- Try to anticipate the main ideas of the coming lecture:
Look over your notes of the previous lecture and read the course
material.
If you have questions about material from the previous class or text,
ask the instructor before class about them
Prepare a few questions
you expect to be answered on new material if possible
- Resist distractions
by sitting in front of the room away from disruptive classmates and by
focusing on the instructor through
active listening and
note taking
- Put yourself in the "mood" with
attentive expression and posture; do not sprawl
- Shift position in your seat every so often
Don't sit frozen in one position
Shifting on occasion will help keep the blood circulating,
send more oxygen to your brain, and help you remain alert
- When appropriate: ask a question, ask for more clarity,
or engage an instructor and the class in dialogue
- Train yourself not to give in to distractions
The Spider Technique
Hold a vibrating tuning fork next to a spider web. The spider will react
and come looking for what is vibrating the web. Do it several times and the
spider "wises up" and knows there's no bug and doesn't come looking.
You can learn that. When someone enters the room, or when a door
slams, do not allow yourself to participate. Rather, keep your concentration
on what's in front of you.
Form a tunnel between you and the lecturer
- Practice letting people move or cough without having to look at them -
just let them "be out there" as you focus on what is being taught
- When talking with someone, keep your attention on that person, look at
his face, and note what is being said. Let the rest of the world just be
"out there."
- Use the
Be here now
technique to help you regain concentration when you do become distracted
momentarily.
Adapted with permission from
Help Yourself,
University Counseling Services, Kansas State University
See also: J. R. Hayes, The Complete Problem Solver,
Franklin Institute Press, 1981
Flash exercise contributed by
Mike Grinberg and Dr. Brad Hokanson, Interactive Media (DHA 4384)
School of Design, University of Minnesota.
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