7 Concentration Tips for Learning at Home

Are you at the top of your learning game or simply doing school?  While it may feel great to whip through homework and say “done,” attentive learning makes for a far more rewarding education.

Attentive learning takes about the same amount of time as churning out answers, but can save hours of frustration down the road. All you need is tenacity and a bit of self discipline.  Here are some easy ways to help students become more effective learners.

1. Create a study space. Designate a quiet place with bright lighting, good ventilation, a comfortable chair, and a spacious desk.  Keep this area well stocked with supplies.
2. Avoid distractions. Enjoy snacks, phone calls, and text messages before getting underway and during scheduled breaks.  Can’t seem to get started? Learn to stop procrastinating.
3. Set clear goals. Use a homework planner to stay organized and divide work into small, easy-to-manage tasks. To stay motivated, try assigning a set amount of time for each task and study break.
4. Turn away from your work. If your mind wanders, stand up and turn away until you can bring your thinking back to the task at hand.
5. Stop reading. After one section, ask yourself, “What have I read about?” If you answer, “About two pages,” you need to re-read the material.  Try the SQ3R method to improve comprehension.
6. Take a memo. If you think of something that could interfere with your studying, make a note, so you can clear your head and deal with it later.
7. Make study time sacred. Don’t mix work and play.  Manage your time by focusing on your work until a task is complete. Then play during well-earned breaks.

By using the above methods to give work your full focus, you’ll do more than go through the learning motions.  You will absorb new ideas, make connections, and promote the critical thinking necessary to be a star student.