Enhance Concentration

What is concentration?

Concentration can be defined as focusing attention on one thing, and to one thing only. Quite often it is our way of life that takes away our former ability to concentrate fully. Small children are very skilled in concentration. Children can get very absolved in their play.

You can do exercises to strengthen your ability to concentrate. For example, examine an ordinary object such as a paperclip, as if you have never seen it before in your life.

How can you learn to concentrate better?

  • Visualise
    It forces attention to one thing only. If you try to see specific pictures as you read, it will help you concentrate.
  • Do not allow yourself to look back
    You force yourself to concentrate in order to get the meaning the first time.
  • Be sure of your purpose
    When you read for a particular purpose, you will concentrate on what you read because, as you read, you ask yourself, "Does this satisfy my purpose?"

In addition, the following helps remembering.

  • Associate
    When you associate, you make the things you want to remember relate to each other in some way. Once you know what you are looking for, you can try to remember the information by fitting it into some general category.
  • Repeat
    Repeat the procedures for associating, visualisation and concentration frequently. Repetition helps to burn information into your memory.

Major cause of poor concentration

Being distracted.

Two types of Distraction:

  • Environment e.g.
    • Noise e.g. loud music
    • Poor ventilation Light - too bright or too dim
    • Furniture Uncomfortable or too comfortable chair
    • Insufficient working space - too much clutters
    • 'Interesting' things in view e.g. TV, activities outside window
    • Telephone
    • Fridge
    • People e.g. friends, roommates
  • Personal e.g.
    • Daydreaming
    • Lack of rest / tiredness
    • Anxiety
    • Worries
    • Feeling overwhelmed by tasks
    • Lack organisation / Jumping from task to task
    • Physical discomfort: illness, pain, headache, hunger, ate too much.
    • Negative thinking:
      • "This is too difficult."
      • "I'll never get this done."
      • "I can't do it."
    • Lack motivation/interest - "What's the point?"
    • ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) - excessive slow (theta) brainwaves, and not enough fast (beta) brainwaves

How to minimise distraction

  1. Examine your place of study
    1. Adequate lighting
    2. Adequate ventilation
    3. Not too warm or too cold
    4. Supportive furniture
    5. No audio distractions
    6. No visual distractions
    7. Try cafeteria, library, empty classroom
  2. Eat, sleep, exercise
    1. Decent nutrition
    2. Adequate sleep
    3. Exercise regularly to increase a sense of wellbeing
  3. Motivate yourself
    1. Bring a sense of purpose to the task - have a clearly defined purpose.
    2. Bring interest in the material - create relevancy by relating the material to what interests you.
    3. Break down a task into manageable chunks.
    4. Have regular breaks
    5. Reward yourself when the task is completed - positive reinforcement.
  4. Have a worry book
    1. Write down your worries.
    2. Set aside time to resolve worries.
    3. If you must worry, enjoy it!

Preparation for study

  1. Why
    What for? What is the purpose?
  2. What
    Set goals - be realistic, work with manageable chunks.
  3. When
    Set time; allow time for breaks.
  4. Where
    Prepare your study environment.
  5. With whom
    Have a study-buddy; alone.
  6. How
    Be creative with learning; maintain interest.

Mental preparation

  • Positive thinking
  • Know your objectives.
  • Bust negative thinking

Write down thoughts which hamper your concentration.

Next to each statement, write down a neutralising statement.

Psychological preparation

  • Positive visualisation
  • Exercise will power and determination
  • Stay in the here and now
  • Practise relaxation exercises

This advice page was written by Munha Lee.