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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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concentration while cooking

Submitted by cheftom on October 3, 2007 - 9:30pm.

I teach at a cooking school in Chicago and I have the hardest time getting the cooking students to concentrate while they work. We have a concept in classical cooking called mise en place, everything in its place. I think that some of the concepts in the article can help even the most Rockstar/Red Bull addled students. Thanks Merlin!

Chef Tom