Lesson Three

Lesson ThreeLesson Three

ConcentrationConcentration

The ProblemThe Problem

In many colleges over 8% of the In many colleges over 8% of the students report problems students report problems concentrating on their studies. concentrating on their studies.

Most of these students blame Most of these students blame outside distractions for their outside distractions for their problems.problems.

Many research studies Many research studies manipulating noise levels and manipulating noise levels and distractions have found that such distractions have found that such disturbances may increase, disturbances may increase, decrease, or not even affect decrease, or not even affect concentration. concentration.

The ProblemThe Problem

These researchers have These researchers have therefore concluded that therefore concluded that distracters don't cause distracters don't cause concentration problems directly. concentration problems directly.

It is the way the distracters are It is the way the distracters are interpreted by the students that interpreted by the students that disrupts their study.disrupts their study.

Creating a Study Creating a Study EnvironmentEnvironment Find a place to study and keep it Find a place to study and keep it

for study only.for study only. Tool-up the environment with all Tool-up the environment with all

study needs.study needs. Control noise level and the Control noise level and the

visual environment to visual environment to acceptable levels.acceptable levels.

Avoid relaxing while working; Avoid relaxing while working; create a work atmosphere.create a work atmosphere.

When to StudyWhen to Study

Best during the day and early Best during the day and early evening; you'll remember better.evening; you'll remember better.

Best when there are the fewest Best when there are the fewest competing activities in progress.competing activities in progress.

Best when adequate rest Best when adequate rest periods are provided.periods are provided.

Stop studying when fatigue or Stop studying when fatigue or lack of attention occurs.lack of attention occurs.

How to Study & ConcentrateHow to Study & Concentrate

[1] When distracters are present, become intensely [1] When distracters are present, become intensely involved.involved.

[2] Keep a pad of paper handy to jot down extraneous [2] Keep a pad of paper handy to jot down extraneous thoughts that cross your mind while studying, get thoughts that cross your mind while studying, get them out of your mind and on to paper.them out of your mind and on to paper.

[3] Set study goals before you begin each period of [3] Set study goals before you begin each period of study study

(number of pages, number of problems, etc.)(number of pages, number of problems, etc.)

[4] Design adequate rewards after specified goals are [4] Design adequate rewards after specified goals are attained.attained.


[5] Break-up the content of study by mixing up [5] Break-up the content of study by mixing up subjects and building in variety and interest subjects and building in variety and interest and removing boredom.and removing boredom.

[6] Make the most of rest periods-do [6] Make the most of rest periods-do something quite different.something quite different.

[7] Don't try to mix work and play.[7] Don't try to mix work and play.

[8] Start with short study periods and build to [8] Start with short study periods and build to longer periods only as fast as you maintain longer periods only as fast as you maintain concentration.concentration.


[9] If necessary, make a calendar of events to [9] If necessary, make a calendar of events to clear your mind of distractions.clear your mind of distractions.

[10] Realize that you won't lose friends, [10] Realize that you won't lose friends, respect, or a "good time" just because respect, or a "good time" just because you're studying... these will keep.you're studying... these will keep.

[11] Plan the length of your study period by [11] Plan the length of your study period by the amount of material you have decided to the amount of material you have decided to cover, not by the clock. (Often the clock is cover, not by the clock. (Often the clock is one of the most serious distracters.)one of the most serious distracters.)

Diagnostic MattersDiagnostic Matters

It is probably necessary that you It is probably necessary that you identify which subjects are related to identify which subjects are related to the most serious concentration the most serious concentration problems. problems.

You may notice that you really don't You may notice that you really don't give yourself a chance with these give yourself a chance with these subjects because of the time, order, subjects because of the time, order, or place you use to study. or place you use to study.

It may also be valuable to assess It may also be valuable to assess what your motives are for studying in what your motives are for studying in the first place? the first place?

What is your reward for your efforts?What is your reward for your efforts?

Education

Lesson Three