Distractions
or Difficulties to concentration fall into two categories, internal or
external. Examples of internal Difficulties
are hunger, drowsiness, daydreaming, and lack of interest, personal worries,
and anxiety.
External Difficulties
include environmental distractions such as other people, radio/television,
outside noise, lack of proper study space.
The first
step in improving concentration is to recognize the distraction and take action
to correct it.
Internal Difficulties
Difficulties Solutions
Hunger/drowsiness
|
Proper
rest and nutrition are essential for good academic performance. Try to get at least seven hours of sleep
each night. A diet rich in grains,
vegetables, and fruit, but low in fat and sugar is recommended. It will provide natural and sustained
energy.
|
Daydreaming
|
If
your mind starts to wander, jot down the interrupting thought so you can deal
with it later. In the meantime,
continue to study. Or, try the
opposite approach, when you start to
drift off, recall the most important points of what you’ve just read, then
allow yourself to daydream. When
you’re ready to return to your study materials, do so.
|
Lack of
interest
|
Find
a reason to be motivated. Try to focus
on positive reasons for doing well in the course such as higher GPA or
personal growth. Talk to your
professor and classmates and examine their perspectives.
|
Anxiety/intimidation
about studying
|
Learn
the various skills and strategies that lead to effective studying. If you are overwhelmed by the tasks at
hand, break it down into smaller tasks.
Remember that planning and time management is crucial.
|
Personal
worries
|
Identify
the problem and take steps to resolve it.
Talk with someone who can help; a friend, a counselor or a specialist.
|
External Difficulties
Auditory –
Conversation, radio, television, environmental noise
|
Avoid
all conversation when studying.
Consider a “Do Not Disturb” sign for your dorm door to discourage
visitors. Turn off your cell
phone. While TV or radio can be
distracting, continuous music (as found on a CD) might be conducive to
studying. Keep it low so that it is
more like a background sound.
Instrumental music is probably preferable to music with lyrics.
|
Visual
|
Study
in an area that lacks any visual stimuli that might distract you. For example, if you study in the library,
steer clear of the high traffic areas.
Stay away from windows or settings that cause your attention to be
directed elsewhere.
When
studying, keep only the materials related to that subject in viewing range. Don’t allow the temptation to be distracted
by your other classes.
|
Disorganization
|
Before
starting study sessions be sure to have all necessary material in front of
you. This eliminates the need to break
concentration and search for an item.
Make a point of keeping all your study materials in a particular place
and when it’s time to study you’ll know where everything is.
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Always keep in mind that:
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