I'm trying to get my head into my college work but keep getting distracted and wondered if anyone had any good tips on staying focused and motivated to do your work?
214827
ok, take this from me because u no how hard i worked last year to complete my degree and 2 other qualifications!wen u lost motivation then think long term of what u are actually doing ur work for!u and me are always talkn about long term careers and what great career women we will be wen we get all r hard studying out of the way and we will get that wen we get motivated and successfully complete the work!have faith in urself that u can do it, cus u no u can and be positive that u are actually guna make sumat out of urself!also u have a very understanding friend in me, so wen u r less motivated than usual, call me and wel go for a short drive or sumat, cus short breaks help aswell!also i aint being funny, but wen u come on the comp2 do ur work, dont come on yahoo answers or msn cus there are distractionz for u that u dont need!before u sit down2 study do sumat that u enjoy first like viby(ha), watchn a bit of tv or cum for a drive wit me(2scream sum kick ass songs) and then disipline urself2work!cus at the end of the day, its all about a combination of positive motivation, disipline and pure dedicated ambition- which is what u most definately have! hope this helps! XX
480850
sometimes we don't feel motivated but later we regret it. forget about motivation. read the text and underline only the important things. then read it again but just the underlined bits. don't underline 2 much. then close the book and do something else for 10-15 min. read the underlined again. try to review in your head the whole thing. reconstruct the whole matter in your head. you can also speak it out loud if you wish. look for more information on the same subject or on parts of it which are not completely clear on the net or elsewhere. read the underlined again.
598333
i have the same problem. Here's what I think. DON'T do what I do. Whenever I get schoolwork that has to be done by a certain time I wait til the last minute and then do it. Usually I fail or don't do it then and come up with some excuse [then fail.] So here's what I've been doing:\n-start by finding a place where you aren't distracted [NOT in front of the TV. doesn't work too good.]\n-then if that fails try and focus. And tell yourself what will happen if you don't finish it in time.\n-if all that fails... sit on the roof. [that's what I do. No distractions, no1 bugs u, and u can concentrate. [if you're in a condo or an apartment or u can't get to the roof... I got nothing.]\nTry it. Good luck
114600
I have found the most effective antidote to procrastination is to have a person or a team to whom you are directly accountable. This is very common in a professional setting and naturally very effective. In an academic setting, it is easy to find ourselves alone where no one else has anything to lose by our procrastination. When this has presented itself as a problem for me, I have enlisted the help of a friend who was willing to be my 'boss' by insisting that I check in regularly with a schedule and reports of my progress. In my case, I could do the same thing for her with something she was having a tough time finding the self-motivation for. \n\nEach of us are then forced to prioritize a list of what needs doing and come up with our own due dates. Even though we each play the role of 'boss' to one another, we are really building a very healthy habit of getting our work done earlier.\n\nThe danger, of course, is if both of us hit a wall at the same time. It is very important that there is a mechanism which requires regular contact. So, perhaps in addition to a daily email or phone call (which can easily be put off) make a point to have a weekly or bi-weekly lunch meeting say. \n\nIt is amazing how much of your capability you can unlock when you yeild the discomfort of admitting how far behind you are. It is just too easy to tell our friends that all is well. Try asking for help, chances are your friend could use a hand too.
446921
It doesn't seem like your getting a lot of work done.\n\nWhy the hell are you on Yahoo Answers if your planning on "getting a lot of work done?"\n\nand plus, i wouldn't skip class. you never know why you might miss...
364768
I'm studying OU at the moment and have just started my second course. Inevitably I used to leave everything to the last minute on the first course when it came to assignments, but I used to set aside specific times when I knew I wouldnt' be disturbed to study and have everything to hand - cup of tea, bottle of water etc so I wouldnt' have to get up again once I started. Cramming has always worked for me, keeping all your work in one place so you can lay your hands on it at any time, but most important of all, remember why you are studying this in the first place.\nA little bit of panic is good because it makes you focus and get it done. Unfortunately there are no shortcuts - you do the work and you'll get your degree. Get a copy of The Good Study Guide by Andy Northedge - that has some good advice in it. \nGood luck!
232569
Are you sure you're in the right major?  That's generally the number one problem I see in students that are having trouble motivating themselves to study - they're just not interested enough in the material.  If you're still a freshman or a sophomore and struggling with your lib ed requirements, that's understandable - but, if you're also having trouble studying for the classes in your major, then you may want to reassess.  I was in the same boat as you about 5 years ago.  Every time I tried to sit down and study, this wave of lethargy would sweep over me, making me very tired.  I've never napped so much as I did those first couple years of college.  I finally realized that I had less than no interest in the classes I was supposed to be really interested in, and took some time off to figure things out.  I'm not saying you necessarily need to stop going to school, but if your classes aren't exciting you, perhaps you should go talk to one of the academic advisors for undecided students.  They're trained to help you figure out what you're really interested in.  Good luck!
