Concentration

hey

i really haven't really been able to concentrate properly since i left school 3 years ago. i'm finding uni work really dull and irrelevant but i have to do it. it has affected my grades.

at the moment i'm trying to revise for exams next week. when i'm trying to concentrate on something, i find myself daydreaming and the whole day could go, where i've been sitting at my desk 'revising' and gone over loads of stuff, but nothing has actually gone in. i skip soo much cos it's boring, when i really shouldn't.

i really need to fix this problem asap, cos it's not just revision, it's all work, when i'm writing essays, preparing any work in general...i'll just do the bare minimum.

can anyone give any tips as to how they maintain their concentration? like any way i can trick myself? argh...i really need gd grades this year (scaring myself doesn't really work either, i just get freaked out and it affects my work even more)

thanks

xxxx

Reply 1

The Toffy

I always find listening to music in the background helps me concentrate. Perhaps you could try that?

Also, i do 40 minutes revision, 20 minutes break. You need a break in between revision sessions to allow yourself to sort the information you've revised.

Reply 2

Lost_in_a_daydream

Aww im sorry 2 hear u cant concentrate... i have had the same problem in the past! it's infuriating! well...there are various things u can do. make sure you're not overdosing on sugar, caffeine etc as a little can help, a lot really won't (except when it's 3am and you HAVE to do that essay :smile:

lol) i know this may sound odd but apparently the herb basil is very good for improving concentration. make sure u have enough sleep. and proper sleep. not lying undethe quilt for 6 hours trying to get some shut eye. and foods with a low gi like wholemeal foods, bananas, oats etc. theses wil keep up your energy levels! also try breaking your work don into chunks and prioritise, do the worst/hardest things when u feel at your best, have the most energy etc.

hope this helps

:smile:

Reply 3

NeoLint

bwoi! thought I was the only one. I totally feel you. Tryin to read...but daydreaming;
tryin to concentrate...end up falling asleep. Started thinking I've gotta rely on other people for my work, to explain things...but its gotta stop.
If anyone has a clue of how to stop this...plzzzz write!

By the way...try reading immediately you wake up from sleep, I've noticed I did assimilate better.
Just offering tips.

also on the contrary, have you tried reading in loud environment? not talking about music in the ears, I mean people 'yabbin' away in the background;

Reply 4

kinglrb

Same with me I've been day dreaming for the last two weeks when I try to revise. I start writing things down when I start day dreaming it makes me concentrate. I also start reading stuff out loud it stops you from day dreaming. I basically try to occupy myself so much and I am a boy so multi-tasking isn't gonna happen :biggrin:

Reply 5

thunderstorm

hehe i have the same problem every year. on placement atm so half dreading going back as no idea how ill get back into revision!

i found tho that working at home/wherever i was staying at uni just didnt often work for me. if im in my own room its like theres 10 billion distractions all around.

it was still not that good; but i found forcing myself to the uni library ws the only way i could get any work. maybe you could go with some friends? i used to go with some mates and we'd say ok lets power it for an hour then all go and grab a drink. it made it kind of easier and u had little breaks to 'look forward' to (and believe me i did haha!)

i think it helps not being in your comfortable surroundings, and being surrounded by others revising kinda makes you think **** i need to get some work done.

I still had days where i didnt do much tho; but it definitely helped-give it a go :smile:

Reply 6

space hopper

If you find you are daydreaming when trying to read then I find that it often helps if you read it out loud and record yourself, then listen to it back while you read it. If you have to read it out loud then it slows you down so you take more in. Also I would suggest instead of just reading out of a book you could try making notes/ spiderdiagrams/ using different resources with the same information so its not just the same old textbook. Also if you really can't concentrate then have a break/ go for a walk/ get some fresh air and then go back to it. Good luck! x