How to Concentrate During Your Study Time

Study time is an essential factor in learning your lessons. It requires you to concentrate and focus your mind. Concentration is very important because without this you cannot absorb what you are reading. But in reality many of us while trying to concentrate are occupied with some other thoughts. It could be the latest movie, a basketball game or even your personal life. Sometimes problems could also interfere with our concentration.

To free yourself with the aforesaid distractions, it is a must for you to acquire a skill of discipline and self-control. Remember it is you who has the power to make things or to make it not happen. Hence when its time to study, you must take charge of the things around you or in the place where you study. This means you should have a study table, enough lightning and a peaceful environment. If you manage to have this in your place, it could help you focus on your study.

Another important point you should consider to ensure concentration on your study time is to think first of what you need to learn and accomplish. Make an outline then give yourself a break to recharge your energy. Once you have accomplished your study goal for the day give yourself a reward like eating your favourite dessert.

Tips For Students Who Hate Writing

Writing a term paper, thesis or even an ordinary essay is probably the most hated work by many students. In fact, many of them say that they have this writer’s block. Why? Because they can not start writing a paragraph as they believe that they are not capable of writing a decent write-up. But based on one from one article by Scott Berkun, there is no such thing as writer’s block because it is not the fear of writing that blocks people, it’s its fear of not writing well…

This is so true, if you always think that you can not write well, the chances are you can not really start writing even the opening paragraph for your essay. You need to get over of this thinking. You need to believe in yourself. Writing is just like conversing your feeling or insight about the particular subject. Write about what you believe or what you know in the topic.

You can also hasten your sentence construction if you will create an outline of the topic that you are going to write. Just check your grammar and spellings after you have written the entire essay.

Fun Way to Help You Memorize

If you sometime find yourself unable to memorize something, why not try to sing it? I mean, you can replace the lyrics of any song with the terms or phrases you need to memorize. The song needs not to be complicated; it can be a simple rhyme, your favorite childhood song or an easy rap song.

Singing is one of the activities that access our right brain and the right brain is very good in recognizing pattern. We are actually activating that special function of our brain when we are singing or rhyming words.

This is the reason why the lyrics of songs are lot easier to memorize than ordinary speeches, essay or reports. So the next time that you are starting to be upset because you can not memorize those terms, give your brain some ice breakers by creating your own lyrics! Check this out and you will find that this method is widely used by science students.

Tips When You Need To Spend Long Hours On Study

Reading off-screen is often more convenient and less stressful especially when you need to spend long time in reading. But just like any activity, reading for a long period of time is really tiring whether you read on your PC or off-screen.

So if you are about to read long chapters of book  in just one sitting, it would be better to choose a place where you can comfortably sit for a long time. Many people say that propping a book around 40- 45 degrees by using a book stand or book holder makes reading easier and less tiring because it can also free your hand. And I can also attest for this because I have a nice book holder that I always use when I am reading reference books and even pocket books.

Another tip is that to read in a study table that is similar with the height of dining table.  I really prefer spending time reading and doing home works in our dining table because I do not encounter any neck pain or back pain when I was in this place.

When reading for a long time, don’t forget to bend your arms and legs and to moderately twist your neck once in a while because moving your body is necessary to avoid building up any pressure and stiff muscles. Moving your body and sipping a cup of tea or milk is great to have a more relaxed and attentive spirit while reading.

Are You Forgetful? Increase Your Water Intake

Are you a forgetful student? Do you often experience migraine and headaches? How about that sluggish feeling? If your answer is yes, then perhaps you just need to increase your water intake to revive your brain function.


It is known that 85% of our brain tissue is water. Hence, water is a vital component for the smooth function of our brain. And according to research, if a person is dehydrated, his brain releases a hormone called cortisol that have shrinkage effect to the brain which then leads to the deterioration of the cognition function of brain and decreases its memory power.

Inadequate water in brain is also the culprit of being forgetful, restless and sluggish. Migraine and headaches are also prevalent when our brain lacks water.  So never ever let your self get thirsty because you are making your brain shrink, become restless and forgetful.

Most of us can not comply with the recommended 6 to 8 glasses a day, but if we will only put a bottle of water within our reach, then we can possibly consume at least six glasses daily. Likewise, to increase your water intake, you can put some lemon juice and little sugar to make a flavorful drink.

Remember that by drinking water, you are also helping your mind to be active and healthy. And the next time you tends to be forgetful or if you heard someone saying that he or she always forget, maybe drinking water can do the trick.

