1. Introduction.

Generally one of the keys to succeed in learning especially English is studying. It has been playing an important role in the entire of field. We can pronounce some letters of the alphabets due to we learn them from the dictionary. We also can speak English because of studying from the native speakers how they speak and so on. So based on this fact, everybody can’t deny that if they want to be success in their life they must study whatever they wish to be.  

However it is not as easy as we heard. Studying needs some requirements in order to gain the maximal result. The main requirement of it is concentration. It is impossible if we think we can concentrate on the whole of reading or studying. Occasionally, when the process of studying is going on our mind unfortunately wandering. Even though we have prepared the materials well such as the timetable which are going to present in the class tomorrow, by so doing, it is not enough. We have to know more strategies how to keep our concentration on. In this paper, I briefly would like to share the tips how improve our concentration especially in learning.

2. Concentration.

It is better if we grasp a term of concentration before we break the strategies how to improve our concentration. By understanding it, it will be able to guide a reader or the participants of this discussion where the direction of concentration talking about. According to Diana Percy (1983: 8) that concentration is the ability to control attention. It is not something that people are born with and others are born without. It is not a predestination either. It consists of a habit or many habits which are formed in relation to certain tasks. Every people has a potency to be in a good concentration and the other hand.

We learn easily to concentrate on something attractive or that which initially holds interest for us. On the other hand, we never take care of  “something” that is common in our sense. In addition, we always neglect what is going on around us due to it is not attractive. So we assume it naturally and let it go away. But don’t be worry, anyone can improve his/her ability to concentrate. Inability to concentrate may be due to the fact that  you have never formed useful habits or that  some other problem interfering with your attention to certain tasks.

3.  How to Develop Habits Which Will Aid  Concentration

Diana Percy (1983: 9) gives us tips how to develop habits which will aid our concentration. There are three ways such as develop regular habits of study in certain places, work in place where voice and distraction are at minimum, and study in a chair that is not too relaxing. Furthermore, I would like to elaborate each term in the following:

a. Develop regular habits of study in certain places.  Try to study a subject in the same place and at the same time.  So you’ll develop habits which make it much easier for you to concentrate.  Keep your place of study only for that purpose.  Do recreational reading somewhere else.  So that you insure an attitude of study when you are at you desk or other appointed place of study.  This requires planning. 

b. Work in a place where noise and distractions are at a minimum.  If it’s impossible to find a quiet place, don’t use that as an excuse for not studying.  Experiments show that students can become so well adapted to a noisy environment that it won’t hinder study efficiency, but will require you to exert more energy in order to concentrate.  In adapting yourself to distractions, it is better to disregard rather than to react to any disturbances.  When people fret over annoyances in their study periods their own thoughts are a greater source of distraction than is the actual disturbances.

c. Study in a chair that isn’t too relaxing.  An easy chair is conducive to sleep.

4. Find the Causes  for our Mind Wandering

It is important for us to understand the cause for our mind wandering. As I quote from Diana Percy (1983:9) there are ten causes for it. Those causes are 1) we may find ourselves distracted by little things which interfere with concentration, 2) possibly we have to little or too much confidence regarding the goals we have set for your self, 3) we may have financial difficulties, unsuccessful love affair, feeling of inadequacy, and so on, 4) keep on our desk only those things to study, 5) don’t study in overheated room, 6) set a definite goal or task and complete it, 7) decide the order in which our job will be done, 8) begin working immediately, 9) compete with ourselves, 10) attend to one thing at a time

5. Use The Following Techniques If We Still Can’t   Concentrate.

Change to another subject.  Studying a more interesting course or just the act of making a choice often bolsters concentration.

a. Visualize our instructor and classmates as we study.  Imagine our selves talking or listening in class while the assignment is being discussed.  Thus, we create a personal reason for study which often helps concentration.

b. Read only one paragraph before stopping to restate the main idea or ideas.  Reducing our reading to a single paragraph before restatement will make it easier to state the main idea and we will be more likely to experience a feeling of success.  A feeling of accomplishment will aid concentration.  However, if we can’t read and understand 3 paragraph after several tries. Close our book and relax.  The good student learns when “closing the book” is justified and is not just a superficial excuse for evading study.

c. If we find a particular subject excruciatingly boring or difficult then firstly, find out from our lecture what work is required to pass and concentrate only on that.  Secondly, check out what other subject are available that we are eligible for and change to that subject.  And finally, if it’s a core subject necessary for us to graduate, talk to a counselor or teacher about whether this course is right for us and what options are available.

6. Conclusion.

Concentration is very importance in our life. It can determine whether or not we will be smooth in the entire life. Life is alike chess. If we concentrate on it we will be the winner and on the other hand we will fail. So, in order to be success in our whole business we should give attention more and more. In short, we can’t leave our brain go head itself. We have to use our awareness wherever and whenever we are. (Hammam, M.Pd)

Vocabulary:

Interfere : mengganggu

Wander : mengembara (tdk konsentrasi)

Evading : menhindarkan

Eligible : dapat memilih

Bolsters : mendukung

Excruciatingly : bukan main, luar biasa