Concentration

Adapted from Dennis Congo (2000).

Ten Tips for Better Concentration

1. Intend to Concentrate
Concentrating is easier when you
have a specified time for study.
Knowing how long you will study
helps concentration. Consciously tell
yourself I will concentrate for ___
minutes.

Ten Tips for Better Concentration

2. Prepare to Concentrate
Have everything you need to
complete your task
Make sure you have your texts,
notes, pens, study guides, etc

Ten Tips for Better Concentration

3. Use Concentration Promoting
Activities
Prepare to rewrite and organize
notes
Create diagrams, graphs, study
guides
Summarize the material

Ten Tips for Better Concentration

4. Vary Your Study Activities
If you have difficulty focusing on
one subject for long periods of
time, vary the subjects you study
Take breaks in between study
activities

Ten Tips for Better Concentration

5. Study in a Non-Distracting
Environment
Find one place, and use that
place only for studying
Remove visual and auditory
distractions

Ten Tips for Better Concentration

6. Devise a Specific Study Plan for
Studying and Learning
A step-by-step plan makes it
easier
to concentrate
Use a text book reading strategy

Ten Tips for Better Concentration

7. Eat Regular Well Balanced Meals
Researchers find students with
healthier diets earn higher grades
Avoid too much sugar and
caffeine
Dont take stimulants

Ten Tips for Better Concentration

8. Get Plenty of Sleep at Night
Fighting off sleepiness negatively
affects concentration.

Ten Tips for Better Concentration

9. Set Daily, Weekly, Monthly, and
Semester Goals
It is easier to concentrate and
self-motivate when you see
yourself moving toward your
goals

Ten Tips for Better Concentration

10.Take Regular Study Breaks
It is normal that your
concentration will wonder. When
this happens, take a five minute
break.

Improving Concentration
Factors that Affect
Concentration
TV/stereo, loud
noise
Too comfortable
seating
Friends, family, pets
Telephone
Music

How to Control
These Factors
Leave or
rearrange the
environment
Use the library or
empty classroom
Study away from
others and in
silence

Improving Concentration
Hunger
Drowsiness

Dislike or
disinterest in a
class

Eat high protein or

fruit snacks
Plan study times at
optimum hours, get
adequate sleep,
exercise lightly to
energize yourself
Join a study group,
participate in class,
ask questions

Improving Concentration
Anxiety about a
class

Speak to instructor,
tutors, other
students
Examine if you are
studying effectively
Assess whether the
anxiety is cause by
the class or
personal issues
See a campus
counselor

Improving Concentration
Intimidating
assignments

Break the larger

assignment into
small manageable
tasks
Tackle the most
difficult part first
Reward yourself
for progress
Work
collaboratively

Improving Concentration
Daydreaming

When daydreaming
write down those
thoughts and refocus
on the task at hand
Focus on identifying
main ideas and details
in text and notes
Make up questions
Stop studying and
temporarily indulge in
daydreaming
focus on one thing