Top ten tips for increasing concentration

Ketan (STUDENT) (1869 Points)

18 May 2014  

 

 
1. Start assignments with some curiosity about the material
and a positive attitude toward learning.
2. Designate a place where you go only to study. Use proper
lighting.
3. Identify your distractions. Find ways to decrease them or
to postpone them until study breaks (e.g., taking the phone
off the hook, turning off instant messenger).
4. Decrease noises around you while studying. If you need
some background music it should be soft. Keep the TV off.
5. Use "active study" techniques: sit straight in a chair at a
desk, start out with questions about the material, outline
chapters, underline key phrases after reading a section,
write notes in margins, ask yourself what you have learned.
6. Divide your work into smaller manageable tasks that can be
completed in a short period of time. Push yourself to
complete one small task, then move on to the next task.
Focus on one small task at a time.
7. Use times of peak alertness for studying difficult or less
interesting topics. When you are tired or hungry
concentration will be lowered.
8. When your mind starts to wander come up with some cue
words to say to yourself (e.g., "Focus." "Get back on task.")
to focus your concentration again.
9. Take breaks when you have completed tasks or when you
feel concentration has decreased. Breaks should be
approximately 10-15 minutes.
10. If you have other assignments or issues on your mind write
them down on a "to do" list or take a small step to deal with
them. Then get back to focusing on the task at hand.