Listening and Improving Concentration

1. Listening and ImprovingConcentration How to Improve Your Study Skills

2. Concentration Tip #1 Study in a quiet place free from distractions and interruptions. Try to create a space solely for studying.

3. Concentration Tip #2 Make a study schedule that shows what tasks you need to complete and when you plan to accomplish each task.

4. Concentration Tip #3 Try to study the time of day that works best for you…some work well in the early morning, some work well in the afternoon and still others work better late at night.

5. Concentration Tip #4 Make sure you are not tired or hungry when you study or you will not have the energy you need to study.

6. Concentration Tip #5 Don’t try to do two tasks at one time. You won’t be able to concentrate on either one very well. Concentration means focusing on one thing to the exclusion of all else.

7. Concentration Tip #6 Break large tasks into a series of smaller tasks that you can complete one at a time. If you tackle that huge project all at once you may feel overwhelmed.

8. Concentration Tip #7 Relax. It is hard to concentrate when you are tense. It is important to relax when you are working on a task that requires concentration.

9. Concentration Tip #8 Clear your mind of worrisome thoughts. Monitor your own thoughts to prevent you from following any that get you off track.

10. Concentration Tip #9 Develop an interest in what you are studying. Try to relate it to your own life to make it as meaningful as possible.

11. Concentration Tip #10 Take breaks when you feel tired. Do something you enjoy.

12. Studying without concentration is like trying to fill a bucket with a hole in the bottom with water. It doesn’t work.

13. Good listening in class Much of what you learn in class is presented verbally. Just hearing what your teacher says is not the same as listening to it.

14. Be cognitively ready to listen when you come to class. Make sure you complete all assigned work and readings. Review your notes from previous class sessions Think about what you already know

15. Be emotionally ready to listen when you come to class. Your attitude is important. Make a conscious choice to find the topic useful and interesting Commit yourself to learning whatever you can.

16. Listen with a purpose Identify what you expect and hope to learn from the class session. Listen for those things when the teacher speaks.

17. Listen with an open mind Be receptive to what your teacher says It is good to question what is said as long as you remain open to points of view other than your own

18. Be attentive Focus on what your teacher is saying. Try not to daydream and let your mind wander. Maintain eye contact with your teacher.

19. Be an active listener Because you can think faster than I can speak, try to figure out what will be said next Take good written notes about what your teacher says—you can’t write faster than he/she speaks so decide what is important to write down

20. Meet the challenge Don’t give up and stop listening if you find the material difficult Listen even more carefully Ask questions

21. Triumph over the Environment The classroom may be too noisy, too hot, too cold, too bright or too dark. Don’t give in to these inconveniences. Stay focused on the big picture-learning

22. Listening Tips Focus on the message-don’t allow others to distract you Listen for main ideas-identify the main point and supporting details Take notes In your notes state the speakers main ideas in your own words Review and mentally summarize main points Pay attention to nonverbals

23. Listening Tips cont Adapt yourself to teacher’s methods Check every tendency for mind wandering—taking notes helps you to listen and focus Listen critically, thoughtfully and understandingly Ask questions Keep an open mind Get ready to listen when class starts