Concentration and Studying

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Concentration and Studying
By Dr. Dolores Kiesler
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What causes lack of concentration when studying?

• Distractions, such as phone calls, television,
  loud noises
• Fatigue, lack of adequate rest
• Lack of materials needed for study
• Non-Peak study times
• Lack of organization
• Visual Distractions
• Friends
• Computer Games and Instant Messenger

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So what can you do to concentrate more
effectively???
1. Create a study environment
2. Determine when your peak time is
3. Be organized
4. Get plenty of rest
5. Make agreements with friends
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Hints for Improving Concentration

• Set goals before studying

• Take breaks by doing something different

• Keep pad of paper handy to jot down thoughts

• Mix subjects and tasks when studying

• Dont mix work and play

• Give yourself rewards

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What kind of goals should I set?

• Determine the priority of what you need to study

• Determine the time you will need for each task

• Form a schedule with time slots for each task

• Include short break periods on the schedule

• Hold yourself to the schedule

• Set an appropriate reward

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Sample Priorities w/ Time Limits

• Math test at 8 a.m. tomorrow1 hour
• Read Psychology assignment30 minutes
• Write persuasive paragraph for English30 minutes
• Work on revising draft of English paper30
  minutes
• Begin research for history paper1 hour
• Review for Math test again15 minutes

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Sample Goals

• I will study for my math test at least 1 hour
• I will read my psychology assignment
• I will write my persuasive paragraph for English
• I will spend 30 minutes revising my English paper
• I will spend an hour doing research for my
  history paper

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Sample Study Schedule
6-7 Math Test 7-715 Break 715-745 Psychology 7
45-815 Write Persuasive Paragraph 815-830 Brea
k and walk to library 830-900 Revise English
paper 900-1000 History Research in
Library Before Bed15 minute review of math
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Review

• How do you create a good study environment?

• Why should you set priorities and goals?

• Why are breaks and rewards important?

• What can you do if you are constantly
  distracted while studying?

• What will you change about the way you now
  study?