Study Skills - Reading for Meaning

 
Improving Concentration

A problem college students frequently encounter is the inability to concentrate and maintain focus. This especially plagues students during class and when attempting to read textbooks. Countless moments are wasted reading and rereading the same paragraph, and important information is missed by sitting in class staring blankly outside, at the clock, at the professor’s receding hairline… Many students maintain amazing degrees of focus—unfortunately, it’s often directed at everything but the contents of the lecture or the textbook.

The average length of a person’s attention span is between 20-90 minutes, varying greatly depending on the person’s interest level in the material at hand. There are, however, techniques that can be used to improve focus and maintain longer periods of concentration.

Studying Outside of Class

One of the most important factors in successful studying is finding a good study location. In determining where to study, take into account noise level, lighting, ventilation, and possible distracters (such as roommates, phones, TV, and other things that have the potential to lure you away from your studies.)

Good places to study include the library, empty classrooms, the Tutorial & Academic Skills Center, or a study lounge. Good and bad places to study are largely a matter of personal preference. However, one situation to definitely avoid is studying in bed—most people, even those with the best of intentions, end up falling asleep.

Don’t sit in an overly comfortable chair because, as with studying in bed, too much comfort leads to sleepiness. Having a table in front of you is ideal; trying to read with a book in your lap can cause neck and eye strain.

If you have assignments you need to get done, let your friends know. They will be less likely to provide distraction if they know you have important work to do. You can even put a "Do Not Disturb" sign on your door.

Make a conscious effort to tune out distractions. Concentrate on not looking up when a door opens or you hear voices outside. After doing this for a while, ignoring interruptions will come naturally. Another solution is to buy a pair of earplugs. Earplugs can transform a less-than-ideal setting into a quiet study area.

To fight boredom and burnout, try varying your subjects. Spend forty-five minutes to an hour on one then switch to another. Sometimes the change of pace is all you need.

Take a short break. Get a drink of water. Walk around a little. This can stimulate better blood circulation to your brain.

Set goals for yourself. Determining attainable goals can give you something to work for. Consider rewarding yourself with a study break or a special treat when you reach your goal.

Get started on a reading assignment by previewing the chapter. Skim through looking at chapter and paragraph headings, pictures, charts, and graphs. Also look at any introduction or summary that is provided. Doing this will allow you to gather a rough outline of the chapter in your mind.

To avoid "eye glide" (looking at the page without taking in the contents), close the book when you get to the end of each section and see if you can recite what you have just learned. If you can’t, go back and re-read. Try adjusting your reading speed, or reading out loud.

Take some deep breaths. Breathe with your diaphragm instead of your chest. This allows more oxygen to get to your brain, which in turn increases effectiveness in areas involved with concentration and learning. This tip also works during class.

Getting More Out of the Lecture

Do assigned reading before going to class. This gives you some background knowledge about the topic, making it easier to follow the lecture and pick out important points.

It is logical to assume that during every class meeting, at least one bit of information that covered will be on the test. Remind yourself of this if you find yourself daydreaming or losing your focus.

People can take in information much faster than people can talk. This leaves you with extra brainpower just looking for something to do. Instead of letting yourself daydream or focus on other stimuli, put that power to good use by taking extra good notes. This will be beneficial for future studying, and will keep you actively involved with the lecture.

Make eye contact with the professor. Get in the mindset that you are having a conversation with the professor instead of just sitting in a lecture. In a conversation, it would be considered rude to stare off into space, sleep, or focus your attention on something else. In reality, a lecture is no different. The professor can see you just as well as you can see him.

If you have a hard time staying awake, bring a (quiet) snack or something to drink. This will give you something to do that can keep you awake without distracting you from the lecture. You can also try taking a brisk walk before class to get your blood flowing.

Write distracting thoughts down on a separate piece of paper. This will free your brain up to concentrate on the lecture. This can also be done while studying on your own.

Study Skills Home :: Time Management :: Note Taking :: Reading :: Test Taking :: Math & Science