Concentrating

Concentration: the ability to direct your thinking

The art or practice of concentration,
no matter if studying biology or playing pool,
is to focus on the task at hand and eliminate distraction

We all have the ability to concentrate -- sometimes. Think of the times when you were "lost" in something you enjoy: a sport, playing music, a good game, a movie. Total concentration.

But at other times,

• Your mind wanders from one thing to another
• Your worries distract you
• Outside distractions take you away before you know it
• The material is boring, difficult, and/or not interesting to you.
• See the Flash distraction (needs high speed connection)

These tips may help: They involve

1. What you can control in your studies
2. Best practices

What you can control in your studies:

• "Here I study"
  Get a dedicated space, chair, table, lighting and environment
  Avoid your cellphone or telephone
  Put up a sign to avoid being disturbed or interrupted
  If you like music in the background, OK, but don't let it be a distraction. (Research on productivity with music versus without music is inconclusive)
• Stick to a routine, efficient study schedule
  Accommodate your day/nighttime energy levels
  See our Guide on Setting goals and making a scheduling
• Focus
  Before you begin studying, take a few minutes to summarize a few objectives, gather what you will need, and think of a general strategy of accomplishment
• Incentives
  Create an incentive if necessary for successfully completing a task,
  such as calling a friend, a food treat, a walk, etc.
  For special projects such as term papers, design projects, long book reviews, set up a special incentive
• Change topics
  Changing the subject you study every one to two hours for variety
• Vary your study activities
  Alternate reading with more active learning exercises
  If you have a lot of reading, try the SQ3R method
  Ask yourself how you could increase your activity level while studying? Perhaps a group will be best? Creating study questions?
  Ask your teacher for alternative strategies for learning. The more active your learning, the better.
• Take regular, scheduled breaks that fit you
  Do something different from what you've been doing (e.g., walk around if you've been sitting), and in a different area
• Rewards
  Give yourself a reward when you've completed a task

Best Practices:

• You should notice improvement in a few days
  But like any practice, there will be ups, levels, and downs:

• It will benefit other activities you do!