CONCENTRATION BASICS
We can divide strategies for improving concentration into two categories. Each category can include numerous strategies. It is not necessary to do all of them but the more of them you use, the more you are likely to be able to improve your ability to concentrate.
- Study Environment
- Distraction free
- Conditions (i.e. chair, desk, temperature, and lighting) are conducive to studying
- Materials you need for studying are present
- Structure for Study Sessions
- Develop realistic goals for the study session
Decide the order in which you will complete tasks
STUDY ENVIRONMENT
Now that you have assessed the quality of the three locations you study most frequently, let's look at variables that make certain environments more conducive to study than others.
Distraction Free
Much study time is wasted by distractions, whether that is talking to friends, playing computer games or watching TV. Think about your last study period. How long did you try to study (time from beginning to end) and how much of that time was actually spent studying? If there is a big discrepancy in your response to these two questions, you may wish to explore another study location with fewer distractions. The result may be that it actually takes you less time to accomplish the same amount of work because you are able to stay focused in that environment more easily.
Another source of distractions may be personal concerns, which can be more difficult to control. If you find that this is your greatest study distraction, you may wish to talk with a counselor on your campus to try to find ways to reduce or resolve your personal concerns.
Conditions
Conditions (i.e. chair, desk/table, lighting, and temperature) are conducive to studying The chair used for studying should be comfortable enough that you can sit for 45 - 50 minutes at a time. Sitting at a desk or table that provides adequate space for your materials to be spread out is important. The lighting in the room should not cause eye strain and the temperature should be comfortably cool.
Materials needed are present It's important to make sure you have everything you will need for a particular study session present when you begin. If you're going outside your room to study, think through what you will need to accomplish your study goals and take it with you.
STRUCTURE FOR STUDY SESSIONS
Another set of variables that contribute to the success of time spent studying have to do with how you structure your study sessions. Several questions to consider are:
Have you developed realistic goals for the study session? Having a specific, realistic goal for all study sessions is essential. Expecting to accomplish too much in the time you have leads to discouragement. Setting and achieving goals leads to a sense of accomplishment. This is also critical for reducing stress and meeting deadlines. Underestimating how long a task will take is likely to result in having less time to do another task, which causes stress.
Have you decided the order in which you will complete your tasks? This makes your study plan more specific. It's generally best to begin with difficult or boring subjects. Your ability to concentrate will be highest when you begin studying and the task is more likely to take less time if you are at your best when you're doing it. It's easier to find the motivation to do things you like to do, even when you are tired or have less energy.
Do you have a reward planned for yourself when you finish your study session? Planning to reward yourself when you have finished your study session can be very effective for helping you accomplish the tasks you need to do, but only if you use restraint and don't allow yourself the reward until you've finished your studying for the day. Rewards might be things like watching your favorite TV show, talking with a friend, going to a movie, or anything else you enjoy doing. Make a list of the things you could use as rewards so you don't have to spend time thinking about your reward each day when you are planning your study period.
CONCENTRATION BASICS RECAP
So far, we have reviewed the importance of controlling the following study environment factors for improving concentration:
Making it as distraction free as possible;
Creating environmental conditions that are conducive to studying; and
Ensuring that all materials you will need for your study session are present.
We also discussed the importance of structuring your study session by:
Developing realistic goals for each study session;
Deciding the order in which you will complete the necessary tasks; and
Planning a reward for completing the goals of your study session. Take a minute to see if you can recall the strategies that were discussed for accomplishing each of these factors. If you are unable to recall the strategies, you may wish to review the page(s) that discuss how to accomplish these strategies before moving on the the next part of this program.
You may also wish to review the Study Environment Analysis of the three places you study most frequently. Are there ways that you can take control of the situation to enhance the study environment and structure of these locations to make them even more conducive to study?