Concentration and retention Nine Out of Ten Agree

Ask any ten people what they consider to be their biggest problem in reading and nine out of the ten will answer: concentration. This apparent inability to concentrate is universal and widespread. The second biggest problem, you'll discover, is remembering. Most readers complain that they can't remember what they've read five minutes after they've read it. In a sense they liken themselves to the patient who complained to his psychiatrist, "I have a terrible problem, doctor; I just can't remember a thing. It's awful." The doctor's comment was, "That's really too bad. How long have you had this problem?" To which the patient replied, "What problem?" Although we joke about it, these two skills, concentrating and remembering, are lacking among students and adults alike. And, although we speak of two problems, they are really just opposite sides of the same coin, as we'll see later. For the time being let's consider each separately.

Exclusive Attention

By concentration we mean the ability to give close mental application or exclusive attention to the subject at hand. The most important word in this definition is exclusive - to the exclusion of all other things. This is what gives most of us trouble: avoiding other matters, thoughts, and noises.

Can we improve the skill or develop the habit of effective concentration? Yes, psychologists tell us; there are certain things we can do to improve our powers of concentration. Interestingly enough, one thing we can do is to avoid thinking about concentrating. Consciously trying to concentrate is itself distracting; it prevents us from concentrating. Here are some things we should do:

1. Motivate Yourself: If we are to concentrate, we must develop some interest in the subject. However artificial, we must set for ourselves some goal or aim, immediate or remote, which can direct our attention to the matter. Very often, our purpose will be definite and concrete - we need to master this subject for a special reason here and now - such as studying the driver's manual in order to earn one's license, or learning enough to pass tomorrow's quiz. Sometimes, we must relate our activity to some larger purpose: learning this will help me get into college, or this knowledge can help me on the job and improve my chances for advancement. Even a short-lived, long-range purpose can motivate us sufficiently to begin reading and to learn something about the subject. This may be just enough, because a little on the subject results in increased interest in the subject. In other words, the more we know about something, the more interesting it becomes.

This same little knowledge also helps to dispel notions we may have about not being able to learn a certain subject.

2. Assume the Study Pose: We'll certainly daydream and become distracted if we lounge in a chair next to a radio or T.V. This is like the man who says, "The only thing I can't resist is temptation." Our physical attitude must match our mental one; for effective concentration, we must adopt the pose of concentrating.

Sitting upright at a desk or table in quiet, well-lighted surroundings induces a slight physical tension - enough to help us attend and concentrate. Just as a sprinter stations himself at the starting line, we've got to brace ourselves for this one activity, concentrating. Try it; it works.

3. Time Yourself: Another technique we can use to aid concentration is timing . Timing isn't the whole reason, of course, but it is certainly an influencing factor. Timing is a motivating element in many of our daily activities, as well. Fear of being late can substantially increase the efficiency with which we rise and prepare to leave the house in the morning. Timing creates the interest and suspense in athletic contests; for years, the four- minute mile was a goal which pushed runners to the limit of their ability. The "race for space" shows on a national scale the accomplishments which can be precipitated when time is a factor.

Time can bring out the best in us, too. Setting a time limit for learning a subject or completing an assignment or reading an article can bring about the sustained concentration we need.

4. Spread the Learning: It is frequently advisable, if what we intend to cover is long and involved, to pace our learning over a number of short periods. By doing this, we can employ peak concentration each time; in effect, shortening overall learning time.

Leaving a subject uncompleted is in itself conducive to concentration, making our return to it easier and more successful. In terms of what is learned and retained, there are advantages to this method. We tend to learn more thoroughly because the subject has not been closed out in our minds; we know that it is "to be continued" later. When we do return to the subject, the carry over of knowledge is greater each time - this is a great aid to retention and recall.

5. Organize the Material: Through previewing and relating mentally divide the subject into logical sections. Considering a subject in terms of its major components helps us to see facts and details in their proper perspective, as we read along. The improved comprehension resulting from this organized approach also contributes to increased concentration.