Benefits of Chewing Gum on Dental Hygiene

Now how about a little digression. I stumbled upon this is article by Dr. Chetan and found it worthy of your time. This is like a support to one of my earlier posts, "Can Chewing Gum Improve Memory?". It's about the benefits of chewing gum on dental health. But the paragraph in bold below are what I really want you to grasp. Now Read on.

Chewing gum is the common habit of many people nowadays. According to the latest reports, there are 100,000 tons of chewing gums used per year. Many people use chewing gum as a habit but they don’t know the real benefits of chewing gums. Here we will discuss some of the advantages of chewing gums on teeth health. Latest laboratory reports show positive effects of chewing gum on dental hygiene.

Benefits of chewing gum:

Consuming chewing gums after meals helps in producing saliva and increases its flow in the mouth. The saliva produced neutralizes the acids and thus helps in preventing bad breath and dental decay. Saliva contains minerals like phosphate, calcium and fluoride that help in strengthening the tooth enamel. Teeth are the most vulnerable part which gets affected after every snack and meal. So chewing gum is the suitable medicine to remove the acids.

It helps in relieving pressure in ears by improving jaw movement.

According to the 90 percent of dentists, chewing sugarless gum is good for health after meals. Even though it is difficult to find out sugarless gum but it is not impossible. Wrigley’s orbit gum is found to be the first sugar free gum which is approved by British Dental Association.

Chewing gums also contain sweeteners that help in preventing cavity formation in the mouth. Xylitol is the natural sweetener that can be found in vegetables and fruits. It is like a sugar but does not have any side effects. Xylitol is the natural enemy of plaque that effectively protects the teeth from further decaying from the bacterial activity.

Chewing gum also helps in reducing the body which makes you look smarter. It helps in exercising the facial muscles and gives you a more chiseled look. Chewing gum helps in developing the jaw muscles.

Makes you eat less food: It reduces the hunger pangs and thus make you eat less than before.

Sugar free chewing gums make you less craving for sweet items. Normally a sugar free gum contains less sugar and thus burns more calories.

Helps you to focus and concentrate: You might have seen some people eating chewing gum while doing some important work. This is mainly because it increases the work concentration and makes you feel less bored. It makes you focus on the work and completes the work as soon as possible.

It is reported that if you chew a gum for one hour it will burn 11 calories.

Good for mouth: If you are looking to increase the oral health then you are recommended to eat sugar free chewing gum. It keeps you teeth and tongue clean and gives you a natural look. It cleans the mouth with the help of saliva generated. Mint chewing gums are generally recommended to keep the mouth fresh all the time.

Helps in reducing the stress: When you are under stress have a chewing gum and change the hormonal activities in your body. It reduces the overall nervous tension. So start chewing gum and reduce the tension.

Don't forget to please leave a comment. It matters a lot.

Is Omega 3 Good For Your Brain?

Omega 3 oil is an essential fatty acid that is now being used as a brain booster by many individual aside from the fact that it is a popular supplement to maintain a health heart. Omega 3 oil is derived from fish, walnuts and flaxseed. Some researches say that Omega 3 is good for our brain because it can improve the function of the membranes surrounding the brain cells.


And did you know that Omega 3 can now be found in baby milk formula?  Many experts believe that essential fatty acids are vital for proper brain development in children. So if you want to harvest the benefits of Omega 3, eat more fish such as sardines, mackerel and tuna than any other meat. And because Omega 3 is good for the heart, can boost your brain function and can lessen depression, taking Omega 3 supplement is not a bad idea.

Can Chewing Gum Improve Memory?

Yes! Chewing gum can help to improve memory and enhance cognitive power. But to be more specific, it is not the gum that can actually improve our memory, but the act of continuous chewing or moving of our jaw. And gum of course induce the act of chewing, and can make chewing more fun!

The theory that chewing improves memory has some scientific basis because according to what I read, a group of Japanese researchers learned that the activity in the hippocampus, the area of our brain that is important for memory increases while people chew. And Dr Andre Scholey from the University of Northumbria likewise state that chewing increases heart rate and increased heart rate improves oxygen delivery to the brain which can enhance our cognitive powers.

Now we know the scientific reason why some people become more attentive and feel more alert when they chew gum and why does chewing can take away sleepiness. So the next time you feel slack when studying or feel sleepy inside classroom, chew some gum or move your jaw up and down to revive your cognitive power.

