Losing focus while reading/studying...

[QAtoPA]

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So exactly like the topic says:

sometimes when I'm reading after about 10-15 mins my attention drifts off and I lose total focus. I catch myself just looking around or just thinking about random things. How do you guys avoid this? Also, I dislike studying in completely quiet places; I have to be where people are moving around or talking, else I ll get very sleepy.

Lol am I a lost case? :/

 

[BlueElmo]

take a break when your mind starts to wander. Go study in a cafe or something.

 

[Compass]

Take a deep breath. This happened to me all the time. Heck it happens to me no-LOOK A KITTEN!


A good thing to do is to remove distractions that you may have. As much as I hate to say it, sometimes you want to find a closet or almost-windowless room. Because you can get sleepy, try using some white noise on a radio. It won't be obnoxiously distracting, and as long as you're studying, it shouldn't put you to sleep either.

 

[teenmachinery1]

Drugs my friend, drugs...

ritalin, dextrometh.. other ADD medication, caffeine, theophylline, theobromine, yerba mate, exercise, etc.

 

[NotAsking4Much]

Internet is the bane of my existence...
I've realized this fact: if you really need to get something done, you'll do it. Otherwise, just pretend you're working on it to calm your conscience.

 

[Compass]

Internet is the bane of my existence...
I've realized this fact: if you really need to get something done, you'll do it. Otherwise, just pretend you're working on it to calm your conscience.

And that was the reason behind me getting terrible sleep prior to my exams. I have no idea how I defeated procrastination, but it felt great finishing all the stuff I needed done a week beforehand rather than a wee hour beforehand.

 

[ChemEngSoonMD]

So exactly like the topic says:

sometimes when I'm reading after about 10-15 mins my attention drifts off and I lose total focus. I catch myself just looking around or just thinking about random things. How do you guys avoid this? Also, I dislike studying in completely quiet places; I have to be where people are moving around or talking, else I ll get very sleepy.

Lol am I a lost case? :/

I usually stop to play a few a few hours of Starcraft. Its amazing how fast it brings back my focus.

 

[dw2158]

So exactly like the topic says:

sometimes when I'm reading after about 10-15 mins my attention drifts off and I lose total focus. I catch myself just looking around or just thinking about random things. How do you guys avoid this? Also, I dislike studying in completely quiet places; I have to be where people are moving around or talking, else I ll get very sleepy.

Lol am I a lost case? :/

don't get frustrated with yourself when you realize your mind has drifted. i don't know if you've ever done mindfulness meditation, but the principles behind that are really helpful here, IMO. if you start to space out, just acknowledge that you've spaced out and calmly bring your focus back to the task at hand. the more you practice gently dealing with these lapses in focus, the less frequently they'll happen! ...at least that has been my experience.

And that was the reason behind me getting terrible sleep prior to my exams. I have no idea how I defeated procrastination, but it felt great finishing all the stuff I needed done a week beforehand rather than a wee hour beforehand.

non-procrastinators unite! i'm an early bird with everything... i started studying a minimum of one week before all of my exams in undergrad. i'm just really cool like that.

 

[armybound]

I take breaks all the time while studying. It's a good way for me to learn.