HELP!!!...Need advice on concentrating and studying better

[FrugalGuy]

I've noticed in the last couple of years, that I've been having a hard time concentrating. It's hard for me to sit still and study for my classes or anything that involves studying/reading. My mind is constantly drifting. It has affected my grades and it takes me forever to study something.

My friend said listening to music (like classic music) can stimulate certain waves in the brain will help. I'm willing to try it, but does anybody else have anything else in mind. Are there are any self help books? I was just curious how most of you focus and concentrate.

 

[Kadarin]

Could also be from a number of external factors.. For example, is there a particular time of day that you're trying to study? Try a different time. Are you hungry? What color is the room you're in, and what kind of lighting do you have? Any issues which could be distracting you? (i.e. g/f, etc) Have you been eating well-balanced meals and getting some excercise?

Then again, it could be just that the left side of your brain has gone into shutdown mode...

 

[PrinceofWands]

<< Are there any self help books? >>



Well sure there are, but since you can't sit still to read/study they won't do you a heck of a lot of good, now will they?

 

[tcsenter]

Well, maybe you are approaching burn-out? I don't know your situation, but maybe its time to take a break for a semester or take a light class load for a semester, do something different, clear your mind. All worky and no play can do that. It happened to me when I was working part time and taking 20+ semester hours.

Don't try to "cram" for hours on end. Study/read for 30 - 45 minutes, take a 15 minute break, then hit the books again. If you are going to listen to music, there are studies that have shown raspy or "edgy" type music (rap, rock, metal, pop, etc.) can be distracting while easy listening and classical can actually ENHANCE your studying potential. This is of course just the 'average' result. Some people may be more distracted by easy listening or classical than no music at all.

Just a few things to consider.

 

[Vincent]

Music is supposed to help you concentrate better because it occupies part of your mind that might otherwise be wandering while you're trying to study.

 

[Czar]

<< I've noticed in the last couple of years, that I've been having a hard time concentrating. It's hard for me to sit still and study for my classes or anything that involves studying/reading. My mind is constantly drifting. It has affected my grades and it takes me forever to study something.

My friend said listening to music (like classic music) can stimulate certain waves in the brain will help. I'm willing to try it, but does anybody else have anything else in mind. Are there are any self help books? I was just curious how most of you focus and concentrate. >>


I have exactly the same problem, it gets very ANOYING after a few years, but what I'v found out that yes music, preferably with headphones work well and those little earplugs when you are tired of music.

What happens is that the envoiroment that you are in is distracting you and cutting of the hearing part helps. Also, if you know of any place that you have noticed that you studdy better than at home then be as much as you can there

 

[RJHNY1]

Don't study for hours at a time. Say if you have a test a week. Start studying now and do 2 hours a day. Or even 1 hour a day and other days 2 hours. Also, if you have a lot of work, do 2 hours on 1 thing, take a break (15-45 min break) and then work on something else.