Time Management
...into space after reading your textbook, trying to "absorb" the information? Or do you look at pictures of friends or family instead of doing the task in front of you? All of these may eventually lead to wasting time and frustration. Here are a few tips to help you concentrate better: Study in small blocks of time instead of long time periods. Try 60-minute blocks of time and take 10-minute breaks in between. Tell yourself (as crazy as it sounds) before you begin to study. Each time you find your mind wandering, repeat this phrase. Concentrating is a skill and you may need to remind yourself to practice it. Remove distractions from your desk/study space. Minimize noise. Alternate topics, rather than spending 2-3 hours on one subject. Use a hi-liter as you read, underlining the important words in concepts that are presented. Reward yourself once you've completed something. Develop regular study habits -- same place, same time. Try reserving one place for studying that you don't use for anything else.
Where you study will influence your ability to retain information. Sometimes your room isn't the best place for studying. For some, the library is just "too quiet" or creates more distractions for socializing. Eliminate or minimize noise. Stay away from the phone! (If it's really important they'll call back.) Make sure you have adequate lighting. Have what you need to study at hand, so you don't have to get up so much to get things. Take a few minutes to straighten your study space before you start. Don't get too comfortable while you're studying. A bed is not the best place - try a straight-backed chair and desk. In addition to the above tips, there are probably other places around you - on campus or off - that could easily become positives study environments. Try your church (or campus ministry).
You may be overwhelmed with a large task or even with trying to...
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