Practical Ways to Boost Your Intelligence

Everybody knows we have to exercise our muscle to be physically fit. However, it is not just our muscles that need exercising. Our brain also needs the same exercise that we ought to give to our body. Using our brain the right way can make us more focused. It boosts our intelligence and thinking capability. But then, how do we exercise our brain? Here are some practical ways to do it:

Watch less TV –This is a real tough one especially for those who love watching shows.  But according to numerous studies all over the world, television would not allow our mind to think or re-charge.  After long hours of television our eyes sore and we feel so drained. An alternative relaxation is to listen to good music. You can also try reading magazines or newspaper instead of watching TV if you feel some boredom.

Do some stretching – Exercising can boost our physical capability. It can clear our head and creates a positive wave of energy. After a good work out, we will feel more energetic and we could concentrate clearly.
Read challenging books – I am a fan of suspense thriller but I just found out recently that these type of books are not good in stimulating our brain. To enhance our thinking capability, it would be better to read classic novel because these are the books that can make you focus. More than that, it could enhance your vocabulary to good English language.

Get enough sleep – My doctor advised me to get at least eight hours sleep every day. But then, there is a catch to that. One should sleep early to make the most of the sleeping benefits. Rejuvenation takes it fullest if we sleep early and avoid sleeping for more than eight hours. In case of sleepiness attack during day time, 10 to 20 minute nap should do the job. Anything in excess can make us sluggish. Remember, complete sleep helps our mind focus.

Free your mind from unnecessary worries – Too much things crowding our mind makes it difficult to concentrate and could make us feel exhausted. Reflection can make us more organize and easily identify our priorities . Any form of solitude is also good for our brain. Ideas are coming out when we are in solitude state.

Some Basic Rules for Effective Writing By George Orwell

George Orwell

The usage of effective language should be our major concern if we want to be heard. However, this is not so in politics. Some would tend to use vague or imprecise language so as not to offend various demographics. Fortunately, this is a condition that is discussed in the essay written by George Orwell in 1946.

According to the essay written by George Orwell, we could clearly communicate our perception and ideas if we will never use a figurative speech or a metaphor like “toe in the line”, “an axe to grind” or”play into the hands of”.  George Orwell, implied that such phrases create no impact so we should formulate fresh, powerful images.

It is also better if we will avoid the use of long words because using long, complicated words may make you sound pretentious and arrogant. More so, it is also less likely to be understood. So, give preference to shorter words.  And if it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out. As per Ezra Pound “Great literature is simply language charged with meaning to the utmost possible degree”. Less is always better.

Likewise, do not use a foreign phrase, a scientific or technical word, or a jargon when they are not necessary. Remember that the goal in writing is to communicate effectively. Leave those technical or foreign words unless they do not have equivalent words in English. Lastly, to make your writing more encouraging to read, use active verbs instead of passive verbs.

How to Speed Read

Speed reading is an acquired ability to read faster than average without losing reading comprehension by changing the way that you read.

Improve Reading by Speed Reading

The secret to speed reading is geting over your reading FEAR. What slows your reading speed is the fear of missing stuff as you go. But nobody ever said you could only read it once! You will increase your reading performance by layering your reading comprehension i.e. reading it once, twice, three times super fast with less overall time.
To improve reading you must get a handle on your FEAR of missing stuff as you speed read. When you feel the FEAR remember - Forgetting Everything is All Right. And You must Forget Everything And Remember more. It's no different from the fearful rush you felt when you first took off your bicycle training wheels or first took a car on the road. The more you do it, the better you get at it, and the less scary it is.
The physiological reading speed reading record so far in the Guinness Book of World Records is 25,000 words per minute with good reading comprehension. Mr. Average reads about 100-200 words per minute. There is no reason you can't aim for 1000 words a minute easy. But you have to practice to improve reading by speed reading just like you did to ride a bicycle or learn to drive a car.

Speed Reading Techniques

The best time honored speed reading technique is the Evelyn Wood speed reading technique by President Kennedy. Evelyn coined the term "speed reading". Her speed reading technique involves pushing your eyes through reading material faster by using your finger, hand or other marker to pull your eyes through the reading material instead of wading through it becoming lost in the details.
Photoreading is the new kid on the speed reading techniques block. The signature style of this technique is using peripheral vision and unconscious perception to blaze through reading books.
The WTF! Speed Reading Strategy is our own hack. More on that later.

