Actually, concentration is a SKILL you can learn!
Learning a new skill works better with practice, so plan to practice the steps below.
You’ll see a difference within a very short time and soon you’ll concentrate any time and any place.
Teach your mind not to wander.
This is the easiest and most effective thing.
When you lose concentration, remind yourself: “BE HERE NOW.”
Focus back on your task.
You’ll probably have to do this over and over at the beginning.
that’s OK. Just “BE HERE NOW.”
Practice ignoring.
Don’t look for who just dropped lots of books, or at the wiggling person next to you.
Make a Mind Tunnel between you and the task or the person you are supposed to be listening to.
Paying attention is a decision!
CHANGE THE TOPIC
- Switch tasks every hour or so to keep your alertness fresh.
- Keep your mind active.
- Actually consider what you are reading, ask yourself questions about it, anticipate what your lecturer will think is important about the information.
- Take notes.
- Unfreeze your body.
- Sit in an upright but relaxed position.
- Check your muscles and body parts-including fingers and toes-and make sure they’re not clenched.
Return to your task and “BE HERE NOW.”
Get some air.
Breath deeply from your abdomen, get up and move around, change your position intermittently.
Keep your brain and body oxygenated!
PLAN AHEAD, MAKE A REVISION TIMETABLE AND STICK TO IT
- First get the big picture by making a mind map or spider diagram so that you have all the main topics.
- Then chunk it down which means break up what you have to learn in to manageable pieces.
- Revise actively, don’t just read through your notes.
You could try:
- Writing practice answers or essays
- Using formulas to solve practice problems
- Creating flow diagrams
- Listening essential facts or information
Use variety of ways to learn the material and memorize key information such as:
- Memory maps
- Post-it’s
- Index cards etc.
Further:
- Plan to study
- Believe you can do it
- Use good lighting
- Sit in a comfortable chair
- Turn off the TV and the Phone
- Music? Only if it works for you
- Always think of something pleasant
- Have your meals on time
- Have a snack
- Do not eat a lot
- Do not take food with lots of sugar
- Wear comfortable clothes
- Get enough sleep
- Do not break rest – sleep on time
- If sick do not get over stressed on studies
- Do not inhale smoke
- Always as a practice avoid the word ‘I can’t do this, do that’ etc.