Improving your Concentration Concentration is a flighty process; you can concentrate one minute and lose that concentration the very next section. Concentration is a mental discipline that is essential for good studying. Chapter 5 Source: Wong, Linda, Essential Study Skills 3rd edition 2000

Necessity of Concentration Poor concentration may be stress, worries, lack of interest or motivation, or the persistence of distracting influences in the environment. Once you identified the sources as internal or external, you can begin to use concentration strategies to remove the barriers to concentration.

Ideal Study Area Noise Level Furniture Few Surrounding Distractions 2 or More Sources of Light Necessary Supplies Setting the Physical Stage

Ideal Study Area Setting the Physical Stage What are your Ideal study areas on Campus?

Noise Level Setting the Physical Stage Good Noise: Instrumental - No Words Fan or white noise Bad Noise: TV Radio discussions or social interactions

Furniture Setting the Physical Stage A place where you can spread out Not a bed where things can be covered and you may want to Nap Make the place a Study only environment. This will help you get into the study mode

Few Surrounding Distractions Setting the Physical Stage Clutter can distract and cause havoc to studying All focus should be with what you are studying That means if it is not what you are studying it should not be around you when you are studying.

2 or More Sources of Light Setting the Physical Stage Light can be the difference between falling asleep and staying focused Having 2 or more light sources eliminates shadows and glare

Necessary Supplies Setting the Physical Stage Time for studying is valuable don’t waste it trying to find what you need Have what you need at hand at all times This means that when you set up your study space plan out what you need then instead of having to retrieve it when you are ready to focus your energy on studying

Monitor and Reduce Stress Levels Create a Positive Mental Attitude Techniques for Reducing External Distracters Techniques for Reducing Internal Distracters Setting the Mental Stage

Monitor and Reduce Stress Levels Setting the Mental Stage Concentration is a controllable mental state. Small amounts of stress is normal and sometimes good to have If stress is becoming distracting and effects concentration there are places on campus that can help

Create a Positive Mental Attitude Setting the Mental Stage The “E” words Effort Enthusiasm Excitement Eagerness Effectiveness See your success: picture yourself doing!

Create Study-Block Goals Do a Warm-up Create a study Routine Create a Mindset for Studying

Create Study-Block Goals Create a Mindset for Studying At the beginning of studying set your prioritizes of what you need to cover Set your goals for that time and your reward to reaching it

Do a Warm-up Create a Mindset for Studying Review Preview

Create a study Routine Create a Mindset for Studying Find a way that works and make it a habit to keep doing it

Techniques for Reducing External Distracters Setting the Mental Stage Red Bow If an environment is getting too disruptive take charge and find another location Say NO to those who might interfere with your study time NO-Need - tell yourself there is no need to break your concentration for little things