ABMP Student Success Curriculum Topic 9: Concentration

2. Goals of This Lecture Identify your current ability to concentrate. Learn how to avoid distractions. Improve concentration skills.

3. Worksheet 9-1 pg. 103 Complete the Concentration Evaluation (worksheet 9-1 on page 103) and discuss findings.

4. Levels of Concentration Light –First 5 minutes –Easily distracted Moderate –10 minutes –Less likely to be distracted Deep –After 10 minutes –May remain deeply engrossed for 40 minutes

5. Productive vs. Unproductive Study Session

6. Focus at Will The ability to focus at will is a skill everyone can learn. Try: –Verbal prompt –Physical prompt –Combined prompt

7. Sustain Concentration Ability to concentrate for 40 minutes at a time. Obstacles –Lack of interest –Lack of motivation –Internal distractions –External distractions –Time of day

8. Dealing with Lack of Interest Why? –Teaching style versus learning style –Issues in personal life What to Do? –Explore your disinterest. –Discuss with instructor or school counselor. –Find out why others are interested.

9. Dealing with Lack of Motivation Why? –Feeling overwhelmed –No sense of accomplishment What to Do? –Explore why you are unmotivated. –Set short, medium, and long-term goals.

10. Dealing with Internal & External Distractions Internal Distractions –Tired –Hungry –Cold –Worried External Distractions –Noise –TV –Music –Phone calls –An uncomfortable study area –Interruption from friends and family

11. Concentration & Time of Day Each person has a time of day when he or she concentrates best. –When are you most alert? –Plan study times for this period of time whenever possible.

12. Focus on One Thing at a Time Make a list of study goals. –Finish the first item on the list without stopping. –Move on to the next item on the list. –Don’t jump around; you get less done.

13. Distraction Log Review the distraction log on page 107. Try keeping a distraction log to identify the distracters that keep you from concentrating fully.

14. Concentration Processing Having taken part in this lecture, what is your current attitude to your concentration level? What will you do to improve your level of concentration?

ABMP Student Success Curriculum Find additional resources at ABMP.com.