Concentration

Practice
You can develop your powers of concentration quite easily - with regular practice.

Start by studying in short periods - followed by a quick break.

But start work again as soon as the pause is over.

You'll find that these study periods can eventually be made longer

You will be developing your ability to engage with your chosen subject.

Once you get to know your subject, studying seems easier.

Planning

If you meet a new subject which is difficult to understand, go back to shorter study periods.

Three or four periods of half an hour is better than a single two hour stint.

You can grasp difficult subjects if you break up study into short, manageable sections.

Avoid stress

Don't force yourself to study if you are tired or fed up.

You won't understand your subject properly if you feel this way.

Have a break, then start work afresh.

If your concentration starts wandering, switch to a different task.

Make a note of what you still need to cover, then do something else.

Choose something more passive such as listening to audio tapes.

Don't make excuses

Don't have breaks just as an excuse for giving up when things become difficult.

There will be times when studying involves a lot of hard work.

Be prepared! Sometimes you will have to force yourself.

Study conditions

Concentration is easier if you create the best possible conditions for study.

You should study alone if possible - free from distractions and interruptions.

You should be in comfortable surroundings - with all your study materials to hand.