Allen: Good morning, Susan. Come in.
Susan: Good morning, Allen.
Allen: What can I do for you?
Susan: I've come for some advice. I'm a first-year student. I want to know how to control my concentration to study.
Allen: That's a good question. I think you can improve your concentration by identifying and eliminating internal and external distractions.
Susan: What's an internal distraction?
Allen: Internal distractions are physical feelings that you can take control of since they originate within you. External distractions may be beyond your control, but you can learn to control your reactions to them.
Susan: But how?
Allen: To minimise internal and external distractions, you can take care of your physical needs before beginning a task, maintain a positive attitude towards studying, and you can work to solve problems that you know cause your worry and stress.
Susan: Yes, go on.
Allen: You can improve your concentration by having a good place to study. The ideal home or dorm study environment is as distraction-free as you can make it.
Susan: That's true. I can make it into a nice study place.
Allen: You can choose a quiet location with adequate lighting. Select comfortable furniture suited to your needs. Keep your books and supplies readily available so you don't have to interrupt your studying to find them. Prominently display motivational aids, such as a calendar, weekly and semester or quarter plans or assignments on which you have made good grades.
Susan: I understand. I should find a nice and comfortable study place before I start to study.
Allen: You are right. And how you study can also affect your concentration. Use your time efficiently. Break large tasks into smaller ones. Study similar subjects at different times. Take frequent breaks. Reward yourself for work accomplished. By the way, do you share your textbooks with other students?
Susan: No. I have my own textbooks.
Allen: That's good, otherwise you will be influenced by what another student thought if the book is underlined or highlighted by others.
Susan: Thank you very much. I'll try the methods you have mentioned.
Allen: Good luck.
Susan: OK. Bye.