How to Maintain Concentration While Studying (Part 1)
Effective studying is all about routine. This is why we go on and on about how important it is for your teen to have a ‘Study Formula’.Your teen will develop their Study Formula as they get better at studying. It's the set of study techniques and processes they'll eventually use every time they study. Meaning, they'll acquire a strong studying routine.One of the greatest benefits of having a set Study Formula and solid study routine is that it will do wonders for your teen’s concentration. They'll start to approach every study session with clear objectives (because they’ll know how to study!), and as a result you should witness a marked improvement in their concentration.Put into practice, the ideas below will help your teen develop their Study Formula and improve their concentration.
1. Study at the right times.
Is your teen a morning or night person? Maybe that’s a silly question – what teen likes early mornings? But it’s our experience that different students study most effectively at different times during the day.There’s no point in your teen studying late into the night if nothing’s going in. It would be much more productive to go to bed an hour earlier and make use of the morning.Have a chat with your teen about what times during the day they find it easiest to get into their ‘study zone’, and get them to schedule these times into their weekly timetable.
2. Get comfortable – but not too comfortable.
No teen is going to study at their best while lying down on their bed. Lying down equals sleep, and this is not something we want your teen to associate with study!
I (Clare) study best at a desk with lots of space with my books around me.I (Chris) personally study best sitting on the floor in front of a coffee table. I can spread out my work and stretch out my legs when I need to.
There really aren’t any rules here, your teen just needs to figure out what study position works for them.
3. Take regular breaks – but only if they want to.
It’s often suggested that the average person can only keep their focus for around 45 minutes at a time. We don’t believe in blanket study rules such as this one, because everyone’s different. But when your teen finds their concentration fading then it probably is time they took a power-break (15 minutes or so should be heaps).If you think your teen is over-studying (which can be common when exams are fast approaching) it may be worth popping in for a short chat every so often. Even if it’s only to ask what they’re studying, it will change their mindset and give their brain a break, even if for just a few minutes.Plus – talking about their study will help consolidate what they’re learning.
4. Work in a clean space.
It may sound like an insignificant thing, but too much clutter can affect your teen’s study. They need to be focused on the job at hand, and that alone. If there are mounds of stuff in the way they might end up spending more time looking for their books than actually using them.
We hope these simple and practical pointers prove to be helpful in aiding your teen maintain their concentration while they study. We must stress though, a large part of studying means gritting your teeth and just doing it - even when you don’t feel like it.We want these concentration tips to improve the quality of your teen’s study. We don’t want these tips to take place of real study!
Check out the rest of our concentration tips in Part 2. Until then, if you have any concentration tips of your own up your sleeve please share them with us!
Image Credit: Dreamtime
