I lose concentration during the day - what can I do?

My days always start off good. I wake up early around 8am and work out for 30 minutes. Then I shower, and begin my assignments for the day at around 10am. But it all goes haywire around lunchtime. I start to lose focus and become less interested in the work. I don't keep the TV on while I work, but I keep music on. Once I've listened to 2 CDs I start to wonder around and get tired of the music. So then I walk around the house/go out/watch TV/surf the net/talk to people, anyway, anything but my work. Today I got one eighth of what I was supposed to do done. And I'm meant to have a tight schedule these days because I'm behind with a lot of work. And I want to finish everything by Saturday. Every night I go over what I want to do the next day and I'm motivated at night and in the morning but not during the day.

So yeah, I can't stay concentrated and waste the day. What do you think the problem is? How should I solve it?

Reply 1

generalebriety

16

Instead of going through what you want to do at night, do the work at night and go through it in the afternoon? :smile:

Reply 2

Segat1

16

Reply 3

Anonymous #1

OP

Run! It's:

Seriously guys, if anyone knows any tips on staying focused please help I'm falling really behind with my work now and I can't help it.

Reply 4

Nagini

I totally know what you mean, but nothing really works for me. sometimes working in a busy-ish area keeps me focused. You know, with people around, so when you start daydreaming eventually you hear a sound and snap out of it. Every once in a while that works for me, or i just get distracted watching the people.

Reply 5

Unique Brunette

believe it or not i have the exact same issue nowdays. so im also looking for something to solve this problem :smile:

i feel so guilty for not finishing the work but i dont know why im not doing it :frown:

Reply 6

SB

2

Maybe try moving elsewhere? Sometimes I just can't work at home, and the library often helps me. When I was revising for my exams last year I also discovered the joys of Starbucks for a change... they often have little desks in the bigger ones, sometimes even laptop plugs.

Also, plan yourself little breaks... if you're starting work at 10 and working until 12, try and push yourself til 12.30, then take a long lunch break, an hour or so, just chill out. Or maybe do a couple of hours first thing when you get up, then do your work-out. If you feel like it's legitimate you're less likely to feel guilty and unmotivated.

Last thing, are you having breakfast? Because if you're hungry you're in trouble. Protein's particularly good, an egg or some yoghurt with nuts and seeds, to get you going. Good luck!

Reply 7

shewantstobeme

10

omega 3 and fish oil tablets! they are great for improving concentration!

http://www.fishupdate.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/6265/Omega_3_'plays_significant_role_helping_to_improve_children's_learning'.html

Previous research has shown that supplementation with eye q(TM), the omega-3 fish oil and omega-6 evening primrose oil supplement used in a groundbreaking Durham Schools trial, has played a significant role in helping to improve children's learning and behaviour.

The Food for the Brain Schools Campaign is a unique experiment designed to investigate the combined effects of supplementation with eye q(TM), a multivitamin, an additive free diet low in sugar, alongside a structured exercise routine of speed, agility and quickness (SAQ).

my bf's teacher said he should take them, and she said she was really impressed and noticed the difference, so it obviously works!

Reply 8

Link100p

Force yourself, it's the only way.

Reply 9

Thud

17

shewantstobeme

omega 3 and fish oil tablets! they are great for improving concentration!

my bf's teacher said he should take them, and she said she was really impressed and noticed the difference, so it obviously works!

yeah was what i was gonna suggest. cod liver oil :wink:

Reply 10

Anonymous #1

OP

I'll go into town tomorrow and pick some up then.

Does anyone know how to handle a workload? Trust me I have loads, and I'm struggling to think of how I can get it all done by Friday night.

Reply 11

username81904

15

either wake up really early or work really late? Use the middle of the day for everything else you have to do.

Reply 12

sidi

1

Someone told me to sprinkle rosemary essential oil on my books to help concentration. I don't care if its effect is psychological or not, it seems to work. Also you can take it into exams and sprinkle onto exam paper and it brings back memories of where you were/what you learnt when you first used it. Also keep sipping water so you are properly hydrated, this also relieves tiredness.

Reply 13

Ben Dover the Lollipop Man

14

I get that, one solution go to the library!!!!

Reply 14

Anonymous #2

ive got the same problem.

Reply 15

jbfergie

4

I can only work first thing in the morning and as soon as i stop for any sort of break i completely lose motivation. The only way to beat this lack of motivation is to think of what you are studying for. Thats the only thing that eventually gets me back to the books and the fear of failure.

Reply 16

Rabite

8

That's a really good way to make yourself work ([edit] I meant going to the library - but fear of failure works too). I mean, if you're in the right (wrong) section, a library is a really boring place to be in. :p:

I suggest going downstairs and working on the dining table.
Listen to music if you will, but don't listen to anything with lyrics. Doesn't have to be Mozart or Handel though (actually, such complex music can be distracting, even without words). Something like Einaudi would do.

Write down what you want to do before you start doing it - so you'll feel guilty when you see unticked boxes on that page.

Get everything you need before starting. A jug of water is a good idea - don't give yourself excuses to get up and 'find' something, else you might not come back, hehe...

To handle a large workload, you either have to skip some of it (not recommended, really) or be very efficient (which depends on what you're doing, really). If you're revising for an essay subject, write in noteform or use a diagram instead of a lengthly paragraph.
If you're doing mathematics, skip a question if it looks exactly the same as one you can do, but with different values. And so on.

Reply 17

Anonymous #1

OP

I have about 50 pages of coursework to do - all on the computer. Which means I can't do it at a desk, or in the library (they only have 4 computers) so I'm stuck on this damn thing every bloody day! Gets annoying.

Reply 18

ßlαcksωαn

17

Anonymous

My days always start off good. I wake up early around 8am and work out for 30 minutes. Then I shower, and begin my assignments for the day at around 10am. But it all goes haywire around lunchtime. I start to lose focus and become less interested in the work. I don't keep the TV on while I work, but I keep music on. Once I've listened to 2 CDs I start to wonder around and get tired of the music. So then I walk around the house/go out/watch TV/surf the net/talk to people, anyway, anything but my work. Today I got one eighth of what I was supposed to do done. And I'm meant to have a tight schedule these days because I'm behind with a lot of work. And I want to finish everything by Saturday. Every night I go over what I want to do the next day and I'm motivated at night and in the morning but not during the day.

So yeah, I can't stay concentrated and waste the day. What do you think the problem is? How should I solve it?

What time do you go to bed?

Reply 19

Anonymous #1

OP

^ 12.

I lose concentration during the day - what can I do?

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