Do you have trouble concentrating while studying? Do not worry. The best students also experienced the same thing. Maybe you just need to adjust your study patterns, use new methods, or come up with a better study plan to give your mind as much rest as possible. You will find it easier to concentrate by doing the following ways.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Keeping Concentration
Step 1. Make a study schedule
Prepare a schedule if you have to study all night. Take a 5-10 minute break after studying for 30-60 minutes. Your brain must rest so that it recovers and is able to process information. Taking a break while studying does not mean being lazy.
Change the subject you are studying every hour to prevent boredom and boredom. Studying the same subject for too long makes it easy to daydream. New subjects can refresh your mind and increase learning motivation
Step 2. Set aside time to worry about or think about other things
Sometimes we are distracted while studying because of the many daily affairs that come to our mind. We are able to control our thoughts, even though it can be difficult at times. Tell yourself that you will think about problems or your lover or friends after you finish studying. You will feel calmer because you have thought about it. However, by the time you finish studying, that desire may be gone.
- If you notice you're daydreaming, stop immediately. Refocus your mind and get back to studying. You are the master of your own mind. You started it, so you can stop it!
- Write down any things that come to mind during your study. Do things or think about them while you are resting.
Step 3. Learn in a variety of ways
If you've just finished reading 20 pages, don't read another 20 pages right away. Instead, take quizzes using small sheets of paper. Make a chart to make it easier for you to remember statistics. Listen to recorded conversations to learn French. Get in the habit of learning by making use of the different skills you have and different parts of the brain. Play your favorite games while resting so you don't get bored.
Take turns using different skills to make it easier for your brain to process the information you learn and store it. In addition to preventing boredom, it will be easier for you to remember the material being studied
Step 4. Give yourself a gift
Sometimes, we need to boost our spirits by giving gifts to ourselves. If good grades can't be an excuse, try other ways to stay focused while studying. Maybe you want to eat grapes while watching TV? Go shopping to the mall? Enjoying a body treatment or a nap? What can make learning moments valuable?
Involve parents, if possible. Can they provide incentives? If you get good grades, you may be allowed to go to the movies with friends or receive extra pocket money for next month. You may ask if they would like to give a gift
Step 5. Try to understand the purpose of the study
Have you ever faced a pile of questions answering questions and once done, you didn't understand what it was for? Things like this sometimes we experience while studying. Know when you need to find out why to make your job easier. If you don't know the goal, don't do it first. Try to figure out what the goal is.
When you have to answer the question: “What view does R. A. Kartini?" it's good you find out who R. A. Kartini. Once you know the background of R. A. Kartini during her lifetime, continued to discuss related materials to answer these questions
Step 6. Learn actively
Even if the teachers already know, they won't tell you that reading can be very boring, especially if the topic isn't interesting. So that you can study well and concentrate more easily, use active reading techniques. You'll find it easier to concentrate and get good grades in the following ways:
- Ask yourself questions as you read.
- Take your eyes off the page you're reading and then repeat the reading briefly.
Step 7. Record the concepts, characters, plot, and events described
Use as few words as possible and summarize the examples given to explain your understanding. Make notes using abbreviations. Also note the page number, title, and author of the book so that you can use them if you need to write a bibliography or for other reasons.
Take quizzes as part of your notes, as you read, and use them again when you want to confirm or review what you've learned
Step 8. Access the internet and return to study after a break
During your break, take the time to browse the internet or open Facebook. Restart your phone to check if there is an incoming SMS or call. Don't waste time just answering it, unless it's absolutely essential. Do all the activities you enjoy, but only for a few minutes. Leave all these activities and then go back to studying. You'll feel better now that you're able to use your phone and access the internet, even if it's only for a short time.
Taking short breaks to recuperate can improve your ability to concentrate. This method may seem distracting and make you lazy to study, but it turns out that you can get more done as long as you are able to use your time off wisely
Part 2 of 4: Creating a Supportive Environment
Step 1. Determine the right place to study
Find a quiet place with a suitable environment for studying, such as a quiet, distraction-free room or library, to make it easier for you to concentrate. Keep the TV, pets, and anything else distracting. Also prepare comfortable chairs and good lighting. Try not to strain your back, neck, and eyes while studying because the pain will interfere with concentration.
- Don't study while watching TV because you just resume doing your homework after the ad shows. Turn on the TV or radio briefly while taking a short break, as you would when you grab a drink or want to get some fresh air.
