2. Improve Concentration
•Many college students report problems concentrating on their studies.
•This problem interferes during class and when students are 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.

3. Improve Concentration
Creating a Study Environment
•Find a place to study and keep it for study only
•Tool-up the environment with all study needs
•Control noise level and the visual environment to acceptable levels
•Avoid relaxing while working; create a work atmosphere
When to Study
•During the day and early evening
•When there are the fewest competing activities
•When adequate rest periods are provided
•Stop studying when fatigue or lack of attention occurs

4. Improve Concentration
How to Study & Concentrate
•When distracters are present, become intensely involved.
•Keep a pad of paper handy to jot down extraneous thoughts
that cross your mind while studying.
•Set study goals before you begin each period of study
(number of pages, number of problems, etc.).
•Design adequate rewards after specified goals are attained.
•Break up the content of study by mixing up subjects and
building in variety and interest and removing boredom.

5. Improve Concentration
More Study Tips
•Make the most of rest periods-do something different
•Don't try to mix work and play.
•Start with short study periods and build to longer periods only as
fast as you maintain concentration.
•If necessary, make a calendar of events to clear your mind of
distractions.
•Realize that you won't lose friends, respect, or a "good time" just
because you're studying.
•Plan the length of your study period by the amount of material
you have decided to cover, not by the clock. (Often the clock is one
of the most serious distracters.)

6. Increase Motivation
Assess Your Motivation to Achieve
•Are you dissatisfied until you really understand what you are studying?
•Do you set goals only that you can easily reach?
•Do you make an honest effort to get the best grades you can?
•If you don’t understand something, do you just ignore it?
•If you are bored with an assignment, do you keep working anyway?
•Do you usually complete homework assignments on time?
•Do you really try to learn from errors you make on a test?
•Do you believe a student must have high grades in order to have a sense of achievement?
If your answers indicate a lack of scholastic motivation, you may want to meet with a
career counselor or a personal counselor to discuss any concerns you have about your
career choice and your success in college.

7. Increase Motivation reach their potential and those who
•The major difference between students who
don't is motivation. Students with greater motivation will really dig in and learn as
much as possible for the time and money spent on their education.
•The most important factors interfering with motivation are:
-Depression
-Homesickness
-Peer pressure
-Personal relationships and family problems
-Unclear career goals
Successful students, who are motivated to achieve, either seek assistance from
professionals or resolve these problems on their own.
Why are you here?
•Because of friends? Parents? Sports?
•Do you have definite plans after graduation?
•Can you discipline yourself to study long hours, putting off immediate satisfaction of your
other needs?

8. Increase Motivation
Motivation is considered to be one of the most significant factors determining
success or failure in college or in any other undertaking.
•If you think you have a motivation problem, the following suggestions may help you
as they have helped other students:
•Develop some realistic, concrete reasons for spending a few years of your life
doing whatever is necessary to earn your degree.
•Produce some realistic, concrete career goals.
•Relate present academic work to your future career goals.
•Spend time with others already in your profession to reinforce your plans.
•Decide what grade you want in each course and then record your progress.