Concentration and memory work together but one does not lead to the other. To concentrate is to direct your mental powers or your efforts towards a particular activity, subject or problem. Memory is the ability to remember information, experiences and people. There are some specific skills that can be learned to enhance both concentration and memory. Practicing these skills is likely to improve one's success as a student.
Once something is stored in our brain, we never forget it. We may, however, have difficulty recalling the
information. It is also possible that the information we are trying to recall was never stored. This program will help you understand the structure of memory and also suggest some skills you can use to try to improve your memory.
Good concentration will enhance memory. If we only practice skills that improve our memory but never look at factors that enhance concentration, our efforts will only be marginally successful. For this reason, some tips for improving concentration will also be discussed in this program.
We can divide strategies for improving concentration into two categories. Each category can include numerous strategies. It is not necessary to do all of them but the more of them you use, the more you are likely to be able to improve your ability to concentrate.
Study Environment |
| Distraction free |
| Conditions (i.e. chair, desk, temperature, and lighting) are conducive to studying |
| Materials you need for studying are present |
Structure for Study Sessions |
| Develop realistic goals for the study session |
| Decide the order in which you will complete tasks |
| Plan a reward
Now that you have assessed the quality of the three locations you study most frequently, let's look at variables that make certain environments more conducive to study than others. | Distraction Free | Much study time is wasted by distractions, whether that is talking to friends, playing computer games or watching TV. Think about your last study period. How long did you try to study (time from beginning to end) and how much of that time was actually spent studying? If there is a big discrepancy in your response to these two questions, you may wish to explore another study location with fewer distractions. The result may be that it actually takes you less time to accomplish the same amount of work because you are able to stay focused in that environment more easily. Another source of distractions may be personal concerns, which can be more difficult to control. If you find that this is your greatest study distraction, you may wish to talk with a counselor on your campus to try to find ways to reduce or resolve your personal concerns. | Conditions (i.e. chair, desk/table, lighting, and temperature) are conducive to studying | The chair used for studying should be comfortable enough that you can sit for 45 - 50 minutes at a time. Sitting at a desk or table that provides adequate space for your materials to be spread out is important. The lighting in the room should not cause eye strain and the temperature should be comfortably cool. | Materials needed are present | It's important to make sure you have everything you will need for a particular study session present when you begin. If you're going outside your room to study, think through what you will need to accomplish your study goals and take it with you. |
MEMORY BASICS Creating conditions for better concentration is likely to improve the quality of your studying; however, it is also necessary to implement skills that will enhance your ability to remember the material you are studying. The next few pages will review four skills that can improve memory:
| | organizational skills, | | using your body, | | using your brain, and | | including time for recall. |
ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS Learn main ideas first, then details | At the beginning of the semester, preview your textbook for each chapter to get an idea about what you will be learning in the class. Prior to reading each chapter, preview the chapter to gain an understanding of the topics that will be covered in the chapter and what you will be expected to learn from your reading of the chapter. This will provide a framework for understanding the details you will gain as you read the chapter. | Make the information relevant | Try to make connections between what you are learning in class and your everyday life or your future career. Making the information meaningful to you will make the information easier to learn and remember. Link the information you already know with new information. Creating associations also makes the information easier to learn and remember. Information is stored in our brains according to a scheme. Creating these associations helps to fit the new information into the schemes that already exist in your brain. |
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CONCLUSIONImproving memory and concentration can be challenging. If you want further information about strategies to use to improve these skills, you may wish to review other Internet pages on the Cook Counseling Center web site related to concentration and study distractions. You may also wish to review the on-line resources about memory from Chapter 3 of the textbook, Becoming a Master Student, 9th edition, or purchase a copy of this text from a local bookstore. If you have been trying to improve your memory and concentration but the strategies you're trying just don't seem to be helping as much as you would like, please contact the Cook Counseling Center or the counseling center or learning skills center on your campus to arrange an appointment with a counselor.
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