Strategies to improve your concentration

Controlling external distractions:

Studying:

• Select a quiet place to study where you will not be interrupted
• Have a comfortable, but not too comfortable chair; avoid your bed or sofa
• Have all the things you need at your workspace
• Reserve this place for work only so you associate it with studying
• Arrange uninterrupted time: mute phone, social media, and anything else in your control; tell friends and family you’re unavailable
• Use a schedule and plan to study at your most productive time of day

Lectures:

• Select a quiet place to study where you will not be interrupted
• Have a comfortable, but not too comfortable chair; avoid your bed or sofa
• Have all the things you need at your workspace
• Reserve this place for work only so you associate it with studying
• Arrange uninterrupted time: mute phone, social media, and anything else in your control; tell friends and family you’re unavailable
• Use a schedule and plan to study at your most productive time of day

Controlling internal distractions:

• Track how often you lose concentration and what triggers it

            o   change work environment if necessary

            o   write down your worries/thoughts for later and get back to work

• Use positive self-talk
• Motivate yourself with a reward for when your goal is accomplished
•  Academic worries? Speak to your professor, meet with a Learning Specialist, find class-mates to study with
• Deal with personal problems? Speak with family, friends or see a Counsellor
• Not feeling well? –see a doctor or drop by/call in to see the nurse at Health Services
• Fatigue? Don’t cut corners on sleep; chekc out Health Services' advice on effective sleep strategies