Why can't I concentrate?

Concentration is your ability to work without letting people, feelings or activities interfere.

There are three steps to developing your concentration ability:

• establish some concentration

• increase concentration

• develop the concentration habit.

Establish It!

External distractions are things around you (people, noises, smells, etc.) which might and probably will attract your attention. Be aware of what they are and separate yourself from them.

Internal distractions are things inside you (thoughts, emotions, physical feelings, hunger, tiredness, etc.) which tend to attract your attention. Be aware of what they are and control them:

• stop distracting thoughts that pop into your mind, as soon as you're aware of them. See a counsellor for help in learning this skill

• do something about things that are bothering you, preferably before you begin to study.

Increase It!

Plan to concentrate ... in other words, be prepared to attend to the task at hand. How interested are you in what you are doing? If not much, then try to come up with reasons for developing an interest. Try to identify what it means to you or how you could use it in your life.

The following techniques are useful to increase concentration:

• divide tasks into manageable parts. Achievement will come sooner and more often!

• keep track of your thoughts (e.g. mark an "x" in your textbook each time you catch yourself daydreaming)

• use a pencil, highlighter, or anything else that will increase your active involvement in what you're doing

• vary your activities; a change is as good as a rest ... why torture yourself?

• plan breaks according to your concentration span (you're not a machine!).

Make It a Habit!

Establish a regular place to do your work and decide on a regular starting time for doing work. Just as certain times and places are associated with eating, so it can be with concentration. Try to be consistent. Let yourself get into a pattern of concentrating. Mature students may find it difficult to have a regular routine at home. However, is there a regular time or place at school that you can go to concentrate?

Points to Think About

• Concentration is not an innate or inborn ability; it must be learned and developed like any other skill.

• It's worth learning how to concentrate because you'll get more done.