In this lesson, you will:
What's "the zone?" Where is it? And how can you get there? Being "in a zone" means different things to different people, but it has some things in common with them all:
When you're in the zone, things get done. Not only do they get done, they get done right, and they get done quickly. (And when you're NOT in the zone, things may get done, but they take a lot longer and they might not turn out so well.)
Nobody can stay in the zone all the time. Everybody needs to slow down once in awhile and rest the brain. But if you can learn to get in the zone when you need to, you can pack more quality studying into less time — and that leaves more time left over for you.
There are lots of things that can keep you from getting in your zone while you're studying. They're called distractions, and the world is full of them. If you have trouble concentrating on your studies, stop right here and take a second to look around you.
What do you see?
What do you ear?
It's awfully tough to concentrate when you've got so many distractions competing for your attention. Part of finding your study zone is finding a time and a place where distractions are minimal.
The fewer distractions you have, the better you can focus on the material. It's that simple.
It's no surprise that distractions can keep you from studying effectively. But sometimes your studies themselves can become a distraction. This is especially true when you have a lot of assignments to do in a short amount of time.
For example, let's say you're way behind pace for three classes at once. To catch up, you've set a goal of finishing seven lessons and assignments in one single weekend.
But when you sit down to the first lesson - which happens to be from your Physical Science class - you can't stop thinking about all the other lessons you have to get done: the two chapters you have to read for English and the essay you have to write for History.
What happens? Your eyes are reading about Physical Science, but your brain isn't listening. You get to the end of the lesson and realize you don't remember a thing - you have to go back and read it again!
Obviously, these little brain "vacations" mean you're stuck at your desk longer than you should be. And that can be downright frustrating.
The best way to keep your mind on a short leash is to focus on one thing at a time. Whether you have a big project due, or just a lot of smaller assignments, break up your study time into short blocks - from 30 minutes to an hour at most.
Try to accomplish one small task in each study block, then reward yourself with a short break. This will help your mind stay fresh so you can get back in the zone when you sit down again.
This chart is an example of how you can organize your study schedule to help maximize your study time. Using a chart is a good idea however; you can create your study schedule using your cell phone calendar, PDA, iPhone, or Outlook calendar. The point of this exercise is to help you think, plan ahead, and maximize your study efforts. This will also help instill the necessary time management skills you will need within the workforce.
Visit the links below for more suggestions on maintaining your concentration and staying in the zone.
Secrets of Studying
Study Guides and Strategies
Interactive Flash Practice — Click, drag and drop each situation to the correct category.
Some people prefer to have study partners. This can be a good way to help reinforce ideas and topics that are being studied. However, be cautious that your study buddies are more of a help to you than a hindrance. It is best to find someone who is studying the same material at the same time in order to maximize your study time. Whether to study with a partner is a personal preference so be sure to maximize your study time and to choose the right approach for you.
Where do you study? Do you have a special place, or do you study wherever you can? Go to the following site and take the survey to find out if your study area helps you get in the zone. Or does it have too many distractions?