-solving.
In simple terms:
Movement makes your brain sharper and faster at learning.
MTC’s Truth: Exercise is Not a Break From Study — It’s a Way to Study Smarter
Many TOEIC learners separate “study time” and “exercise time.”
At MTC, we merge them.
Physical activity enhances study performance.
When combined with a micro-learning task,
exercise transforms from “lost time” to “brain-boosted study.”
ALT Habit: The “Walking Dictation Drill” for Listening and Focus
Here’s a simple habit that fuses exercise with effective TOEIC practice:
Walking Dictation Drill:
Choose a short TOEIC Part 3 or Part 4 audio clip.
Put on your headphones and go for a walk.
As you listen, mentally repeat key phrases out loud or silently.
Stop every minute and jot down (on your phone or small notepad) any keywords or expressions you remember.
Continue walking and repeat.
Why This Works (Even If You’re Easily Distracted)
Boosts auditory processing. Walking helps your brain stay alert and responsive.
Enhances memory recall. Physical movement triggers hippocampus activity, improving retention.
Combines physical and mental focus. Multitasking in this way builds sharper, more flexible cognitive control.
You’re Not a Machine — But You Can Hack Your Brain Like One
Sitting still isn’t always the best way to learn.
The human brain evolved to learn while moving.
By combining light physical activity with listening or reading drills,
you’re tapping into a natural learning boost.
You don’t need more hours at the desk.
You need smarter study movement systems.
Start with 10–15 minutes of Walking Dictation.
Feel your focus sharpen.
Watch your retention rise.
