Do you find yourself daydreaming, sleeping, or straightening your room just minutes after you've sat down for a healthy study session? This common problem, researchers find, can be solved by controlling distracting influences and building a study space that helps you focus.
Creating a Study Environment
Find a place to study and keep it for study only.Tool-up the environment with all study needs.Control noise level, keep the workspace neat, and let phone mail answer your calls.Don't relax - you're working! Sit in an upright position, use a good lamp, keep the room cool.
When to Study
Best during the day and early evening; you'll remember better. Complete the work for your "hardest" course before dinner.Best when there are the fewest competing activities in progress. Use your study space.Best when adequate rest periods are provided. Work for 1 1/2 hours, then do something else.Stop studying when fatigue or lack of attention occurs. Take that 1/2 hour break, and then come back.
How to Study & Concentrate
When distractions are present, force yourself to focus more intently. Soon you'll build a habit which enables you to ignore distractions.Keep a pad of paper handy to jot down extraneous thoughts that cross your mind while studying, get them out of your mind and on to paper.study goals before you begin each period of study. (number of pages, number of problems, etc.)Design adequate rewards after specified goals are attained.Break-up the content of study by mixing up subjects. Building in variety removes boredom.Make the most of rest periods-do something quite different. A good guide is to work for 1 1/2 hours, rest for 1/2 hour, and then work again on a new topic.Don't try to mix work and play. Keep your study time focused.Start with short study periods and slowly build to longer periods only as fast as you maintain concentration.Make a calendar of events, refer to it to clear your mind of distractions.Realize that you won't lose friends, respect, or a "good time" just because you're studying ... these will keep. Plan separate time for socializing.Over time, plan the length of your study period by the amount of material you have decided to cover.
Diagnostic Matters
Identify which subjects are related to the most serious concentration problems. You may notice that you really don't give yourself a chance with these subjects because of the time, order, or place you use to study. One possible solution is to make a commitment to yourself to finish your work for that class before you go to dinner. For other suggestions come to the Office of Learning Resources.
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