Concentration help.?

Question

I'm homeschooled (distance education), grade 11, and i can't concentrate on doing school work. I've tried everything, but i keep getting distracted. Going back to a mainstream school isn't an option, as i live much too far away. It's possible the computer is my main distraction, but it's also not an option to turn it off, as most of my work is typed and/or online. I don't 'feel good' after i finish something, like i achieved it, it's just 'move onto the next thing.' Most of my work is last minute, when i stress it's going to be late..what can i do?

Answer 1

What is distracting you? Some distractions we truly can't  avoid; others aren't really distractions, but ways for us to procrastinate and so we ignore what we know we should be doing so that we can do something that we find more enjoyable. So, really, it's not a matter of being distracted in most cases, it's a matter of trying to avoid the feeling we have about the work. You've just got to make yourself do it, set yourself limits, put post-it notes up if you have to, remind yourself by saying, "I'm going to get this math work done before I take a short break." (Then use a timer during your break or you'll end up taking too long of a break!)

It also sounds like you are wanting to feel like you are achieving something rather than just working on something that seems endless. Focus on setting goals--long-term as well as short-term--and each day, set specific goals for yourself that are in line with you meeting your other longer-term goals. If you need that 'feedback' of a job well done, then get yourself some cool stickers to put on your daily list once it's done. It may sound silly, but it can be a nice reminder to us that we HAVE done a good job and that we are DONE for the day.

Answer 2

You can do what I do, get a pair of sound canceling headphones, some great music, and ignore the world.  I've actually uninstalled my messenger applications for four hours just to get an essay done because they were distracting me!  So I know how it is.

Blessed be

Answer 3

go to a library and sit in an area where no computers are near by...the silence is enough to keep you focused...it works for me except i plug my headphones...and listen to music it keeps me ultra focused i had the same problem as you last year at college...

good luck...if you are determined it'll happen

Answer 4

Is it possible for you to try another method of homeschooling?  It sounds like the online method just plain isn't for you.

If there's still time to get out of the year contract, I would really talk to your parents about doing so.  Otherwise, see if you can change at the semester.  It sounds like you would do much better with class by DVD, or concurrent enrollment/co op classes, or even just reading and researching on your own.  Online classes are good, but they're not for everyoned - and if they don't work well for you, they can actually keep you from learning.

You're old enough that you should be pretty independent in whatever method will work best for you, so it really shouldn't be any additional work for your parents.  Many hs kids your age are almost completely independent, even checking their work according to the solutions/teachers manual to see where they went wrong and to figure out how to fix it.  Their moms structure their assignments and lesson plans, but your mom could even enlist your help in doing that...and it would give you much more freedom and say over how you learn.  (I even include my 5th grader in working out some of his lesson plans, and it works really well.)

Hope that helps!

Answer 5

You could create a separate account on your computer. Like, on  windows, set up a different account. So you can log on to your homeschooling account, which would have only the programs that you need to complete your homeschooling. Then you wouldn't be tempted to use other programs. Good luck! I know it's hard!

Answer 6

First you need to figure out what it is that is distracting you and eliminate the distractions as much as is possible. Next, you need to determine what your attention span is. That is how long do you usually work before getting distracted?

Once you have determined your attention span, than start doing work for that length of time. Take a 5-10 minute break and do something else, than go back to your work.

add 5 minutes to your work periods once a week or so until you are working for 1 1/2 to two hours at a time. It's not a good idea to work at a computer for more than two hours without a break.

Set realistic goals for what you want to accomplish each day, week, quarter, and semester and reward your self when you acheive those goals. The reward does not have to be a material object. Just do something you enjoy doing.