Study Skills: How to improve your concentration

Causes of lack of concentration

One of the main causes of missing of what you are reading is a lack of concentration. When your attention wanders words slip by and leave you with little memory of what you have read. You may go through the motions of reading and studying, sometimes for hours at a time but end up with poor results.

• Not being prepared to read and study
• A lack of interest in the material
• The material is too difficult
• A lack of motivation
• A lack of suitable goal
• Too much noise or activity around you
• Emotional problems
• Being tired
• Having to much to do

A major cause of not concentrating is not being interested in the work.If you are studying something you really want to, your attention generally will remain keen. However, when yu are reading something that you consider dull or boring, you will usually find it difficult. This is probably because you didn't prepare yourself properly to work on the task. If your lack of concentration is due to being tired or not being motivated, you may have to postpone the work until a more suitable time. Certainly a wise use of available time to read and study is one of the best remedies.

Fear of failure is another reason for poor concentration. Often the thought of failing an exam or assisgnment starts to take more time than the actual study and this in turn adds to your worry.

Here is a list of suggestions which will help you improve your power of concentration

• Select a place you like to study and where there are few distractions
• Plan your study time so that you will have enough time to finish your work.
• Make sure that you have all the materials and resources you need to finish the assignment.
• Develop a positive mental attitude to the task ahead. Think about finishing your work and try to do well.
• Remember your purpose for studying and make this your goal. Question yourself about what you are studying and then read actively for the answers.
• Work in short sessions of forty to fifty minutes and take regular breaks to avoid getting tired.
• Make notes and summaries of the main points you are studying and refer to them to check your progress
• Break your work into smaller units of study and mark each unit off as you complete it.