So much trouble focusing!!?

Question

i'm in high school i do online school and it's so hard for me to focus on my work and read what i'm supposed to. i'll read for two seconds and then distract myself somehow and just stop doing my work. I REALLY NEED TO DO IT THOUGH! can someone please give me tips that help you focus, don't say "just think how important it is and you'll do it" because that doesn't work at all, i KNOW it's important. any remedies or foods or SOMETHING, ANYTHING, to help me focus! any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Forgive me if this is incorrect, we do traditional homeschool here rather than on line.  But if your reading is in textbooks, or novels, etc. and you are not reading on a monitor (or I suppose you could print out the text) maybe sitting in one place is just not for you.  My son and I are both "mobile learners", some call us ADD, ADHD, roflol.  He uses many of these techniques to help focus and I used them to get through college (very successfully).  Walk around with the book, go sit outside and do the reading.   Read while you prop the book on the treadmill and exercise while you read. You can also try sitting on an exercise ball instead of a chair.  Once you get the hang of it and stop falling and laughing at yourself, it really does help keep your muscles busy while your brain does other things.  

Do the other things people suggested too, short bursts of study, rewards for accomplishing a task (ex.  you can call your friend if you get the essay written by 2 p.m.)  etc.  But sometimes folks like us tend to find an overly quiet, unstimulating environment counterproductive.  My son does well using a personal CD player and listening to instrumental music (the words do distract) while he does his composition work.  He also keeps snacks nearby and a footstool and chair that tips back , a desk chair to help him focus.  BTW the snacks are simple ones like carrot sticks and apple slices, cheese sticks, not simpler carbs--those seem to make the inattention worse.  

You could have your mom or dad do some of their work at the table while you work too.  Sometimes it is nice just to have someone close by.  

Best wishes!!!!!

Answer 2

Get a timer! Work on an assignment for say 30 minutes. Take a 10 minute break (make sure you set a timer for that too). Then sit down and work again. That's the only thing that works with my child.

Answer 3

they all right!

Answer 4

We use a timer & see how much we can get done in 30 minute increments. The race against the clock keeps us focused.  Make a list of things to do. After each 30 minute work session, take a short break, then go right on to the next thing on your list.

Answer 5

Rather than staying at home where there's a TV, etc.  Why not try going to the library for all/part of your "school" day?

When I'm working, I like to have something to drink.  Right now w/ the cold weather, it's different flavors of hot tea.

If you're a kinesthetic learner (hands-on/movement), try sitting on an exercise ball while studying.  The movement may help your brain "organize".  Or have some sort of fidget item - like a Tangle, or Squish Ball.

Answer 6

Write down a to-do list for yourself for that day, or a schedule. These will help you stay focused on what you are doing. Try to think of the kinds of things that are distracting you, find a way to reduce the probability of those distractions coming up while you are doing your school work.