Anonymous
asks:
In Topics:
School and Academics, Cognitive development, Teen issues
Q:
i am a 14 year old girl and my mind roams at different things instead of concentrating in studies
> 60 days ago
What the Expert Says:
Additional Answers (2)
Dear Anonymous,
Are there some Study Skills classes being offered at your school? These would be really helpful in showing you how to organize and budget your time. We all need to have some time to let our minds wander!! Good students just learn to discipline themselves, so that they pick the times when they let their minds wander and the times when they can't let that happen.
If you called the Learning Disability Association in your area, they could give you tips about learning how to study and to concentrate. For example, some students need to move around as they study. Some students need to talk out loud. Some students have timers at their workspace, and they alternate work time and mind-wandering time. There are lots of options people use to help them be efficient when they study.
When you're in class and your mind wanders, you could always make sure that you have a pencil or pen or computer nearby. You could make continual notes about what the teacher is saying, or about the movie or experiment you're watching, or the class discussion, so that your hands are busy. If your hands are busy summarizing what you're seeing and hearing, then your brain will be thinking about that too.
Getting enough sleep at night will really help you to discipline yourself and to concentrate during the day.
Look around you at the successful students and talk to them about what they do to help themselves concentrate. You'll figure out the strategies that will help you the most.
Sincerely,
Sylvia HS
Reading Specialist
Author
Are there some Study Skills classes being offered at your school? These would be really helpful in showing you how to organize and budget your time. We all need to have some time to let our minds wander!! Good students just learn to discipline themselves, so that they pick the times when they let their minds wander and the times when they can't let that happen.
If you called the Learning Disability Association in your area, they could give you tips about learning how to study and to concentrate. For example, some students need to move around as they study. Some students need to talk out loud. Some students have timers at their workspace, and they alternate work time and mind-wandering time. There are lots of options people use to help them be efficient when they study.
When you're in class and your mind wanders, you could always make sure that you have a pencil or pen or computer nearby. You could make continual notes about what the teacher is saying, or about the movie or experiment you're watching, or the class discussion, so that your hands are busy. If your hands are busy summarizing what you're seeing and hearing, then your brain will be thinking about that too.
Getting enough sleep at night will really help you to discipline yourself and to concentrate during the day.
Look around you at the successful students and talk to them about what they do to help themselves concentrate. You'll figure out the strategies that will help you the most.
Sincerely,
Sylvia HS
Reading Specialist
Author
> 60 days ago
That is normal UP to some degree. If you can't concentrate on a certain task given ( say do problems 1-10 for example) and you find you just can't complete it without getting up for a drink, going to do this and that, you may have Attention Deficit Disorder. BUT is you can complete these tasks but just find your interest is low or on something that happened the day before, then its normal. I would try these techniques:
1. Try a cup of java! Yes, its been researched that concentration and tests scores go up when you drink a cup of coffee/latte.
2. Get enough exercise. This is a cure all to all types of issues.
3. DIET! Yes I said this with all caps! Your diet can determine several physical and mental issues you are having. Try adding more veggies in your daily meals. Instead of grabbing chips at break, go for the carrots and dip you snuck in your purse!
Finally, let's face it, school can be boring at times, but thats when YOU come in and make your study time creative! So try this:
Find a special space in your home. This could be a room, a corner, den, whereever. Now decorate that area in your own personal study place. Get some paper out and design it! You can even go as far as painting the room if your parents let you. Bright green and yellow are great colors for attention. Avoid blues and purples as they may make you want to sleep. You want to make sure you have plenty of light! Gather some cool pens and pencils and start to work :D
1. Try a cup of java! Yes, its been researched that concentration and tests scores go up when you drink a cup of coffee/latte.
2. Get enough exercise. This is a cure all to all types of issues.
3. DIET! Yes I said this with all caps! Your diet can determine several physical and mental issues you are having. Try adding more veggies in your daily meals. Instead of grabbing chips at break, go for the carrots and dip you snuck in your purse!
Finally, let's face it, school can be boring at times, but thats when YOU come in and make your study time creative! So try this:
Find a special space in your home. This could be a room, a corner, den, whereever. Now decorate that area in your own personal study place. Get some paper out and design it! You can even go as far as painting the room if your parents let you. Bright green and yellow are great colors for attention. Avoid blues and purples as they may make you want to sleep. You want to make sure you have plenty of light! Gather some cool pens and pencils and start to work :D
> 60 days ago