Speed Reading Skills

There are three primary speed reading skills that separates speed reading from average slow reading. To successfully become a speed reader you MUST master these speed reading skills.
Speed reading skill 1: force your eyes to move through the written page faster than it feels comfortable. This forces you to bundle packets of words into bigger chunks. Counter intuitively, speed reading actually helps you grasp the gist and concepts faster than traditional reading. Kinda like how it's easier to skim across logs floating in water than slowly tip toeing from one to the other and sinking.
Speed reading skill 2: shut up. Stop trying to hear the words as you read. Lab tests show that when you verbalize words in your mind, you also do it with your vocal cords - it's called subvocalization. If you sound out each word as you read you'll never get past a reading rate faster than you can talk.
Speed reading skill 3: see the action, not the words. The final step in speed reading skill mastery is to see the words on the page in your real eyes but see the action represented in your minds eye. When engrossed speed reading you kinda see the words on the page but are unaware of them, aware only of the mental movie they are creating in your head. Sorta like a directed daydream.

Speed Reading Comprehension

Studies on reading comprehension using speed reading systems universally show a fall in comprehension with increase in reading speed. But these studies are typically conducted right after test subjects complete a speed reading course and read a passage once. In fact, the more often and longer you practice speed reading, the better you get at it. And the better your reading comprehension becomes. Even more powerful, is that if you read some text once really fast, then do it again, your reading comprehension is just as good as slow reading it once but in half the time.

Speed Reading Tools

When reading for pleasure I don't use any reading tools. Just the book and me. And sitting anywhere from a hammock to a bed. My dad used to chill reading in nearby trees!
But for course work, play time is over. Sit upright in a school or office chair. Slouching promotes fatigue. The reading tools I use are a timer, baseball cap, and a pencil. Use the timer reading tool to keep yourself on target. Use the ball cap as a reading tool to limit visual distraction around you. And apply the pencil as a reading tool to carry your eyes down pages rapidly and to quickly jot, circle or underline important stuff as you go.
Keep your reading tools together in one spot on your reading desk for quick access.

OPTIMUM CONDITIONS FOR EFFECTIVE STUDY

We can improve the conditions for learning by being aware of some of the ways the brain works which is exposed in this study tip. Although we do not need to know a great deal about the brain, understanding some basics can help us to make the most of our minds. Some of the optimal conditions for learning are common sense and good for our general health. For example, the brain works well when:

• it is rested - sleep affects our performance
• it is hydrated - drinking water helps the electrical connections of the brain
• it is unstressed - when it is stressed, it can focus only on 'escape', not on such matters as reading journals and writing assignments
• it enjoys itself - it is important to look for any angle that can stimulate our interest in what we are learning. Sometimes this can take imagination if the subject itself seems boring
• it has seen something several times - little and often works better than trying to understand something in one sitting

General tips
Spending long hours studying is not necessarily productive. It is possible to gain better marks by studying more effectively rather than for longer. Most of this resource looks at ways of studying in more effective ways. To study effectively, you can:

• Identify what is really needed
  Study assignment titles carefully. Work out exactly what is required for assignments. This saves time in re-writing assignments later. Time spent in preparation is well spent.
• Work strategically
  Set yourself clear goals and work towards these.
• Make the material meaningful
  Looking for 'the meaning' or how things work, rather than focusing on remembering information. Work with the material, looking at how it fits together and applies to different circumstances. If you develop your understanding of the subject, it will help you to take in future material more easily. This makes reading easier. It also improves your memory for the subject.
• Look for links
  Be active in searching out links between different aspects of the programme. Look also for links between what you are learning and the wider world. This helps to develop understanding and memory.
• Work with others
  Work with other students so that you share ideas and gain mutual support. You may be able to share some research tasks and clarify your lecture notes. Studying with others makes study more interesting, as you gain a different set of perspectives.
• Set yourself SMART-F targets
  Targets should be:
  • strategic : they assist you to achieve your goals
  • measurable: you can tell when you have completed them
  • achievable: you are likely to succeed in meeting them
  • realistic: they fit the circumstances
  • time-bound: you have a set time to meet
  • flexible: you can adapt them if the circumstances change
• Look for short-cuts
  • Look for reasonable short-cuts that do not compromise your studies. For example:
  • avoid unnecessary tasks such as writing notes out neatly
  • use abbreviations in your notes
  • write assignments onto a computer if possible rather than writing them out by hand and then typing them up
  • focus your notes around themes and questions rather than making long notes that you do not really need
• Use the word limit to focus your energies
  Most assignments have a word limit. Use this as a guide to how much you need to read and how many examples you can include. Plan out in advance how you will divide up the words available to you. Often, you need to be very concise about each topic. This means you may not be able to include very much of what you have read if you have undertaken a great deal of reading or made very extensive notes.
• Take care of yourself
  Take rests when you are tired. Study takes longer and the brain is less effective when you are tired or stressed. · Plan your time so that you get breaks. A change of scene stimulates the brain and helps creative thinking

MAKE GOOD USE OF YOUR TIME

"What is the best use of my time, NOW!"

