MINDFULNESs TRAINING

An essential component of academic success is the ability to concentrate, to focus one's mind on the task at hand, often for long periods of time. Yet many students struggle to pay attention even for short periods, distracted by their phones and other devices, the need for stimulation, and/or changing emotional states. Students can, however, be taught to concentrate. With mindfulness practice, this ability strengthens and becomes habit.

Training in mindfulness is an integral part of our Academic Performance Coaching. Our founder and director Abra Chernik has been practicing meditation since 1991 and teaching meditation and mindful living since 2008. Our mindfulness program teaches clients basic techniques that empower them to become aware of and to control the direction of their own thoughts. Clients learn to place their attention where they want it to be and to keep it there. We also introduce clients to the practice of metacognition ("thinking about thinking"), through which students learn to use their own cognitive processes to actively regulate and improve their academic performance.

Applying mindfulness to academics is a research-based practice with a myriad of positive outcomes, including an increased ability to:

• Concentrate

• Study actively

• Monitor comprehension, identify questions, and evaluate progress

• Identify blocks to learning

• Enact new habits

• Think both analytically and creatively

• Maintain motivation & sustain effort

• Reduce test anxiety

• Cope with the stress of everyday academia

The practice of mindfulness is also applicable outside of the classroom, of course, and helps students bring greater presence and vitality to all of their activities.