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Concentration:
How Can I do this?
Set aside a place that is for studying only! 
  1. Find a specific place that you can use for studying like the library, vacant classrooms, a study lounge, or other area. 
  2. Use your study area at a specific and regular time.  You are trying to make studying a habit and in order to do that you have to be consistent and regular in your patterns.  
  3. Use your study area only for studying.  Bring everything you will need with you such as books, papers, dictionary, and laptop computer.  Don't write letters to family or friends, daydream, have conversations, etc.  
  4. Make sure your study area is comfortable.  It should have:
 
  1. Good lighting
  2. Ventilation or airflow that is comfortable.  (Don't sit directly under the air conditioning vent)
  3. Comfortable chair, but not too comfortable
  4. A desk or table space large enough to spread out your materials.
Don't try to study with:
  1. a distracting view of other activities that you want to be a part of.
  2. a telephone
  3. a radio or audio system or TV
  4. a roommate or friends
  5. a refrigerator
Divide your work into small, short-range goals
Don't set a goal as vague and large as "I'm going to spend all day studying".  You will only set yourself up for failure and discouragement.
Take the time block that you have scheduled for studying and set a reachable study goal such as: finish reading 3 sections of Chapter 7 in Psychology or complete four math problem, or write the rough draft of the introduction of my English paper.
Set your goal when you sit down to study but before you begin the work.
Set a goal that you can reach.  You may, in fact, do more than your goal but set a reasonable goal even if it seems to easy.
Study Location Assessment
Think of three places where you study.  Assess each one by answering true or false questions below.
#1_____ #2_____ #3_____ Other people often interrupt me when I study here.
#1_____ #2_____ #3_____ Much of what I can see here reminds me of things that don't have anything to do with studying.
#1_____ #2_____ #3_____ I can hear the radio or TV when I study here.
#1_____ #2_____ #3_____ I can hear the phone ringing or talk on the phone when I study here.
#1_____ #2_____ #3_____ I think I take too many breaks with I study here.
#1_____ #2_____ #3_____ I usually don't study here at regular times each week.
#1_____ #2_____ #3_____ My breaks tend to be too long when I study here.
#1_____ #2_____ #3_____ I am drawn into conversations with people when I study here.
#1_____ #2_____ #3_____ There are many things there that don't have anything to do with studying or school work.
#1_____ #2_____ #3_____ Temperature conditions here are either too hot or too cold.
#1_____ #2_____ #3_____ The chair, table, and lighting arrangements here are not very helpful for studying.
#1_____ #2_____ #3_____ When I study here, I'm distracted by other people.
#1_____ #2_____ #3_____ I don't enjoy studying here.
The locations with the most "false" answers is probably the best place to study.  Try to maintain a regular schedule of studying or reading in this place.
Written by:  Susan Rood, Director, Disability Support Services, Longwood, 2000.