- Sit in a chair and use a study table. Don't study in bed, unless you really want to read in the folds of the blanket while sitting at the head of the bed with the reading light on. However, do not read while lying down because you will fall asleep. In addition, you will associate the bedroom with studying, creating the impulses you want to avoid.
Step 2. Prepare all study needs
Place stationery and books in an easily accessible place so you don't get distracted while studying. Tidy up the study room first so that there are no piles of things that fill your mind. Thus, you do not have to stand up from the chair so as not to disturb the peace of learning.
Have all the necessities near you, even if you don't necessarily use them. Place the textbooks, notes, and sheets of paper you need (including class schedules) in an easy-to-reach place. This method is preparation for success. Use a laptop if it is really needed to study. If not, stay away
Step 3. Prepare a snack near the study area
Choose snacks that can be eaten right away, such as nuts, strawberries, a slice of apple, or a small piece of unsweetened chocolate. Keep some water handy, but don't drink too much coffee, caffeinated tea, or energy drinks because you'll be up all night. These drinks only make your body more sluggish so you feel very tired and can't be overcome by any means other than sleep.
If you want to know foods that are highly nutritious, look for information about berries, spinach, pumpkin, broccoli, chocolate without sugar, and fish that are very useful to help the brain work so you can study well
Step 4. Write down your study goals
What do you want (should) achieve today? What do you have to do to feel like you've done all the work? These are objectives that will show you what to do while studying.
Define achievable goals. If you have to read 100 pages this week, divide it into 20 pages per day. Don't study beyond your ability. Remember that your time is limited. If you have just an hour of free time tonight, complete the most important tasks first
Step 5. Turn off cell phones and other electronic devices
This method keeps you from wanting to procrastinate studying so that your assignments can be completed according to plan. Use the computer only for study and avoid unnecessary distractions. Set your phone so that no calls come in, unless it's an emergency.
Use the SelfRestraint, SelfControl, and Think apps that can block websites and programs that distract you easily. Work on identifying your own needs by deciding whether you should temporarily block Facebook. Don't worry, you can access it again later
Step 6. Play some relaxing music
There are people who find it easier to concentrate when listening to music, but there are also those who find it distracting. Find out the most appropriate music for you. The soft sound of music in the background makes you forget that you are studying, making the atmosphere even more enjoyable.
- The right music for studying is not the music you listen to everyday. Music that you know well because you already know the song can easily distract you or even invite you to sing. Play other genres of music to see if you like it, but don't let it grab your attention.
- Use a white noise app that produces natural sounds, such as birdsong, rain, streams, or other fun sounds to help you learn. There are white noise apps online that you can download for free.
Part 3 of 4: Improve Concentration Ability
Step 1. Observe your body condition
Energy in our body can be in a high or low state at any given time. Try to figure out when your body is high on energy. Studying when your energy is high makes it easier for you to concentrate and retain the information you've memorized. You have to work hard to learn when your body is low on energy.
There are people who prefer to study in the morning when they still have a lot of energy. There are also those who prefer to study at night after resting for a while. Whenever the time is right for you, get to know your body and use that time to learn
Step 2. Get in the habit of getting enough sleep
Getting enough sleep at night is very beneficial for our body. In addition to regulating hormone secretion and storing information, sleep is a way to restore energy for the next day's activities. In reality, trying to focus when your body is very tired is the same as focusing when you are drunk. If you're having trouble concentrating, this may be the cause.
Many people need 7-9 hours of sleep a night. There are also people who need to sleep more or less. How long do you sleep without setting an alarm? Get into the habit of going to bed earlier at night as needed
Step 3. Eat healthy foods
You are what you are today because of what you eat. If you eat healthy food, your mind will be healthy too. Get in the habit of eating colorful fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats and dairy products, nuts (which aren't fried in oil or made into fatty candies), and healthy fats, such as those found in unsweetened chocolate. and olive oil. A healthy diet gives you more energy and makes it easier to think when taking exams.
Avoid foods that contain bleaching agents, such as white bread, wheat flour, butter, and sugar. These foods are unhealthy and sugary drinks make you sleepy in class and while studying at home
Step 4. Control your thoughts
Try to motivate yourself, if needed. You can focus on trying to convince yourself that you can. Control your thoughts with positive thinking: “I can concentrate well.” No one can stop you, except yourself.
Apply the "five more" rule. Tell yourself to do five more things or five more minutes before quitting. After that, do five more things/minute. Divide your work into smaller tasks to shorten the time to concentrate and allow you to think longer
Step 5. Do the unpleasant tasks first
When your mind is fresh, you have the best ability to concentrate. Study the material that is the most difficult to understand before studying the easier (less challenging) but more detailed material. If you finish the easy tasks first, you will think and feel stressed about having to do the more difficult tasks, reducing your productivity and ability to concentrate.
