Taking frequent breaks is important for recall. If you’ve read my book, Best Grades Ever!, you already know this. Check out this excellent explanation of how taking breaks works to improve long term memory of a topic–with the research–by Dr. David Gilden. © Cody Blair, All Rights Reserved.
Tag Archives: focus
McCafferty on Cramming
“All subjects are the same. I memorize notes for a test, spew it, ace it, then forget it. What makes this scary for the future of our country is that I’m in the tip-top percentile on every standardized test. I’m a model student with a very crappy attitude about learning.” – Megan McCafferty, Sloppy Firsts Cramming isContinue reading “McCafferty on Cramming”
The Secret to Kicking Procrastination: Reward Yourself
This short video, by Dan Ariely–one of my favorite psychologists–gives you some quick and easy tricks for defeating procrastination. You can find loads more good info on defeating procrastination here. Dan Ariely, an Israeli American professor of psychology and behavioral economics, currently teaches at Duke University. He is also the founder of The Center forContinue reading “The Secret to Kicking Procrastination: Reward Yourself”
4 Simple Steps to Beat Procrastination
Motivation done right lets you motor through your to-do list like magic. Try this simple trick from London-based writer, Sidin Vadukut. Pair each chore on your daily to-do list with a short, sweet reward. You are using a to-do list and a calendar to make short work of your academic tasks, aren’t you? Paper worksContinue reading “4 Simple Steps to Beat Procrastination”
College Study Habits Infographic
C.S. Lewis on Focus
If we let ourselves, we shall always be waiting for some distraction or other to end before we can really get down to our work. The only people who achieve much are those who want knowledge so badly that they seek it while the conditions are still unfavorable. Favorable conditions never come. ? C.S. Lewis
5 Motivational Kickers while Studying Online
Guest post by Allie Dillard Online studying has its own challenges and motivation is one of them. Students may get distracted being in a different setting, so they need to put in some extra effort to maintain their focus and attention. Listed below are some tips on how learners can remain centered and motivated.
Focus Your Brain
Get Smarter in Five Minutes
Yeah, I know, I’m promising a lot. Is it really and for true possible to get smarter in five minutes? Heck yes it is. In fact, you can prolly get smarter in less time than that. The trick to getting smarter about any topic from Physics to French to fructivore physiology is to focus yourContinue reading “Get Smarter in Five Minutes”
Einstein Not So Smart
Prime Yourself for Success
What do the words in the following list have in common? reliable rock steady trustworthy Abe true honest Did you figure it out? They are all words that have to do with being reliable or trustworthy. Did you realize, however, that just thinking about these words has primed you (predisposed you) to view things inContinue reading “Prime Yourself for Success”
Get Your Game On
Website habitrpg.com lets you gameify your life. Complete your daily goals, build good habits, and knock out items on your todo list to earn rewards. It’s absolutely astounding how much time we’ll spend playing games like Farmville or killing imaginary zombies in order to earn pixelated coins or an extra centimeter on our experience bar;Continue reading “Get Your Game On”
10 Easy Ways to Kill Procrastination
I recently came across this cool, colorful, hard to read chart titled, “How to Get Motivated: a Guide for Defeating Procrastination” which was adapted from a book called The Procrastination Equation, by the impressively named, Piers Steel, Ph.D. And, being the caring, giving, people-person I am, and because I have a personal vendetta against theContinue reading “10 Easy Ways to Kill Procrastination”
Clothing for Concentration – Changing What You Wear Can Increase Your Focus
The “thinking cap” does not exist. The “thinking coat,” on the other hand… Increase your concentration by–drum roll, please–wearing a white lab coat. No lie. A study done by Adam and Galinsky, 2012, found that wearing a white doctor’s coat actually increased focus as measured by comparative visual search tasks. That’s wy-hy-hy-hyld! They boosted brain power–notContinue reading “Clothing for Concentration – Changing What You Wear Can Increase Your Focus”
Study Skills – Five Fast Fixes
Recently, a student asked me for my hot list of academic life-changers; key study skills you can use to dominate your grades. Here goes… 1) Get help. It’s the 21st Century, fellow netizens! Flying cars, robotic house maids, and personal jet packs are now commonplace… okay, well, maybe not. But it’s still the 21st Century!, whichContinue reading “Study Skills – Five Fast Fixes”
Maintain Focus in 100 Words (or Less)
~~The “100 Words (or Less)” series gives you a super-short summary of what you need to know about the subject at hand and does it in 100 words or less. Check the link at the bottom for more detailed info about the topic.~~ Eliminate Distractions. Hide yourself away from friends and fun. This includes non-essentialContinue reading “Maintain Focus in 100 Words (or Less)”
Study Tips to Increase Focus in Four Fast Steps
Study Tips to Increase Focus and Achieve Your Educational Goals Focus is the big hairy bugbear that stalks many students. Twenty minutes into their two-hour study session they find themselves talking or texting or trimming their toenails or doing absolutely anything rather than studying. So how can you deftly dodge the distraction of friends, phones, Facebook,Continue reading “Study Tips to Increase Focus in Four Fast Steps”
Read and Reap: Suck the Facts Out of Your Texts
Holy-frikkin-mooses. I just read three paragraphs in my Whirled History book, and I don’t have clue one on what it was about. How can I fish the beefy info chunks outta the steamy cesspool of facts that is my reading assignment? If that’s your main pain, then consider this simple drill to make your mindContinue reading “Read and Reap: Suck the Facts Out of Your Texts”
Simple Way to Boost Reading Focus
Anyone who has ever tried to bulldoze their way through a narcolepsy inducing SAT or GRE reading comprehension passage will know just how hard it is to maintain focus when reading. No matter how hard you try to feign interest in scintillating topics like “The History of Corn Prices in 19th Century Dubuque” or “AnContinue reading “Simple Way to Boost Reading Focus”
Focus Booster App
On my study skills video and in my study skills ebook I discuss the importance of taking frequent breaks during study sessions to boost recall and focus. Studying for 30 to 45 minutes and then taking a short 5 to 10 minute break can really boost your brain power. Try this handy FREE online focusContinue reading “Focus Booster App”