10 Concentration Techniques

Answer 1

When you carve out time for studying, you want to make the most of it. Most students, especially at busy times of the term, can’t spare losing an hour to constant diversions. In order to maximize your time, it’s wise to use strategies that will help you get down to business and stay focused. Whether you’re concerned about getting into a studying groove early in the term or battling finals fatigue, there are tried and true tactics that can help stave off distraction and help you get back on course when interruptions happen.

1. Identify your distracters and make sure your study habits help you avoid them. If you’re distracted by IM, for example, do as much of your studying where there’s no computer in sight.
2. Make sure you choose a comfortable environment and have everything you need before you start.
3. Devise a schedule. Set up certain hours each day that you’ll consistently use as serious study time. Use an alarm (if need be) to avoid constantly watching the clock.
4. Identify your energy patterns throughout the day and match your homework duties to your individual rhythm. Take full advantage of your “high energy” hours for your most intensive and challenging work.
5. Jot things down that are on your mind before you start to study and put the list aside. You’ll be able to make a note of what needs your later attention without it being a continual distraction while you work.
6. Always study with pen in hand. Activity, such as notetaking, mindmapping or highlighting, encourages concentration.
7. Develop an interest in what you are studying. As you read, find a real relationship between yourself and the material. Make the reading your own in some way by relating it to experiences/movies, or attach the concepts to memorable images or stories. Be creative and engaged in order to maximize your reading retention.
8. Interchange reading and reviewing. Review consistently between reading sections to ensure that you understand and remember the main points. Answer questions in the text or make up your own.
9. Try to avoid back-to-back studying of two courses that have similar demands, (i.e. long reading assignments).
10. Occasional daydreaming is natural – especially if you’re tired or if you’ve been studying for a longer stretch. If you mind wanders, simply guide it back to your work. Resist the impulse to get overly frustrated.

Finally, allow yourself ample, well-timed breaks. During break time, schedule an activity that gets you totally away from your books. Get up and move. Socialize. Go work out or do something fun. When you make your breaks count, you’ll be genuinely refreshed and ready to focus again.