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Why are you having trouble concentrating? How can you deal with the problem?
Are external factors affecting you?
Are TV, stereos, computers, music or food nearby? Do pets, friends & family interrupt?
Find a good study environment You need to leave or re-arrange your environment. Go to a library or an empty room when you seriously intend to study.
Study in the same place and use that only for studying. Have a comfortable chair and adequate lighting.
Make sure the temperature is not too cold or hot.
Make sure you have books, pens, paper you need.
Remove distractions like television or phone or intrusive music. Train yourself to study away from others and in silence (or with Baroque music eg Mozart to match your brainwaves and help you remember!). If this is not possible, wear (silent) earphones and "block out" everything.
Maybe it's internal factors that are causing your lack of concentration?
Are you hungry? Have a high protein or fruit snack. Eat well.
Are you tired? Make sure you have regular sleep; study when you're most alert; do 5 minutes of light exercise to wake yourself up.
Are you bored or dislike a particular subject? Read more about the subject and find reasons to interest you. Ask teachers about the relevance of the course or the material in their class. Join a group of students who do find it interesting.
Does certain subject worry you? Talk with other students and teachers. Make sure you are studying effectively. Make sure it's not something else worrying you.
Does an assignment frighten you? Break up large assignments into smaller pieces and do a little each day. Do the most intimidating part first. Give yourself rewards for progress. Work with one or more other students.
What if you daydream? When your mind wanders, write down the interrupting thought and go back to studying. Focus on spotting main ideas and details in textbooks and lecture notes. Make questions from main ideas using the details as answers. Deliberately stop trying to study and intentionally daydream. When you're ready to read again, do so. Don't try to read and daydream at the same time.
What if something is worrying you? Identify and define the problem and develop a concrete, specific plan to resolve it. Talk with someone who can help: a friend, relative, a counsellor
You can make concentration a habit Even if you lapse into old habits of distraction and daydreaming; keep expecting yourself to practice concentrating for fifty minutes.
Decide to concentrate We tend to do what we tell ourselves we can. Set a specific length of time to study and say “I will concentrate for half an hour”.
Notice when you study best Do most of your study at that time.
Prepare to concentrate Before you begin have everything you need on hand: books, paper, pens, pencils, calculators.
Be active Study with a pen, pencil or better still coloured textas in hand, so that you can write your own notes, questions, diagrams, symbols and prepare better notes. Remember just re-reading probably will not help you remember and may put you to sleep!
Vary study activities If you don’t usually study one subject for long, vary what you do. Read and take notes; then switch to making up questions; then go over what you’ve read aloud and grab Mum, Dad, little brother or big sister and try to tell them about it. Or swap from maths problems to making up a mnemonic about Society and Environment.
Have nourishing well-balanced meals Healthy diets earn higher grades. Eat a good protein rich breakfast. Avoid sugary snacks because varying blood sugar levels negatively affect concentration. High fat foods cause sluggishness and drowsiness. Snack on fresh fruits and vegetables.
Ensure you have regular exercise Exercise improves blood flow to the brain. Walking & aerobic exercise improves the brain’s ability to focus and concentrate.
Have plenty of night-time sleep Fighting sleepiness lowers concentration; regular sleeping patterns improve concentration.
Have a system for studying Set up a plan and timetable, and set up systems to help you study better. Try the SQ3R method for reviewing work.
Set yourself weekly, monthly and semester goals It is easier to concentrate and feel motivation when you have goals and can see yourself progressing toward those goals.
Take regular study breaks Concentration times vary. Take a short (5 minutes) break if concentration wanders.
Try to put other concerns aside. People find it hard to concentrate when they are upset, depressed, stressed or worried. Try to face problems, ask for help to solve them and having done what you are able, make a note of these worries. Put these notes aside then consciously shift focus to your study.
Increase the amount of time you concentrate for longer and longer Increase by a few minutes longer each session.
Reward yourself. Decide on some activity you enjoy. Only allow yourself to do it after you have succeeded in concentrating.
Rosemary Horton Teacher Librarian
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