how can i concentrate?!?!

[tombman888]

Yay, my first thread.

anyways, i have my half yearly exams coming up in 1 and 1/2 weeks time, and i need tips that will help me concentrate on my studying. also, im a very easily distracted person, i really cant focus on things for too long without getting bored or stop doing it all together, and i am really bad at studying. please share all your ideas with me, as all your help is very much appreciated.

 

[Aur0ra145]

When I was studying for exams in college we'd make a drink called 'Lush in the Dust'

It's made by mixing one bottle of Tobasco sauce with approximately one liter of Vodka.

Pour it into a Martini glass and garnish with a pickled jalepeno. It'll keep you awake and dumb down your "distractions."

CAUTION: Should only be sipped on, not to be drank a whole lot, it's more of a wake up sort of thing, not a drink to get drunk sort of deal.

 

[Beartrucci]

Log the fuck off Facebook, get off The Escapist, turn your computer off altogether if you have to and just study.

 

[Cowabungaa]

I tried to keep all distractions away from me, but everything was a distraction for me at that point. I'd just start making doodles on a random piece of paper, I'd grasp every little thing just so I didn't have to study.

Then I discovered that with music on I could do a lot more work. I'm not sure whether that will work for you too, but I guess it can't hurt to try. Nothing overly pounding and loud though, try to keep it relatively light and mellow. As background music.

 

[Satin6T]

hire someone to punch you in the back of the head when you try to do something other than work and study

 

[Queen Michael]

Invent a cure for ADHD. And send it to me.

 

[iLikeHippos]

Sounds like the same dysfunction I got.
Uhm... Just forget it. You don't want to know.

A tip is to throw away anything distracting you, call for help and get something to chew on. (I personally favor chips, not pens)

 

[Lullabye]

Play games?
It's honestly when I think best.
That or when I'm in the shower.
......
Maybe take a shower?

 

[SpecklePattern]

Do a schedule that you MUST follow. So that way there are some times on a day that you will just study. Be strict on that schedule and make it match your abilities. Don't make it so that you will break the schedule (you must know how much at a time you CAN study/read). Like from 9-11 am strict study and from 4-6 pm strict study. For example. Other time is your free time and you can do what ever you like. It is HUUUUGE benefit if you can study elsewhere than your own room/flat. Library or something like that will do (cellphone and all communication should be disconnected ). That way your scheduled working time will be physically separated from your spare time.

And when you keep on that schedule every day it will be easier to stick with it every day (like example every day reading hours from 9 am to 11 am). It doesn't make things easier if the study hours are different every day.

I had 170% of the required studies in amount when I graduated. (Don't ask why. I'm just interested in lots of things.) That was possible only with that strict study hours that I made for myself.

I actually am lazy as hell and I think I have some sort of ADHD because I can not concentrate to things for that long at a time. I can watch youtube videos for hours but studying is hard. So I made my study hours one hour long per day at a first. When I had one hour of study every day it was clear and that was time I could concentrate. It is still better to make that schedule for your study/reading hours for ONE full concentrated hour a day than do randomly few minutes at a time. And that "other-place-than-home" is the best place to concentrate. No computers, no TV, no distracting friends.

AND if you really do a schedule you can feel actually more free. That way you don't have to stress about the studies ALL THE TIME because you know you have your schedule and because you have made that schedule for your abilities you can safely say that you are doing everything you can. If it doesn't get you good grades you just have to think "could I schedule more than 60 minutes a day for my studies".

It is actually funny that one must study your own way to study, to study.

 

[Gauntes]

Log the fuck off Facebook, get off The Escapist, turn your computer off altogether if you have to and just study.

sound advice

 

[Sampsa]

As nerdy as it might sound try to study with group of friends. That way someone is always "online" reminding other why you're gathered and keep the group doing its job. Studying. With my firends we do it like this:

- 1 to 2 days to read a book and take notes (main ideas, topic sentences, keywords) and cheking what feels difficult and what you don't understand at all.

- 3rd day we get to gether and begin to go the book from the begining while looking at the notes and checklist. Just in a small group there's bound to be one person who knows the answer to you questions. Also teaching others hepls also you to learn. Remeber to keep few days for rest only so yoyur brains can take a break. Continuous studying will only lead to burn out and dropped cognitive performance.

As long as the whole group doesn't get distracted I've found this to be very efficient strategy for stydying. And of course when the job is done it's only short way to the pub nearby...

