Although studying in a dorm room
is convenient, it is often a poor place to learn. The dorm has a
plethora of distractions including the telephone and friends down the
hall. Lying down on the bed to read turns into an hour long nap and a
bright yellow highlighter spot on your sheets!
If you want to improve your concentration and efficiency as a
student, develop a place to study that is just that - a place where you
go to work on academics. The campus is full of good spots to study.
Experiment with what works best for you.
How to Study
 Many students are surprised at the differences in studying at school
and university or higher studies. It requires more than a simple
memorization of facts. Students frequently discover they need to adapt
their study habits to the university setting. Here are some tips for
getting started:
* Study in chunks: 20-50 minute time periods followed by a brief
break (5-10 minutes) is the most effective way to study
* Use daylight hours: an hour of studying during the day is worth two
at night! Do the work that requires the most concentration (typically
reading) earliest in the day.
* Rank your three classes and be sure to spend time on your most
challenging class everyday and early in the day.
* Study actively: ask yourself questions, review your notes
regularly, discuss key concepts with peers and course professor.
www.dartmouth.edu
Concentration
The Problem
Most of the students blame outside distractions for their
concentration problems. But many researchers have found that distracters
don't cause concentration problems directly. It is the way the
distracters are interpreted by the students that disrupts their study.
Creating a Study Environment
1. Find a place to study and keep it for study only.
2. Tool-up the environment with all study needs.
3. Control noise level and the visual environment to
acceptable levels.
4. Avoid relaxing while working; create a work
atmosphere.
When to Study
1. Best during the day and early evening; you'll remember better.
2. Best when there are the fewest competing activities in progress.
3. Best when adequate rest periods are provided.
4. Stop studying when fatigue or lack of attention occurs.
How to Study & Concentrate
1. When distracters are present, become intensely involved.
2. Keep a pad of paper handy to jot down extraneous thoughts that
cross your mind while studying, get them out of your mind and on to
paper.
3. Set study goals before you begin each period of study (number of
pages, number of problems, etc.)
4. Design adequate rewards after specified goals are attained.
5. Break-up the content of study by mixing up subjects and building
in variety and interest and removing boredom.
6. Make the most of rest periods-do something quite different.
7. Don't try to mix work and play.
8. Start with short study periods and build to longer periods only as
fast as you maintain concentration.
9. If necessary, make a calendar of events to clear your mind of
distractions.
10. Realize that you won't lose friends, respect, or a "good time"
just because you're studying... these will keep.
11. Plan the length of your study period by the amount of material
you have decided to cover, not by the clock. (Often the clock is one of
the most serious distracters.)
- Academic Skills Center, Dartmouth College 2001
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