Memory & Concentration A Study Skills Series presented by General Studies

3 important memory processes Encoding Storage Retrieval

Types of Memory Sensory Memory Short-Term Memory Long-Term Memory Immediate Memory Working Memory Long-Term Memory

General Memory Strategies Spaced Practice Break Tasks Down Repetition

Specific Memory Strategies Rehearsal Strategies Elaboration Strategies Affective & Motivational Strategies Specific Memory Strategies Comprehension Monitoring Strategies Organizational Strategies

Rehearsal Strategies Repeat the information until it is learned Have to make the repetition of the information meaningful

Elaboration Strategies Involves expanding on the info, forming associations, or connecting the information to what you already know Acronyms/Catchwords NBA, TMI, KIT, TSU Acrostics/Catchphrases Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally Imagery Rhymes & Songs

Organizational Strategies Allow you to organize the information to make it easier to learn and recall Organize material by grouping

Comprehension Monitoring Strategies Allows us to monitor or keep tabs on our learning Help you examine and evaluate the strategies that you are using Metacognition Task awareness Strategy awareness Performance awareness

Affective & Motivational Strategies Relate to your attitude, interest, and motivation toward learning Help prepare you mentally for studying and create a positive learning environment

What is Concentration? Concentration enables a person to FOCUS their attention on what they are doing It is very important in just about everything you do

3 Levels of Concentration: Light Concentration Moderate Concentration Deep Concentration

Light Concentration Is experienced when you first sit down to study and continues throughout the first 5 minutes of study You’re just getting settled into your reading, listening, or studying In this level students may be easily distracted Students may: wiggle around in their chairs, feel the need to pull out other study supplies, etc. Not much is accomplished during this stage Very little learning actually occurs

Moderate Concentration Students enter this level after about 5 minutes of studying Student begins paying attention to material that is being read, heard, or studied Student is not as easily distracted Begin to focus only on the material and external distractions are ignored Some learning occurs in this stage

Deep Concentration You begin thinking only about what you are hearing, writing, or reading You are totally consumed in material You learn the most material while in deep concentration You are able to complete more work in less time and are working most effectively

3 Types of Concentration: Ability to Focus at Will – being able to turn your attention to the task of listening to a lecture the moment the professor begins to speak Sustaining Your Focus – maintaining concentration Limiting Your Focus – Concentrating on one task at a time

Causes of Poor Concentration: Lack of Attention – can be a result of distractions Internal Distractions – things that students worry and think about External Distractions- includes noise, an uncomfortable study area, and people Lack of Interest – Without a high level of interest it is very easy to lose concentration Lack of Motivation – In order to improve concentration, you must be motivated to succeed

Strategies for Improving Concentration 1.Use Motivational and Organizational Strategies: A. Have a positive attitude toward your work B. Create Interest in the Task C. Use Goal-Setting Strategies – set clear goals D. Use Time-Management Strategies – “To Do” lists and planning calendars

Strategies Continued 2. Create a Positive Learning Environment – A. Minimize external distractions as much as possible B. Move to front of classroom during lectures C. At home find a place to study that is distraction-free

Strategies Continued 3. Deal with Internal Distractions 4. Use Active Learning Strategies 5. Match Your Learning Style to the Task – find out what works best for you 6. Monitor Your Concentration

Benefits of Improved Concentration: Ability to make better use of your time Ability to gain a better understanding of what you have read Improved concentration during lecture leads to better lecture notes Increased self-confidence and higher self-esteem Ability to make connections between knew and old material Ability to prepare better for quizzes and exams