 

[SpecklePattern]

As nerdy as it might sound try to study with group of friends. That way someone is always "online" reminding other why you're gathered and keep the group doing its job. Studying. With my firends we do it like this:

- 1 to 2 days to read a book and take notes (main ideas, topic sentences, keywords) and cheking what feels difficult and what you don't understand at all.

- 3rd day we get to gether and begin to go the book from the begining while looking at the notes and checklist. Just in a small group there's bound to be one person who knows the answer to you questions. Also teaching others hepls also you to learn. Remeber to keep few days for rest only so yoyur brains can take a break. Continuous studying will only lead to burn out and dropped cognitive performance.

As long as the whole group doesn't get distracted I've found this to be very efficient strategy for stydying. And of course when the job is done it's only short way to the pub nearby...

That actually might be good for people that are more social. I can't study things like this. I don't know why. Perhaps I like my own speed in which I handle the things.

But agreed on that "don't study too much". Know yourself you must yyyyeeeeesss -Yoda xD

And that teaching part I can also agree on. I think that ability to teach is on the level that you must think also the other peoples perspectives and know what the "pupil" is thinking when he/she asks a question on the matter at hand. That is good way to deeper understanding. If you can study in groups.

 

[Xaryn Mar]

The recommended method is something like this (might vary a bit for different persons):

Study no more than 2 hours at a time then have 30 minutes break where you do something very different from studying. Then repeat.

Do not study while tired and try not to study more than 8 hours a day if at all possible (i.e. You might have to start before the semester is over).

 

[Kud]

Log the fuck off Facebook, get off The Escapist, turn your computer off altogether if you have to and just study.

This guy is right, making a thread about your problems is just procrastination.

Just disconnect your internet, it's the easiest way.

 

[tombman888]

Do a schedule that you MUST follow. So that way there are some times on a day that you will just study. Be strict on that schedule and make it match your abilities. Don't make it so that you will break the schedule (you must know how much at a time you CAN study/read). Like from 9-11 am strict study and from 4-6 pm strict study. For example. Other time is your free time and you can do what ever you like. It is HUUUUGE benefit if you can study elsewhere than your own room/flat. Library or something like that will do (cellphone and all communication should be disconnected ). That way your scheduled working time will be physically separated from your spare time.

And when you keep on that schedule every day it will be easier to stick with it every day (like example every day reading hours from 9 am to 11 am). It doesn't make things easier if the study hours are different every day.

I had 170% of the required studies in amount when I graduated. (Don't ask why. I'm just interested in lots of things.) That was possible only with that strict study hours that I made for myself.

I actually am lazy as hell and I think I have some sort of ADHD because I can not concentrate to things for that long at a time. I can watch youtube videos for hours but studying is hard. So I made my study hours one hour long per day at a first. When I had one hour of study every day it was clear and that was time I could concentrate. It is still better to make that schedule for your study/reading hours for ONE full concentrated hour a day than do randomly few minutes at a time. And that "other-place-than-home" is the best place to concentrate. No computers, no TV, no distracting friends.

AND if you really do a schedule you can feel actually more free. That way you don't have to stress about the studies ALL THE TIME because you know you have your schedule and because you have made that schedule for your abilities you can safely say that you are doing everything you can. If it doesn't get you good grades you just have to think "could I schedule more than 60 minutes a day for my studies".

It is actually funny that one must study your own way to study, to study.

thank you, this is actually a good idea for someone like me, i will get on it right now, and thank you everyone else who posted

 

[Simalacrum]

Aw man, I have exactly the same problem...

Try and put yourself in a working environment - library, school classroom, such places work well... your own room might not work as well.

Take time to prepare - a cup of tea and a banana (brain food!) before starting can go a long way to help.

Do your work with a friend/classmate. Having another person working hard close to you can help you focus too.

Don't overwork yourself - if you simply put yourself under a "I have to do more work!" type of pressure, then chances are you'll get nothing done. Have a basic plan which consists not just of "work work work", but also includes breaks and exercise (like a walk around the park or something).

 

[zombiesinc]

Do a schedule that you MUST follow. So that way there are some times on a day that you will just study. Be strict on that schedule and make it match your abilities. Don't make it so that you will break the schedule (you must know how much at a time you CAN study/read). Like from 9-11 am strict study and from 4-6 pm strict study. For example. Other time is your free time and you can do what ever you like. It is HUUUUGE benefit if you can study elsewhere than your own room/flat. Library or something like that will do (cellphone and all communication should be disconnected ). That way your scheduled working time will be physically separated from your spare time.