Ask yourself the above often and you will become an extremely effective effective
student.

"Unscheduled time will be lost".
If you do not know in advance what you should be doing at a certain hour, you probably wont do anything useful. So, create a schedule for tomorrows activities.

IMPROVE YOUR STUDY SKILS BY CHANGING YOUR EATING HABITS

There are many studies to show that certain foods affect us in very specific ways. If you’re putting off your homework because you’re feeling tired or you’re having trouble concentrating or remembering, why not try changing your diet?

Eating Habits and Memory

Scientists have discovered sufficient amounts of vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) can greatly improve your memory. It’s found in common foods like bread, milk, pasta, and  as well as liver (try it before saying yuck!) and dark green vegetables.

If a lack of concentration is your problem, try increasing your zinc intake by eating whole grains and sea foods. Bananas are a good source of vitamin B6, which also improves your thinking capabilities.
Why not try adding a banana to your morning routine? You might find a change in your ability to concentrate during that early morning math class.

Eating Habits and Engergy

We all know that iron is important for energy. It is especially important that teen-aged girls watch for symptoms of iron deficiency, such as dizziness when standing, fatigue, and feeling cold when others are not. You can find iron in lean meats, peanut butter, or leafy green vegetables. An iron supplement works wonders, as well.

Sometimes the lack of a certain nutrient leads to irritability. How many times have you found yourself too grumpy or grouchy to concentrate? Have you snapped at your friends for no apparent reason? We’ve all been there.

Believe it or not, this can come from eating too much junk food, which is low in nutrients.
If you’re really serious about improving your grades, try a little eating experiment. First, keep a journal of the foods you eat for a week, without changing your diet. Make notes about your mental alertness and your moods.

The next week, skip over the junk food snacks and the fast foods and try snacking on fresh fruits and vegetables and foods that are made from whole grains. Eat lean meats and sea food when possible.
Keep track of any changes in your ability to concentrate and remember things. If you see a significant improvement, it might be time to make a serious life change!

BASIC STUDY TIPS2

In this section, I want to talk about something you and I, possibly, have neglected when it gets to studying effectively. In as much as there are many factors that influence our study techniques, your posture when you get down to business can make or mar your assimilation.

Without wasting much time, the posture, ergonomically friendly and globally accepted is the set up where you have a desk well above your waist level and a comfortable seat with upright back rest. You can also have a bright reading lamp in case the room is not bright enough (See the previous post for prerequisite steps to study). Sitting uprightly keeps you on your toes.

The reason why some people do not succeed is because they are too lazy to sit up when reading. They lie on a soft bed or sofa while reading and before five minutes is exhausted, they dose off. Such sleep usually lasts for about 45 mins to 2 hrs. I, personally discovered that I usually feel sleepy when reading on my back and in most cases, I fall asleep with the book covering my face or on my chest.

If you have been doing this, try something different. Be determined and disciplined to sit upright when studying. One thing is for sure. You'll find yourself studying longer hours than you can. But note, take intermittent breaks when studying to refresh your mind. At the same time, use such short break wisely. You can just scribble or lean back to remember what you just took in. Goodluck

BASIC STUDY TIPS1

In the quest to be a successful scholar, here are a few fundamental tips that mind come in handy.

Take steps to improve your memory and boost your iq. Instead of playstation, etc, play memory boosting games. Get one online now.

Be a good listener. Quit chatting or gossiping once the instructor is ready to speak.

Avoid unnecessary distractions when studying. Set your mobile to silent. Turn off the radio. Shut out noise of traffic coming through the window (if you have a good cooling system.

As a prerequisite, take about a minute or two to free your mind. You can do this by taking a deep breath and wiping your face with both palms. This will keep you mentally switched.

More tips coming your way soon.

Note: For any of these to work, you must have that determination, hunger and driving force to succeed. It is a waste of time pushing a man, who is unwilling, up ladder. You can take a horse to a stream, but you cannot force water into its mouth.

BAD STUDY HABITS

These are behaviours exhibited when or ere reading which do not yield any successful result of which any student who wants to achieve excellency must avoid. They are:

1. Absent mindedness
2. Lack of concentration
3. Disguise (allowing other thoughts to flow in while also looking into the book)
4. Poor memory
5. Lack of wisdom
6. Forgetfulness
7. Fear
8. Poor or bad position/posture
9. Overconfidence
10. Hatred towards the particular course or its instructor/teacher/lecturer
11. Negative mentality
12. Poor feeding habit

Subscribe to this post and get updates on the disambiguation of each term abovementioned. Succes.