LET THERE BE ‘FOCUS’ LET THERE BE ‘LIGHT’
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It is that time of the year again when the examination fever is hitting high. Everyone is responsive in their own unique ways. Some handle it with ease while others find it somewhat stressful.
‘Focus ‘ is a very vast topic in psychology because it is an essential part of our lives. We all struggle with this aspect at various stages. Be it work, studies, or even daily affairs. We do find our focus shifting many a time. It can be due to various reasons but is primarily because of our lacking ability to do so. In order to be able to strike a balance.
Cognitive psychologists, sometimes called brain scientists, study how the human brain works — how we think, remember, and learn. They apply psychological science to understand how we perceive events and make decisions. Our inert potential to respond to situations often defines our core equilibrium.
We are keen on knowing from the psychological bent as well, how can students retain the desired focus at a time when their examinations are the topmost priority.
We will not get into the syllabus-wise understanding of the course of your preparation. But we will discuss at length the psychological impact of the point in question.
It might be intriguing and bewildering to know that ongoing distractions have a straight impact on your IQ levels. And this can be processed in a very simple manner, and I’m sure many of you will be able to understand this point too. Isnt it evident that if there is a lag in your focus, you are actually hampering your intelligence levels!!?? Yes, for sure.
While studying you have to ensure that your mental energy is at its best. Most of you must be aware of the Circadian Rhythms. For those of you who have not, let me give you a brief on what this really is and how it can enhance your grasping abilities. Circadian rhythms are physical, mental, and behavioral changes that follow a 24-hour cycle. These natural processes respond primarily to light and dark and affect most living things, including animals, plants, and microbes. One example of a light-related circadian rhythm is sleeping at night and being awake during the day. The Average Teen Circadian Cycle image shows the circadian rhythm cycle of a typical teen.
To optimize long-term memory, information must be processed bit by bit in a given amount of time, and not crammed all at once. This cramming phenomenon eventually leads to a mixture of all the thoughts, and the end result could be quite embarrassing.
Taking short breaks revitalizes and keeps you refreshed at all times. The brain stays hydrated and therefore aids in the processing and retaining of information. This retention further helps in heightened attentiveness. But this certainly does not mean that you take breaks every now and then. Because if you do then you are in for a big surprise, and it will not be a pleasant one!!
According to research many frequently used study techniques – such as memorizing flashcards, or spending hours at a time focusing on a particular subject – don’t actually encourage long-term learning. In addition to this those habits that you’ve always suspected may be bad, such as last-minute cramming, maybe even worse than you thought.
To improve your concentration and get the most out of your study hours, follow these six strategies, all backed by real psychological research.
1. Ditch the Distractions
To get the most out of your study hours and IQ, be sure to unplug and keep distractions at a minimum. Social media can lead to sheer havoc not only during your study hours but in your everyday life as well! So keep a safe distance at least when it’s examination time.
2. Pick a Good Time
Our bodies run on a 24-hour circadian cycle where many changes occur. Research shows that these changes have a direct influence on our cognitive functioning, such as decision-making and memory. Everybody has an optimal time of the day when they get their best work done. During this time focus on your most challenging tasks as this is when you generally feel most alert and productive. For the majority, this optimal time is in the morning.
3. Quench Your Thirst
A study found that mild dehydration (so slight that you don’t really feel it) can lead to a lack of concentration. “When the brain detects even the smallest changes in physiology, it may begin operating at a suboptimal level to get your attention,” psychologists say. “Thirst is not the best measure of hydration, so a decrease in your ability to focus is an early warning signal that it’s time to drink up.”
4. Forget Cramming
It is no surprise that research shows that cramming is not the most optimal way to study. By reading and reviewing information every week we learn a lot more than by cramming the night before an exam. Processing information bits at a time, rather than all at once, enhances our long-term memory. This is further aided by the fact that repeatedly viewing the same information encourages “relearning”, which helps move information into long-term memory storage. When it comes to studying slow and steady definitely wins the race.
5. Find Meaning
Many consider memorizing flashcards to be a sure shot to getting an A, but this is not actually true. In psychology, there are different levels of processing material. Shallow processing would be memorizing something while deep processing is about making a connection with the material thus making it meaningful to you. When you memorize you are using shallow processing, which is not very effective when trying to remember info.
6. Take a Break
Studies have suggested that taking a scheduled study break can actually assist with minimizing distraction and maximizing studying. It is proposed that deactivating and reactivating your goals allows you to stay focused.
ALL THE VERY BEST!