This means, don't push yourself while studying or feel helpless and give up when faced with difficult essay questions or questions. At times, a difficult task will be overwhelming and time-consuming. Try to limit your time by doing other easier tasks first
Part 4 of 4: Using Technology for Your Good
Step 1. Consider whether sound therapy with alpha waves can improve your ability to focus, remember, and concentrate while you study and do other activities
Look online for information about binaural beats and listen with headphones or earbuds. If this method works for you, the results will be great!
Listen while learning. For best results, you should listen to the binaural beats in a low-to-moderate voice during your study, but you can listen to them at any time
Step 2. Follow all the steps and tips to concentrate
These audio recordings can improve your memory when combined with a good study schedule, healthy food, rest, and other useful things while you study. Learning is an important aspect of your life. Learning to properly focus and concentrate will be a skill you will need for life.
Step 3. Observe what the sounds around you look like after listening to a binaural beat
After listening to a binaural beat for several hours, your ears need to adjust to the sound waves in the room and sometimes hearing distortion occurs. When listening to a binaural beat, some people experience certain sensations that feel strange, but in general this therapy can help.
- During the first 10-25 minutes, you may experience headaches because your brain is adjusting. If the headache has not gone away after 30 minutes, do not continue this therapy.
- You can play music while listening to the binaural beats for more fun because both can help improve your ability to concentrate.
Tips
- Mark important words and sentences and read them over and over to make it easier for you to memorize them. Close the book and say it out loud or write down the words/sentences. Get to know your study habits, for example by rereading notes or textbooks. Make a memory map using sticky pictures and colorful markers to make your lessons more interesting.
- Complete tasks every day so that you get used to getting work done on schedule. Make a schedule for each subject. Usually, there are subjects that are more difficult and require more time. Easier subjects can be reduced in time.
- Think that you can reach the highest score. Leave other activities behind and focus on reading textbooks, but don't force yourself to study overnight.
- Persistence is the secret to achieving both short and long term goals. Develop your talents, pursue what you want by being the best, develop your abilities, and continue to hone your talents or skills.
- Think carefully about what you would do if you failed because you got an F or under 35 and then try to fix it.
- Prepare snacks, fruit, cold juice (in a closed container/thermos), chips, and water so that you don't get hungry, stay awake, don't feel sleepy, and stay energized. Taking a cold shower before studying makes your body more relaxed and refreshed.
- Set a target with a deadline and work towards achieving it. Remember that you can achieve what you believe in. Your dreams or hopes can come true by setting goals and achieving them one by one (college, work, family). Imagine the future you want! Think of the good things you will do after your main goal is achieved. Postpone short-term pleasures so that you can achieve a more important long-term goal (your goal of living a better/best life).
- Make sure your study room is bright enough to focus your vision. Study in the library if you have trouble concentrating at home. Many people enjoy studying in the library because it is quieter!
- Determine the goals or plans that you want to realize so that it is easier for you to concentrate and be willing to work hard to achieve them. Say to yourself: “From now on, I will leave my phone/computer and study for 30 minutes. After that I'll turn on my phone for 10 minutes and then go back to studying.” Determine a study schedule that you can run and provide time to rest.
- Don't just read over and over again. Read slowly while thinking and explain the meaning to yourself. If you understand, express the meaning and memorize it. If you can't summarize what you've just read, you probably don't understand it very well. Read again while trying to understand each sentence. Find the main idea and then express the concept according to your understanding, either silently or say it slowly. This method can help you concentrate. Summarizing and rearranging the idea statement motivates you to provide feedback and question the topics you are studying.
Warning
- Do not study too long without stopping because the brain is not able to concentrate continuously. In the end, you have to think about other things because you can no longer concentrate on the material you are studying.
- Take a break if you start to have a headache. The appearance of a headache indicates a strain on the eyes from working too long.
- Don't sit for hours without changing positions. You have to move. Sitting too long can be detrimental to health.
The Things You Need
- Drinking water in a bottle
- Low calorie snacks
- Notebooks and textbooks
- Paper and stationery
- Quiet place (suitable environment for studying)
- Calculator
- Online or printed dictionary
- Smartphone to search for information on the internet
- Watches/wall clocks
Related wikiHow Articles
- How to Improve Your Concentration
- How to Study for Exams