And when you keep on that schedule every day it will be easier to stick with it every day (like example every day reading hours from 9 am to 11 am). It doesn't make things easier if the study hours are different every day.

I had 170% of the required studies in amount when I graduated. (Don't ask why. I'm just interested in lots of things.) That was possible only with that strict study hours that I made for myself.

I actually am lazy as hell and I think I have some sort of ADHD because I can not concentrate to things for that long at a time. I can watch youtube videos for hours but studying is hard. So I made my study hours one hour long per day at a first. When I had one hour of study every day it was clear and that was time I could concentrate. It is still better to make that schedule for your study/reading hours for ONE full concentrated hour a day than do randomly few minutes at a time. And that "other-place-than-home" is the best place to concentrate. No computers, no TV, no distracting friends.

AND if you really do a schedule you can feel actually more free. That way you don't have to stress about the studies ALL THE TIME because you know you have your schedule and because you have made that schedule for your abilities you can safely say that you are doing everything you can. If it doesn't get you good grades you just have to think "could I schedule more than 60 minutes a day for my studies".

It is actually funny that one must study your own way to study, to study.

This is the best way to get your studying done.

Ultimately, you're only letting yourself get distracted because you're not being strict enough and simply doing what needs to be done. Very few people enjoy doing homework, and if you're not enjoying it, you'll find ways to distract yourself or justify not doing it, and before you know it you'll be sitting in front of your exam thinking "Oh shit, I should've studied..."

As said above, the best thing to do is get into a daily routine, with specific times (that best suit your lifestyle and habits) and stick with it. When you find yourself getting bored, frustrated or distracted, remind yourself why you're doing it. Even if you simply repeat it to yourself over and over.

You know yourself best, so deciding when and for how long you're going to study is the only way to go. You'll know how long you're capable of sitting down and studying, to ensure that you don't overwork yourself, or get bored halfway through and stop. Once you become accustomed to studying for x amount of time at the same time (or roughly) every one or two days, you'll find it progressively easier to continue doing it. And more importantly, don't procrastinate! Really, just don't. It's just another way to avoid doing what you don't want to do, but that doesn't change the fact that it's something you need to do (or at the very least, really, really should do).

If you still find you're lacking in the motivation department, possibly finding something to 'reward' yourself with after completing your study session every day will help, whether it's video games, TV or posting on Escapist.

Good luck!

 

[SpecklePattern]

Do a schedule that you MUST follow. ...

thank you, this is actually a good idea for someone like me, i will get on it right now, and thank you everyone else who posted

You are most welcome. Let me know how it works for you. (Studies and studying)

Aw man, I have exactly the same problem...

Try and put yourself in a working environment - library, school classroom, such places work well... your own room might not work as well.

Take time to prepare - a cup of tea and a banana (brain food!) before starting can go a long way to help. ...

Oh yeah! That is also important. I didn't remember that one. The preparation mentally for your study time, but also the physical preparations. Empty stomach will not usually work. And I have found that candy and sweets in general, that people usually take as "energy" along the day, really are not that good. I don't know. It might work for someone but if I eat like an chocolate bar before I try to study I get really unfocused (perhaps from the energy spike).

 

[LongAndShort]

Relax. If you haven't learned this shit yet you aren't in a week. I don't care what anybody says, cramming doesn't teach you anything, the most it does is remind you.

But if you really want help, shorten your study periods. Half an hour on, fifteen minutes off or something. Set up a really annoying alarm so it forces you to keep to the schedule.

Most importantly don't stress. I was paintballing with my cousins two days before my HSC and I kicked the arses of people doing eight hour study days because I didn't stress.

Good luck mate, and relax.

 

[Sampsa]

That actually might be good for people that are more social. I can't study things like this. I don't know why. Perhaps I like my own speed in which I handle the things.

But agreed on that "don't study too much". Know yourself you must yyyyeeeeesss -Yoda xD

Then I'd recommend doing mind maps. They can organize the most messiest bunch of separate things into a clear hiearchy. Besides effort you'll have to put on one good mind map also forces you to learn.

But as the Sun Zu said: "If you know youself and your enemy, you don't have to be afraid of the outcome of a hundred battles." This enemy is, of course, the tests yoy're about to take. You know what are you're good at and where you could do better. Most likely you also have somekind of hunch of what is going to asked.