Concentration while studying
There is nothing more frustrating than when you sit down at
your table to study with the most sincere of intentions and instead of being
able to finish the task at hand, you find your thoughts wandering. However,
there are certain techniques one can use to enhance concentration. It depends
on a number of factors. In order to develop our concentration span to be more
productive at our tasks, it is necessary to examine various facts of our
physical and internal environment.
To begin with, we should attempt to create the physical
environment that is conducive to focussed thoughts. We need to first acknowledge
that we indeed have a problem at hand, only then we would be able to act upon
it. Whether it is the TV, phone, or even noisy environment, identifying the factors
that make it difficult to develop concentration is the first task. I personally
disagree with the notion that one can properly concentrate or study in an
environment with distractions. Many people claim that they can concentrate even
with distractions like loud TV, blaring music, phones beside them switched on
with notifications pinging, etc. But the truth is that their attention and
retention powers do not work at optimum levels when they are distracted while
attempting to focus. If possible, it is better to find a place where minimum
level of noise can be heard, so that the mind can focus on one task only.
While there is no cure for a mind that wants to wander, one
should try and provide as little stimulus as possible. That is why one should
try not to place the study table or desk in front of a window. Looking out of a
window when trying to study will invariably send one’s mind on a tangent. After quite some time of experimenting, I
found that the best place for me to study is desk seated in an area surrounded
by blank walls. Whether I look left, right or straight ahead, I wouldn’t be
able to see anything that would distract me (such a place was present in one of
my friends’ room in my hostel in college, and that was where I tried to study
whenever it was unoccupied). One will see that a study place free of
distractions of any kind works wonders for one’s concentration level.
The second important thing is to establish goals for oneself
instead of setting a general target and then trying to accomplish what you can
in a haphazard fashion. It is very important to decide what one has to finish
in a given span of time. The human mind recognises fixed goals and targets, and
appreciates schedules more than random thoughts. Once the thoughts and goals
are in line, a better, focussed system will follow.
While it is true that every person may have their own unique
way for remaining focussed for a long period of time, it is recommended for
people with lower concentration span to divide their schedule in study and
recreation hours. One can choose a mix of subjects they enjoy and dislike, and
save the former for the last so that he/she will have something to look forward
to. One should also try to genuinely take interest in a disliked subject after
clearing all prejudices about the subject and emptying the mind.
Try not sit for more than 40-50 minutes at a stretch. Take a
short break of 5 minutes and then sit down again. Short breaks build one’s concentration
and refresh the mind. There are some exceptional situations where it might be
better not to take a break, for example a situation when one is in a highly
concentrated state of mind and taking even a small break would shatter all of
that concentration, and it would have to be built up again to achieve earlier
level of productivity. But for most situations, it is better to take breaks.
However, be careful not to overdo the relaxation. It may have undesirable
effects.
More than anything else, do not get disheartened. Everyone
is unique and one should try to find an environment that suits them the best.
Concentration is merely a matter of disciplining the mind. It comes with
practice and patience, and does not take long to become a habit for life.
