To make the most of your study time, it’s important to optimize your attention. This worksheet will help you identify factors that influence you attention, and allow you to develop a personalized study approach. As you analyze your attention and work habits, consider talking with your friends or family to get more perspectives from those that know you well.
List the sorts of things that positively and negatively influence your attention.
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Attention
Helpers Factors that increase my attention and productivity? (Incorporating movement into studying? Having background noise?) |
Attention
Blockers Factors that get in the way of my attention and productivity? (Sitting with friends? Social media?) |
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Identify the warning signs that your attention is drifting so that you can be prompted to refocus or take a break.
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Body
Signs Fidgeting, tensing muscles, wandering eyes… What else? |
Cognitive
Signs Day-dreaming, re-reading paragraphs, unable to solve a problem… What else? |
Other
Signs On social media, talking with friends, feeling bored or frustrated… What else? |
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How long can you work before needing a break? What length break is optimal? What kind of break recharges you? What times of day is your attention at its best? What times of day does your attention wane?
| Do | Avoid |
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Do you focus better in absolute silence or with background noises? Do peers help or hinder your focus? Is your focus compromised in your room or certain library locations?
| Do | Avoid |
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Have you: organized your materials, prioritized your tasks, selected a study method? Do you need food, drink, a study partner?
| Do | Avoid |
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Now check out PART 2 to learn how to track and monitor your attention, and evaluate your study approach!