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Concentration strategies for students

Submitted by Merlin on October 3, 2007 - 10:43am.

Here’s a wonderful tour de force on Concentration that’s written for students and which includes tips on identifying distractions as well as a useful list of techniques for putting your attention where you want it to be and keeping it there.

A few I liked:

  • At the beginning of a study period, spend a few minutes to calm and relax your mind and body. (Try ‘Focus on Your Breath’ exercise, below.)…
  • Do not tell yourself off or tell yourself to concentrate. When you are thinking about not concentrating, you are not concentrating….
  • If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by all the things you have to do in your life, remember that you can only do one thing at a time…

We have lots more here on battling distraction, including this excellent essay on “good” distractions by Paul Ford.

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Good for work too.

Submitted by berchman on October 3, 2007 - 12:15pm.

I particularly like the idea of a bit of meditation before starting a large period of concentrated work. Even 5 minutes can help. Calms the mind by slowing the “pinball” focusing that can happen.

Our lives are informationally noisy and strategies like these can help. Thanks.