Does anyone else have problems staying focused when studying or doing homework?

[Shawn]

This is a real problem for me. I'll try to study but I can't stay focused. Right now for instance I'm supposed to be reading one of the chapters in my book and writing a 5 page paper about it but I just can't stay focused. I pulled the ethernet cord out of the back of my computer so there would be less distractions but I found myself just day dreaming instead. I'll be reading the words in the book but my mind will be elsewhere. I'll look over the whole page and realize that I don't know what the hell I just read.

Does anyone else have this problem? How have you overcome it? I've always had problems studying but it was never a problem because high school was easy. Now that I'm in college I'm going to have to do something about it or I'm going to be in major trouble. Infact I got distracted just posting this...

 

[yankeesfan]

Set goals.

 

[acemcmac]

<raises hand>

 

[Lonyo]

Yeah, I have problems, but I cba to set goals, so instead I just don't do it.

 

[mzkhadir]

Yes I have problems, but instead of setting goals, I am here on atot. But instead of setting goals, I procrastinate.

 

[iwantanewcomputer]

yes...just try to focus on getting the stuff read as fast as you can and take notes

 

[jfall]

I always had that problem. A doctor would probably tell you it's ADD but I think it's just normal. It's most likely that you aren't very interested in the subject you are studying.

 

[anno]

yom might try a change of scenery.. if there's a study room on your floor, see if you can get your reading done there. if ya tell yourself you can't leave til you've done it, or a predetermined chunk of it, that might help you stay focused.

anno

 

[Mo0o]

You can try reading out loud but with a low voice. Try to actively think about what you're reading and reinterpret it in your mind. Ask questions in your mind and see if the author answers them as you're reading

 

[Koing]

Some what use to but not really. For me when it came down to my work to be done I could just sit down and do it. I'd leave it till the last day then just do it. This was in school and as I got to Uni I became more disciplined with myself and I started to do work earlier

Good luck OP :thumbsup:

I just came to realise the sooner I do it the sooner I could be doing other stuff and just made that more of an effort to just DO IT, and to not just f0ck around.

Koing

 

[arcenite]

Originally posted by: jfall
I always had that problem. A doctor would probably tell you it's ADD but I think it's just normal. It's most likely that you aren't very interested in the subject you are studying.

I have problems reading when the subject is boring, but I have no problems reading when it's entertaining...

for example,

I was reading a boring book and was having trouble keeping focused. I caught a few lines of people having sex and killing people and I had no problems remembering what happened during that part, but after that, it got boring again.

 

[Codegen]

My problem is procrastination.

I've had 2 weeks to do a story due on Monday. Wanna guess how far I've gotten on it?

 

[Skunkwourk]

goto the library or somewhere where everyone else is studying and not messing around. I had a hard time studying in my room, too many disctractions but I felt guilty not studying when I saw everyone else hard at work.

 

[Alienwho]

I've also got that problem. I can't help but save my huge projects and papers until the sunday night at 11pm the day before they're due! And the sad thing is I always tell myself i'll do them weeks beforehand.

I didn't have this problem when I wasn't working AND going to school full time. I was able to do my homework the day they assigned it to me in the afternoon before the assignment was able to slip my mind. Now I just put it off until the very last minute because I work during the day and at night i'm either too tired to do homework or i'm out with friends.

 

[kalster]

listening to music worked for me

 

[dude8604]

Originally posted by: Eghck
goto the library or somewhere where everyone else is studying and not messing around. I had a hard time studying in my room, too many disctractions but I felt guilty not studying when I saw everyone else hard at work.

Yeah, I have the same problem you're talking about. Going to the library helps, if I can make myself go there.