24852
Keeping a regular time everyday for studying is a good idea. In that time keep a specific time period for a subject you need to improve in. Practice questions of that subject everyday and read up lesson everyday. Keep a timetable so that in week aside from homework you can study the subjects. For exmaple, keep a day for studying biology, another day for geography etc. It will help you. \nAlso I would recommend a meditation, it helps improve concentration. Sit straight and comfortably, focus your breathing, breathe deep hear the sound of your breath. Do this for 5 to 10 mins. It'll help. Good luck!
311830
I just took a class on good study habits (yeah, they have those in college) and one thing they talked about that really worked for me was to study in the classroom where you have class.  Preferably when there isn't class going on.\n\nYou can talk to your teacher about this possibility, as many schools don't have an open-door policy (some do).  What this does is it helps you get into the "study" mindset, since that is where you do your learning anyway.  It works great for when you're trying to remember things too.\n\nSomething else you might want to try comes from a study method instead of a study location.  I have the same problem of letting my mind wander when I'm studying, so this is something worth trying too:\n\nWhen you're studying and taking notes and stuff, don't write anything in the right margin except for thoughts that come to you while you're studying.  It doesn't have to have anything to do with what you're studying at the time, it's just a way to get distracting thoughts out of your head and onto paper.  This will help you keep on task better.\n\nStudy partners are invaluable too, especially if you're studying the same thing.  The other person don't have to be studying, like you said, but I know that I am much more focused when my wife is in the room than otherwise.\n\nGood luck!
496959
If you are good at multitasking, it helps keeps you motivated to switch to something else when you get bored with whatever you're doing.  Also, if you have taken good notes, use them to study instead of reading the book.  It's easier, quicker and saves a lot of time.
423796
Maybe you're one of those people who do better studying in a group?\n\nBEWARE of who you choose to study with though. If you're in a bunch of people who also can't focus / study and want to play, this will be counter-productive. Choose someone / people who is/are focussed and can sit down for a while and are serious in studying/doing well. Make sure you also take some breaks. Apparently a good formula is studying 50 minutes, rest 10 minutes but I never stuck to that so you just have to find what suits you. Try to eat well while studying - have proper meals but not too much as you'll feel tired if you're too full. Also make sure you have proper/enough sleep.\n\nHope this helps.
333419
What works for me in college, I type up some notes (definitions or what you HAVE to know for tests) and study 5 at a time. Each time you get 5 down, go back to the beginning and study everything you have learned. Have someone ask you questions after you've studied.  This helps a lot. Good luck to you.
357414
hmmm...depends on what will work for you...try relaxing or motivating yourself before you sit down. think of what you can reward yourself with after you are finally finished studying or something...think about what you just said, that studying in the next 20 days will decide a great part of your future...think of happy thoughts like what it will feel when you know you've started or when you're done...
475529
I think it's a great idea to go to a library.  Also, you may be "drifting" because you don't work well without any structure, and you don't know where to start your work.  \nStart by making a checklist of all your assignments for the night.  Break the bigger ones down into small pieces. Check off each piece as you do it.  Whenever you get bored with one thing, switch!  Rotate to the next subject.
125123
I tend to have the same problem. Assignment is due and I'm off shopping, hanging out. Things I know I shouldn't do but by the time I realize that it is due like within 24 hrs I get in this mode of work. Lol. I usually put off writing essays till the last minute and so far I have done pretty well. \n\nEnjoy yourself for the time being, relax then when you feel that your mind is ready start studying away.\n\nGood luck.
543729
I soooo hear you on this one. I'm in University and I'm a procrastinator to the core. I don't know if this will help you or not but, I got a laptop for my birthday this year, and now that I can sit on the couch and be comfortable (and I like being in the midst of noise too) I find it much easier to get work done. I think you just have to find a place where you can be comfortable, and know what time of day you work best at (I way prefer nights to mornings). Also, drinking water works better than caffeine. Good luck to you!
133099
Prioritize. If you KNOW you have a deadline to get homework or another task done, give yourself a time frame to do it and reward yourself with a small treat to accomplish that end. It might be a favorite food or drink, watching a movie or simply reading a good book. Stay focusedl...you CAN do it!