Concentration & Procrastination Student Learning Development P: - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Concentration & Procrastination Student Learning Development P: 896-1407 E: student.learning@tcd.ie W: http://student-learning.tcd.ie :// www.facebook.com/studentlearning

Learning Objectives • Explore reasons for procrastination • Review strategies for overcoming procrastination • Examine causes of distractions • Consider ways to control concentration and improve motivation

PROCRASTINATION Is to delay needlessly something that we believe would be to our benefit !

Some reasons for procrastination • Emotional • Excuses and habit • Physical

How do you procrastinate? • Pleasurable tasks • Socialising • Distractions • Lower Priority tasks • Daydreaming • Other distractions

Procrastination Excuses • “should” be doing something • Uncomfortable, guilt, shame • So create excuses! So ok to put things off! • Justifies procrastination • Self-talk What are your excuses?

Overcoming Procrastination • Take action • Salami technique • Five minutes • Work on related tasks • Do the hardest bits first • Set goals • Reward yourself for achievement • Make commitments

Take a closer look at your own procrastination Think about one problem that might develop [or has already developed for you] and that leads to procrastination. • Describe the problem: • What is the source of the problem: • What is the reason for the problem: • Can you set a goal for a solution [be specific]: • With your goal in mind what Options can you have [be practical in deciding your options]: • What are the advantages of each of your options: • What are the disadvantages of each of your options:

CONCENTRATION Is the act of focusing our attention and abilities

Concentration • Distractions as events which divert us • Sources of Distraction – External – Internal • Control Distractions

Controlling External Distractions • Structure study environment • Establish a routine • Negotiate • Physical – E.g. unplug TV!

Internet use – tools to help selfcontrolapp.com – macs, free macfreedom.com – windows, mac, android; $10 FocusBooster – app, free; 25 minute timer FocusWriter – mac & pc; for writing Anti-social – blocks social websites, like Freedom LeechBlock – Firefox or StayFocusd – Chrome rescuetime – lite is free; tracks time, set goals persistenceapp.com – free, macs

Controlling Internal Distractions • List of concerns • Worry time • Mind wandering/daydreaming • Building up time • Mental rehearsal • More active in the study process

Improving Motivation • Focus on effort • Alter expectations • Positive self-talk • Rewards • Goal setting • Positive language Yes I can • Visualisation

Encourage, not criticise Self-Critical Self-Talk My Motivational Self-Talk I have to get this done. Suck it up I choose to work on this task. I know I can get it and get going loser! done if I just focus on one thing at a time. I must finish this. Come on I will finish this. It is just going to take a bit more stupid…think! time. Let's plan how to get it done. Just focus on getting started. Just because I I can't believe I haven't started haven't started, doesn't mean anything bad yet. I must be so lazy! about me.

Conclusion • Know why you procrastinate • Strategy or plan for overcoming procrastination • Identify your distractions • Strategies for controlling concentration • Strategies for increasing your motivation

Our details • Website: http://student-learning.tcd.ie • Email: student.learning@tcd.ie • Facebook: facebook.com/studentlearning • Twitter: twitter.com/StudentLearnin1 • Phone: 01-8961407