If you are a student who is trying to get better grades, there are a number of methods that can help you to heighten your capacity to focus your attention, memorize the information that you study, and bring it back to consciousness during an examination without being subjected to mental blocks or test anxiety. These are the basics of how to create good learning behaviors:

(1) Create an environment for learning and study only in that place! Establish a quiet place that will facilitate a focusing of attention without distractions. Some potential examples would be a library, a vacant classroom, or your bedroom. You will want to generate the behavior of studying when you are in this place. So it is best to not use this place for other activities like daydreaming, conversations, or playing music, etc.

MAKE SURE THAT YOUR STUDY PLACE HAS:

(a) A comfortable seat, but not excessively comfy

(b) Your writing desk or table

(c) Good illumination

(d) Ventilation

MAKE SURE THAT YOUR STUDY PLACE DOES NOT HAVE:

(a) Distractions

(b) A telephone

(c) Music that will distract you

(d) A big screen TV set

(e) A companion who talks too much

(f) A refrigerator filled with distractions

(2) Divide your work into tiny, short-range projects.

(a) Set up small precise projects like, "I'm going to study my biology from 2 PM to 3 PM. Otherwise you will only set yourself up to fall short.

(b) Set a doable homework goal for the amount of time you've set aside. For example: finish reading chapter ten in my chemistry text, or complete an initial draft of my biology paper, etc. Set your goal at the specific time that you are ready to sit down and study, just before you begin. Set reachable goals. You may possibly do more than reach your goal, but set a reasonable goal even if it seems too easy.

(3) Test Phobias

(a) Some students mostly experience physical symptoms, like faintness, nausea, or feeling hot or cold, etc.

(b) Other students experience mostly emotional symptoms, like feeling irritable, crying, or getting frustrated quickly.

(c) The main dilemma with anxiety is that it can make you have a memory block. Or it could make one have thoughts that are racing out of control.

(d) Although you may feel some level of anxiety while taking an exam, you can learn to diminish that anxiety, or even completely eliminate it!

(e) Feelings of anxiety and the resultant stress are usually the main causes of a lack of the ability to focus your attention. Stress can also cause a mental block when you try to remember information.

(f) Hypnosis CD's can be utilized to relax your mind and focus your concentration. As your mind calms down, your ability to stay focused will increase. Similarly, a calm mind enhances your ability to retain information, and recall it when it is needed.

(g) Hypnosis CD's can be used to program your mind for the positive expectation of peace and the ability to bring back to mind the information during an examination. This is valuable for diminishing or getting rid of test anxiety. (h) There are a number of hypnotherapy techniques that can quickly get rid of a test phobia!