I am a student and need to put long hours on my course work since competition is pretty stiff here. However, I cannot concentrate on a thing for more than a few minutes. My mind just wanders off. I have tried meditation but somehow its not working. Do you have a remedy?\n\nThanks in advance.
203491
i have the same problem. i find if my apartment is really clean i study better, and my concentration is better. not really sure why, but it works for me. i also found that the more often i studied, the better my concentration got.....some days were better than others though. oh, and the basics: make sure you get a little bit of exercise every day, get plenty of sleep, and eat lots of fruits and veggies.
150866
One of my problems is that I'll be thinking about the things I need to do the next day or the week.  That makes me stay awake.  Get up drink some water and lay back down and try to just relax, don't think about going back to sleep - just relax.  If that don't work then count sheep, that does work.
486572
Maybe you should have a sit down with the parental units and tell them that this isn't working and you don't know what will help, but having people coming and going and etc isn't helping either.\nThen, suggest a quiet area other than your room in the house to study.  A well lit area with a radio.  Radio turned on to soft music, not the type you're listening to every day, will help relax the body and let you learn.  Proven fact that easy listening makes the body more receptive to new thoughts.  \nHave something to drink, so you're not getting up all the time, some snaks, nothing great, just pretzels or something, again so you don't have to get up.  Keep the room the right temp, not too hot and not too cold...unless you are doing a last minute cram session and then a really cold room helps.\nTry getting up early in the morning instead of the night before.  Get up early in the morning before anyone else does and study then....\nGood luck, you really have to give it more attention in order to accomplish your goals.  You can do it, just communicate with the family and tell them the issues.
298984
Im in the middle of dead week...where it is study for finals all week with minimal activity otherwise.  I charge up with alot of snacks including my favorite stress food...cheesy popcorn.  I brew up a pot of coffee, take an asprin, and get about 3 hours of sleep.  Im not ready to go home though...because I am at home :).  Good luck to you and everyone on there finals!  Happy Studying!!!
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!
260450
I have that problem too.  By the way, it need not destroy your future.  I'm about to finish my Ph.D., and while this problem can be challenging, there are techniques to help control it.\n\nThe most important thing is to not condemn yourself because of it.  Recognize this as one challenge you must overcome, but do not let it overwhelm you.  \n\nI've found background music to be helpful. It allows your mind to be fully occupied, without distracting too much from your studies.  I prefer classical music, but any instrumental music should be ok.  I've found that music with lyrics can be too distracting, but if it is just instrumental, it balances well.\n\nBest of luck to you.
150415
I feel your pain!\nHere are some things that have worked for me-\nTry doing the same routine every night before you go to sleep- do a few yoga streches, take a shower and have a cup of tea (I recommend chamomile mango- Bigelow I think...) and THEN climb into bed.  \nTry an eye pillow- it blocks out the light and keeps you from staring around at you furniture while you curse yourself for not being asleep already :)\nTry doing some sort of exercise during the day- it makes you more tired- like running up and down some steps a few times.\nTry to go to sleep and get up at the same time each day.  I know it sounds nuts- who want to get up at seven on a weekend!?  But it seems to help me- it gives your body a schedule.\nTry not to do work on your bed- that way you can associate your bed with sleep adn relaxation only.  \nIf you're lying there for over 30 minutes, try getting up and walking around.  Go sit in the living room and just chill- no TV though.\nIf you're worrying about something- school. work, life- sit in your living room or somewhere other that your bedroom and let yourself think about it and obsess about it for maybe 20 minutes- whatever.  Maybe try to work out a solution.  And then say to yourself, ok! I'm done thinking about that- mean it! and then climb into bed.\nGOOD LUCK!!! I'm not saying that these always always always work for me but they're worth a try.\nZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.......... :)
44445
just yesterday, i sat for studies at 7:00pm and i got so absorbed that i sat till 12:15am. if u cant sit for longer than 45 min try listening to some music when u do your maths or some writing work. due to that you dont get bored studying as u have songs which u can listen. DOnT TRY THAT WHILE LEANING SOMETHING.
277467
I always get a CD that gets me focused or to calm down and play that.  Then you gotta just do it.  Give yourself goals.  If I learn X words (or study for X minutes) I can reward myself with a treat.  Study for short periods.  20 minutes always seems doable for me.  Then I can get up and take my dog for a 5 minute walk or eat some chocolate.  You gotta have something to look forward to.
486267
Depends entirely on what result you're after. Ginko is a good memory aid, and ginseng has reportedly assisted the ability to concentrate, Frankly the best way to look after your brain physically is the same as any other part of the body - good nutrition. When the body is 'comfortable', the mind is less distracted. I find that Omega 3's are very valuable in my daily diet and I use cold pressed flax oil liberally as a salad dressing. \nMental focus increases with practice, so get yourself into a quiet, relaxed and comfortable condition and you'll find that your mind cooperates much more readily. Gradually you'll experience less and less distraction and you'll be able to focus with tremendous unwavering concentration. This isn't just wishful thinking, this is my personal experience. Hope it helps.
