Exams. I need to concentrate, but it is not happening!

[Metality]

Alright, exams coming up and I am not able to concentrate at all. Various reasons to this- subjects are boring, over confidence, feeling very emotional/depressed (broke off a relationship over a month ago, got over it very easily and everything is coming back to me now) and also I am feeling sexually aroused all the time. I tried meditating (not very good at this), I even cried a lot (I let out my feelings this way). Nothing seems to work. I need help!

[Swede]

You could try to take small steps.

DAY 1
===============
1) Study for 5 minutes. Take a break for 30 minutes.

2) Repeat. Now you have finished your task for today.

3) Take a long steady walk for at least an hour.

DAY 2
===============
1) Study for 10 minutes. Take a break for 30 minutes.

2) Study for 15 minutes. Now you have finished your task for today.

3) Take a long steady walk for at least an hour.

DAY 3
===============
1) Study for 20 minutes. Take a break for 30 minutes.

2) Repeat.

3) Take a long steady walk for at least an hour.


DAY 4
===============
You are probably back on track by now. Otherwise keep 'training' yourself.


I know you will make it in the next few days.

[Clint Cora]

Try moving to another location to study like a private study room or somewhere else where you have no distractions. Then for your next semester, I would suggest you check out the study skills strategy video where I outlined a fuller approach for the rest of your academic year. It has helped many students.

Good luck.

[Postros]

Hello friends, I’ll go by the name Postros : ) I’ve found myself drawn to this forum at this stage in my life, so here’s my first (too long) post.

First of all, I think that taking the step to share your troubles here is a great first step to solutions. You are dealing with the problem by organizing it in your head, starting to get ready to tackle it. Also, your openness to suggestions will build you a personal reservoir of ideas that you’ll find work best for you.

I think that both Swede and Clint Cora have put very valuable contributions to your thread as a great way to start and tackle your problem.

In no way do I want to dismiss your problems that keep you from studying, but I’m going to throw them on a heap by calling them ‘distractions’. Because in the end, we all have to find the time and effort to be productive and successful, between worse or less worse distractions.

I have this problem myself. I have to start studying for an exam tomorrow, and I was thinking of prepping myself mentally right before I start. I feel it’s important for me to realize that there’s always something more fun, more interesting, more relaxing, more pressing, more arousing, more whatever, than having to deal with the distressing moments of work and study. The funny thing is that these distractions always seem more fun, interesting, etc. when I’m studying than when I’m free. I think it’s because they present themselves as an escape route from the stress of work and study. Think about how boring chores all of a sudden seem more pressing when you have that book in front of you. But I think reality shows us that people who discipline themselves to focus on the task at hand deliver results and are more inclined to be successful.
I’m not exactly clear on how to prep myself best. But I’m going to get the book “The War of Art” that was suggested by Taylor in the thread "Cannot achieve my goals, big self-discipline problem" from 11-21-2011. Taylor’s summary of the book caught my attention, so take a look. : )

Before really forcing yourself to focus on the materials though, I think it’s important to take with you the suggestions made by Swede and Clint Cora.

Even with the exams near, it might be counterproductive to start to force yourself to make up for time lost. I find that, in the long run, you benefit best from building a culture of self-imposed scheduling (discipline buildup?). And coming from all these distractions, it will work best if you allow yourself to start by doing the doable and build from there as I think Swede suggests. By allowing yourself to keep to your promise, you’ll see much later that you are able to count on yourself to do a lot more hours. Of course, the productivity and success will be delayed, and so might your feelings of being rewarded. But try to feel the rewards that lay in your future little by little, day by day, by reminding yourself that you’re improving. Believe me, over some time, you will see progress. Also try here to think of things you’ve accomplished before that required long term effort.
And while you make this culture of productivity and focusing grow on you, try to incorporate a location as Clint Cora suggests. By starting from the doable and going to hours of working in the same study location, you will find that the mental association with productivity will reinforce your efforts any time you find yourself there again.

[MrProductive]

I like Swede`s idea. Sounds like you need some sort of structure to get you back on track and to increase your confidence.

What I find helps is using a timer for studying or any type of work. I set it for 30mins and work on nothing but the task at hand. The result is I get more done that I would of working or studying for 2 hours (I get distracted for easily). This way Im working smarter and actually have more free time to goto the gym or other leisure activities :-)

[plokoon]

^ That idea works well. I am doing this with my huge research paper. So what I did was each day, or so and so. I would do a paragraph a day, or complete a partial of a hard task. And its helpful because your more focused, you feel accomplished and its a lot better then picking a day to get it all done, or waiting till the last minute to do something. You will be less likely motivated.

[menkipenx]

Hi Friends


Swede gave a great Idea

I also recommend to draw a mindmap while reading or just to take note of the headlines.

Just to keep track of what you have read


Hope you the best