Tips for effective studying by Pastor Mike Ndlovu

 The reason why I post you these tips is because i noticed that many students are battling to win over this area. Your gadget, be it a cellphone, laptop or ipod, is definitely the greatest distraction at the moment for you to pass your exams.  Very strict discipline is needed at this time. I personally feel that many students who have been struggling in a certain subject or course, is, as part of the overall problem, because of Concentration Killers.

 You have to choose what is important for you at this time and how you going to use your time (until you finish with the exams) - you have to behave like a student. Personally i hate being with a person and he is busy chatting on his phone, sending and responding to messages, especially the chat rooms.  I consider that rude and unprofessional. It shows how addicted he is and you can imagine how battling he is when he is alone/studying. There is only one way you can win this time - CHANGE YOUR HABIT!

The gist of the matter

 Today's world is full of concentration killers. Psychologist Lucy Jo Palladino, PhD offers a few tips to manage distractions, starting with social media (facebook, Twitters & chat rooms/mobile chat). It's easy to connect with friends -- and disconnect from work (studies) -- many times, for hours. Every status update zaps your train of thought, forcing you to backtrack when you resume your work.

 Social Media Fix: Avoid logging in to social media sites while you're studying/working. If you feel compelled to check in every now and then, do it at any other time, definitely not during study time, when the steady stream of posts won't interrupt your concentration, before or after studying or finishing your project. If you can't resist logging in more frequently, go someplace where you won't have Internet access for a few hours.

 Another Culprit: Email/message Overload - There's something about an email -- it shoots into your inbox and itches to be answered immediately. Although many emails may be work-related or important, they still count as distractions from studying/your current project. You won't make much progress if you constantly stop what you're doing to reply to every message and the result will show at the end of the exam period.

 Email Overload Fix: Instead of checking email continuously, set aside specific times for that purpose. During the rest of the day, you can actually shut down your email program. This allows you to carve out blocks of time when you can work uninterrupted.

 Another Culprit: Your Cell Phone - Perhaps even more disruptive than the ping of an email is the ringtone on your cell phone. It's a sound few of us can ignore. But taking a call not only costs you the time you spend talking, it can also cut off your momentum on the task at hand and affect your concentration levels thereafter.

 Cell phone fix: Put caller ID to good use. If you suspect the call is not urgent, let it go to voicemail. If you're working on a particularly intense project, consider silencing/switching off your phone so you're not tempted to answer. Choose specific times to check voicemail. Listening to all your messages at once can be less disruptive than taking every call as it comes in.

 I wish all students, full-time, part-time or distance learning, the best exam period ever - please don't miss your church services, prayer meetings and family times. They help a lot in refreshing your mind and spirit - stay on top all the time!

 Reference/Acknowledgments: MedicineNet.com, “We bring doctor’s knowledge to you”Top of Form