210549
i have the same problem. what i've found to help is to listen to music. i have also found that doing it out side while playing with a pet or while talking to a friend help a lot because then you actually are concentrating but on two things. it should make it easier. or you could tryplaying a sport befor you do your homework.
78056
What is making it so hard to concentrate? Is everything OK?\nKnow this for yourself. If there's nothing majorly wrong, try an organizer from Walmart or the drugstore, or index cards with tasks and reminders that you print on them. Dollar stores carry these-and organizers sometimes.\nBe patient with yourself when you make mistakes and find healthy ways of dealing with stress.\nTake care, Buttercup
556251
Don't study when you don't want to. When you enjoy, enjoy to the maximum. When you study, study whole heartily. If you don't feel like studying for 10 days, don't. \n    Also, there is no problem in being able to concentrate for a few hours only on a subject. If you study for half an hour and than go on to do something else and then return again, it will be fine. Just make sure you do return. Also watch lesser T.V shows and reduce the number of your friends. This way you won't have to worry about anything when studying. i.e You should not be waiting for your fav. t.v show when you are studying.
382545
Was not successful, for me.\n\n"Mindfulness Meditation worked (still works) for me !!!\nAuthor  Jon Kabat-Zinn PhD."!!!\n\nAnd I ate a good size healthy breakfast daily (still do),  a  moderate lunch and dinner.  Never eat after 5:30 PM.\nAnd always drink a Full 8 oz. glass of Water (not tap water) right before you eat lunch and dinner.  Keeps food consumption at a moderation.\nAnd lastly,  exercise every other day.\n20 to 30 min. of  Cardio.\n\nBe  Very  Patient  with  Yourself.  Be Kind to yourself  and  forgiving toward yourself also.\n\nExcellent Question.\n\nR.N. -  with  Masters  Degree.\n\nP.S. =  Diet pills are Not recommended.  They give most people the feeling that they are on Speed, or other recreational drugs.  And  I  know many people that are presently in  drug \nrehab. clinics because of there addiction to Diet Pills.
216876
Meditation.\n\nThis can be the only solution to your problem. I have solved my problem with meditation. We forget advices very easily. If you keep taking people's advice about how to concentrate on your studies you will never come to any solution. You will just think like, ok! I will do this. Most probably, the next day you will forget because EVERYBODY hates to CHANGE unless THINGS CHANGE US. Very people knows how TO CHANGE THINGS.\n\nRemember! sometime THINGS chooses US and sometime WE CHOOSE THINGS. Which is better?\n\nI dont know.\n\nTry meditaion. Meditate yourself and self-talk or give auto-suggestion to yourself repeatedly and repeatedly.\n\nFor your reference, about how to meditate. Visit:\n\nwww.tm.org\nwww.silvamethod.com\n\nand some books on meditaion.\n\n\nMeditation is DOING something for improvement and listening to advice is trying to do something for improvement. Tell me which is better. Trying or just sit and start doing?\n\nTake action now.\n\nNow! go, do it!\n\nGoodLuck!
356197
If you lose your concentration in studies, something disturb is there in your mind. So, first you can find the solution for that, fix some commitment for that. Then you start the study. Take 10Mt's.break for every 30 to 45 Mt's between studies. Listen melodies music or meditation or magazine.
267173
Concentrating and Reading\n\nIt is often difficult to concentrate during your studies. Here are some techniques that many students have found helpful. \nAsking Yourself Questions \nGetting the Most from Your Reading \nRead the Ideas \nAsking Yourself Questions\nThe key to maintaining focus is to stop periodically and ask yourself questions, such as \nHow does this relate to what I already know? \nIf this is true, what else follows? \nWhat else could these facts mean? \nWhat assumptions are being made? \nWhat's the evidence for this? \nCan I think of a good example of this? \nWhat are the unique points of this? \nGetting the Most from Your Reading\nCheck off (with a light pencil mark) each paragraph that you completely understand. If you start to get lost in the reading, you will know exactly where: just after the last check! \nIf a section is too difficult for you, try reading in a whisper. Hearing what we read is like reading it a second time. \nSimilarly, it is good to stop regularly and summarize out loud what you have just read. \nTry to link new information with the information you already know. Ask yourself, ``How do I already know this?'' You can also ask yourself questions such as the focus questions above. Active linking creates powerful memories. \nTake a few seconds to visualize what you have just read. \nDon't forget to jot down key words and concepts. If you read, `rite, and recite (``3R''), you've got a better chance of retaining crucial information. \nAfter taking a short break from studying, and before you start up again, take a few minutes to review the information you have just learned. This will give you a sense of progress and motivate you to continue on. \nRead the Ideas\nWhen you are reading \nStop at the end of each \nParagraph \nPage \nMain Section \nClose your book \nRecall the ideas from memory \nRecite the ideas out loud in your own words \n\n--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\naugustine@columbia.edu\nLast update: February 4, 1996