BE AWARE--CONTROL THE CAUSES!

CONCENTRATION

Three Steps to Improving Concentration

1. Learn the causes of poor concentration.

2. Understand Your Part– what can you do?

3. Make control a habit!!

External Causes

Environmental Distractions:

How can you control External Causes?

Train yourself to study or read away from external distractions! Shut your phone, TV, I-pod, and computer off. I know--easier said than done.

Internal Causes of Distraction

Hunger, Drowsiness, Anxiety or personal worry,

Boredom, Difficult Subject, Daydreaming

Control Hunger and Fatigue!

Hunger-Eat something healthy – a high protein snack

Drowsiness- Do Five minutes of light exercise to wake up

I’m Bored- I don’t like the material

Find a reason to get interested; talk to your teacher or a friend about the subject. Fake it til you make it!

Intimidating Text or Subject Material

Ask for help from your teacher and/or a fellow student.

Break up large chapters/tasks into smaller manageable parts. Finish one part at a time. Give yourself a pat on the back for doing hard work.

Daydreaming

Often happens when we are bored or the text is too hard!

When your mind starts to wander– write down interrupting thought and then continue reading.

ORRecall your reading and write down important

points then take a small break and come back to your reading.

Anxiety or Personal worries

Talk to someone about the assignment—put your coursework into perspective

Get some help!If you have personal worries talk to a friend,

teacher or school counselor that you trust.

You do have control over your CONCENTRATION!

Remember to eat a healthy high protein snack if you are hungry.

5 minutes of exercise will revive you!Find something interesting about the subject

material!If you find thoughts wandering write down the

first thought and then refocus.If you are anxious or worried talk to someone to

get some perspective.If the text is difficult take it piecemeal and/or ask

for help!