Concentration
How to maximize your focus
Concentration is pivotal to learning. However, it can easily fail if the right conditions are not present. For concentration to occur successfully, your mind needs to be clear to allow your attention to be focused on the tasks at hand. Here are some tips on how you can improve your concentration to increase your chances of success.
An ideal environment for studying
To optimize concentration, it is important to have a dedicated workspace for learning. This should ideally be in an environment that is free from interruptions and distractions.
- Choose the ideal working environment for you, a place where you feel most comfortable, and work there regularly.
- Select a quiet, uncluttered place that is well lit and free of unnecessary materials. Then, when you sit down at your workplace, you will immediately find yourself in an environment where you can concentrate.
Switch off to get in good shape
In order to focus attention on the task at hand, one must first put oneself in a suitable frame of mind. To do this, it is essential to reduce sources of distraction, especially those emanating from Internet-enabled devices.
- Turn off the WLAN when you don't need the Internet and put your smartphone in airplane mode. That way, you will not be disturbed by notifications.
- Manage social networking distractions using free apps like Freedom or Self Control
- Increase your motivation and focus with the Forest app, which encourages you to plant trees while you work.
Organizing for better focus
Structuring the work allows you to maintain focus, prioritize and deal with one subject after another. This way you improve your efficiency, productivity and focus.
- Dispel distracting thoughts and concerns that would distract you from your task. Write them down quickly, set them aside, and come back to them later, if necessary, during your break.
- Establish a preparation ritual (routine) to help you focus (prepare a specific drink before you dive into the subject matter, take a specific route to your workplace etc.).
- Use the Pomodoro Method to increase your attention and concentration and to learn how to reduce distractions. The Pomodoro Method is an incredibly effective tool where you divide your tasks into 25-minute sections and use a timer to control the timing. To use this method, you must first define the task to be done, then start the timer and get to work. When time is up, take a five-minute break and then set the next task. Start again with a 25-minute cycle, then take a 10-minute break. Continue in this way, systematically increasing your break time by another 5 minutes per completed cycle.
- To learn more about how to better organize your work, see the chapter on organization.
The importance of breaks and rewards
Regular breaks help revitalize the mind, regenerate the brain, and make it easier to concentrate afterwards. Set goals and rewards, such as allowing yourself a moment of relaxation at the end of each chapter.
- Take regular breaks after every hour of work.
- Move around and get some fresh air, a change of scenery allows the brain to recharge.
- Remember to drink enough fluids
A healthy mind in a healthy body
A healthy lifestyle (enough sleep, a balanced diet, sports) is an excellent basis for studying. Getting in good condition means having a balanced lifestyle.
- Encourage physical activity, which helps relieve stress.
- Make sure you get enough sleep, lack of sleep disrupts concentration.
- Pay attention to your diet, eat a varied and balanced diet to stimulate your brain
Tips to improve your concentration during class
- Prepare ahead of time and review your notes just before class. This will help you immerse yourself in the topic and concentrate more quickly.
- During class, pay attention to topics that might be asked on the exam.
- Taking notes, especially handwritten notes, can increase your concentration and reduce sources of distraction.
- Stay on topic by asking questions that help you better understand the subject.
- Boost your motivation by thinking about your study goal and the context of the course you are taking.
Tips
- Determine the ideal work environment.
- Identify the distractions that are harming yourself in order to reduce them.
- Improve your concentration during class.
- Increase your attention and productivity by breaking work into short, concise tasks.
- Stress is the enemy of concentration. For more information on this topic, see Stressmanagement.
Tools
Deal with sources of distraction, increase concentration, improve organization, and create to-do lists - you can do all this with the help of apps that help you manage your tasks.
Manage distractions from online devices
Increase your concentration
Simple Pomodoro Focus 10 for Windows 10
Améliorez votre concentration (Ulaval.ca)
Unifr offers
Psychological support in case of fear and blockage, procrastination and stress management
Thematic workshops on stress management (stress management, strategies against stress and anxiety during studies, motivation)
Coaching and support for organization/planning in difficult personal times le cadre de l’organisation/planification, en cas de période personnelle difficile