Whether you were struggling last year or not, becoming an "A" student or maintaining an "A" average is a goal that every student should have. Grades are very important, but even more, so is understanding the concepts. Here are some ways to become an "A" student this school year. Organizational Skills Being organized is an essential skill to have if you want to be an "A" student. This means you have to become very familiar with to-do lists and planners. Have a folder with sections for each subjec t that you do so that you can easily and effectively file handouts, worksheets, notes and test papers. Studying : As it relates to studying, create a list with the topics or points that you wish to study based on the time that you have to study. However, be realistic with what you can achieve in each study session. There are also various study techniques that you can make use of! Homework : When it comes to homework, be sure to create a list of your h...
Comment yes, if you have ever found yourself staring off into the distance while doing homework.
If you are also having difficulty focusing on the task at hand, you might have issues with concentration.
With the global advances in technology, it is easier than ever to lose concentration when doing important tasks.
What is Concentration?
It is the act of exclusively focusing your attention on a single object or topic, without giving into the temptations of distractions. There is no one way to improve concentration, but we will be discussing 7 simple and effective ways that may help you concentrate better. It is worth noting however, that there are many factors that affect concentration, including age and illness, that are out of your control.
Eliminate Distractions
The most obvious solution is to eliminate the things that are drawing your attention away from what is important. In recent research, it was discovered that your cognitive capacity increases when your phone is out of sight, rather than simply being turned off. If your phone serves as a distraction to you, consider silencing all notifications and placing it in a different location. Out of sight, out of mind! If you are distracted by loud noises or social interactions, find a quiet place where you can be by yourself. The point is to identify what distracts you, and find ways to eliminate them.
Work When You Are Most Productive
One way to improve your concentration is to work when you are most productive, after all, you won’t do your best work if you are sleepy or overworked. Like the tip above, this is different for each person. You might notice that you are more lethargic after eating lunch or more focused early in the mornings, while your colleague is the opposite. Determine the different times of the day that you are most productive and schedule your most important or difficult tasks during that time. You can also try starting with the hardest task when your energy levels are usually higher and you are able to focus more. You will most likely become less focused as you complete each task, which is why you should conclude each session with the easier tasks.
Break the Habit of Multitasking
Multitasking seems like the answer when you have a lot of things to do but researchers claim that our brains are not nearly as effective at multitasking as we think they are. Although it seems like you are completing many tasks at the same time (and you very well may be), most times you are actually just shifting your attention from one thing to the next, slowing you down and making it difficult to tune out distractions. Besides, how can you move on to one task when your mind is still trying to make sense of the previous task. Multitasking also deludes you into thinking you are doing more than you actually are, and usually affects your quality of work. Though multitasking itself is not a bad thing, we usually overestimate ourselves and our abilities, and this is what ultimately results in our downfall.
One way to break this habit is using the ‘20 Minute Rule’, which places emphasis on one particular task or activity for 20 minutes without any interruptions or distractions, instead of switching between numerous things at once. You can also group similar tasks together to allow for a more seamless approach of tackling numerous activities.
Take a Break
Taking a break might seem counteractive, but sometimes it’s the best course of action. Even quick 1 minute breaks throughout the day can have a major impact on your concentration levels. In scenarios where you are focusing on one task for long periods of time, it may become stifling and you may find yourself stressed and anxious about completing this task. Take a short break to refocus your attention by going for a walk, engaging in small talk or even having a quick snack. When you return to your task, you should feel a bit refreshed and ready to tackle the situation at hand.
Train Your Brain
Work hard, play harder! Playing certain games can actually improve focus and concentration for both children and adults. Recent research has also garnered positive results in exploring the effect of playing these brain training games on other cognitive abilities such as short-term memory, processing and problem solving skills. Examples of these games include sudoku, chess, crossword and jigsaw puzzles, memory games and word games such as Scrabble. Coloring is also a simple and fun way to train your brain, and is receptive by both children and adults depending on the medium.
Create a Dedicated Space for Work
If it is possible, create a calm and dedicated space for you to work or study. Creating a tidy and organized working environment that personally evokes positive feelings has a significant effect on productivity. Declutter at the end of each day so that the next time you visit this area, you can get right to work without any distractions. This space may be in a crowded café or a secluded desk in a library. Some people require complete silence to work while others thrive in noisy bustling environments. Learn whether silence or sound boosts your concentration, and take advantage of the different environments available to you.
Get More Sleep
Not getting enough sleep is one of the easiest ways to diminish concentration. Although it takes more than just 2 restless nights to really make an impact, it should certainly not be made a habit. Scientists have concluded that sleep deprivation hampers your abilities to perform tasks and impairs judgement. It also makes learning difficult and impairs memory. It is recommended to get 7-8 hours of sleep per night, however if this is unattainable, consider taking small naps later in the afternoon for a mini refresher. One of the main factors that affect your sleep is exposure to blue light before bed. Blue light is emitted from electronic devices such as your phone, laptop or TV, and prevents the secretion of melatonin which is a light sensitive hormone associated with controlling your sleep/wake cycle. A good habit to exercise is to cease the use of these devices at least an hour or two before going to bed. Wearing blue light blocking glasses is also a good alternative. Explore our selection of options here.
Concentration is typically influenced by both internal and external factors, some of which have already been addressed. These factors include but are not limited to eating habits, physical activity, environmental factors, distractions, insufficient sleep, head injuries, mental state and skillset. It is important that you keep these factors in mind and assess how they have affected you and continue to do so.
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Learning how to improve concentration is a personal journey and may require additional strategies or a combination of the aforementioned tips. If you constantly struggle with concentrating on important tasks to a degree that significantly affects your daily living, consider the possibility of different conditions that generally affect concentration, such as ADHD and mental health concerns. In these cases, professional help may be needed.
References:
Cherry, K. (2021, July 30). Cognitive and Productive Costs of Multitasking. Verywell Mind. Retrieved May 22, 2022, from https://www.verywellmind.com/multitasking-2795003#toc-break-the-multitasking-habit
Chia, S. (2021, February 3). 15 Ways to Improve your Focus and Concentration Skills. 15 Ways to Improve Your Focus and Concentration Skills. Retrieved May 22, 2022, from https://www.betterup.com/blog/15-ways-to-improve-your-focus-and-concentration-skills
Peri, C. (2021, June 7). Sleepiness: Cognitive and Emotional Effects. WebMD. Retrieved May 22, 2022, from https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/features/emotions-cognitive#:~:text=Scientists%20measuring%20sleepiness%20have%20found,Sleepiness%20also%20impairs%20judgment.
Raypole, C. (2019, September 3). How to Improve Concentration: 12 Science-Backed Tips, and More. Healthline. Retrieved May 22, 2022, from https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/how-to-improve-concentration
Thanks for sharing this wonderful information
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