Concentration problem among students is common and can be heard very often. So be relaxed and don’t take too much stress. Concentration is neither a disorder nor a personality trait.
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It can be improved by simply changing some of your habits! (REALLY)
- Research says we can control our conscious thoughts. So, whenever negative thoughts come to your mind, replace it with some positive thoughts. Remember you are the boss of your mind and only you have that power to control it. Sometime your unconscious mind welcomes unwanted thoughts. It can be blocked at that moment by remembering some funny events or by singing your favorite song.
- Visualize your goal. You have heard about the old saying – We must see it before we can believe it. Studies show that visualization increases performance by improving motivation, coordination and concentration. Before starting this practice, keep yourself calm and relaxed. Sit quietly for five to ten minutes to let your breathing normalise. Then imagine the details of the work that you want to complete in next 1 hour – it can be anything like, sitting in your study table, writing notes, solving test papers etc. Gradually increase the time you spend visualizing to half-an-hour. Continue this practice for a month before exam. It will help you to increase focus on your target and achieve the goal.
- Self-talk strategies facilitate learning and enhance your act. Self-talk can be used to instruct, to motivate, to build confidence, to regulate your emotion, to evaluate your performance. As a whole, it helps you remain focused on your target. Of course, self-talk also can be ineffective if it’s not done right. So, incorporate positive things in your talk like:
- ‘I studied hard for the exam, so I should do well.’
- ‘Lets take a chance. I can do it.’
- Swami Vivekanda once said: ‘Talk to yourself once in a day, otherwise you may miss a meeting with an EXCELLENT person in this World’
Since, talking to yourself is a good idea, start this habit from today. Here are some motivational quotes for you.
- Being a student, set small target for yourself like complete a chapter in 3 hours. Avoid all type of distractions while studying. Don’t forget to switch off your mobile phone while you study. Take short breaks during long study to avoid boredom, to increase concentration.
- Stay hydrated. Water is essential for delivering nutrients to the brain and for removing toxins. Thus for better concentration and mental alertness you should drink plenty of water. Have healthy food to maintain homeostasis in the body. And if your body performs well, your brain also works well. Remember the inability to concentrate is often caused by a lack of sleep. So rest your brain at least 7 to 8 hours in a day. Do some physical exercise for 1 hour everyday to boost your brain function.
- Do some concentrations exercises like:
- Take one of your books, and start counting the words from any one paragraph. Then, count them again, to be sure that you have counted them correctly. After some times, do so with two paragraphs. Gradually, count the words on a whole page. Do the counting in your mind, only with your eyes, without pointing your finger to the words.
- You can also take help from a book to know more about such exercises. ‘The Art of concentration: Enhance focus, Reduce stress and achieve more’ by Harriet Griffey – it is a good book to read.
- Solve some crossword or Sudoku puzzles, play chess or scrabble, crack mathematical puzzles or cryptograms puzzles on daily basis. This will help to improve your concentration powers.
