Why can't I focus on homework?

[Ham Blitz]

I'm on the same boat. Right now I should be doing CSE homework and I'm here, reading this thread about someone else doing the exact same thing I'm doing... I probably should get back to work.
My best advice is to try and close all fun tabs and convince yourself that you can do much more fun things after your work with your undivided attention, which is what I am about to do after posting this (I want to play Gears of War 3 so badly right now).

 

[Plumerou]

i like to sit down, get some paper sheets, put some of my favorite music WITHOUT lyrics (somehow they distract me and i start singing along and dont think while doing the problems and end up learning nothing, thats why) and sometimes get something to drink like a coffee while studying/doing homework

overall just relax, homework doesnt have to be unpleasent, you just have to go with the mindset that you might even enjoy a good study session, at least that works for me, and i learned that the hard way by not doing so well in my first year of college and having to re-do some of the classes

 

[Rainforce]

NO.

Want to know why? Because you have so many other, far more enjoyable things that you could be doing instead. It is not a sign of ADD. It is a sign of "oh look, enjoyable things."

Do. Not. Get. ADD. Meds.

What you need to do is just force yourself to sit and focus. In fact, give yourself goals and prizes. "If I focus on homework for an hour, I'll take a 10/20 minute break to do other things", etc.

Meds should be a last resort, and should obviously only be used if you've been diagnosed with ADD. And, fair warning, they don't help everyone. They made me worse.

I agree, medication for the mind mostly breaks it further : /
also it really is generaly a bad idea to jump to medication at the very first oportunity.
really makes you wonder.

anyways, on topic: set yourself goals, learn to enjoy the work/find it interesting, or just try to get used to spending a certain amount of time per day on homework. also getting bored of tvtropes etc. might help XD

 

[Warlord211]

I have the same exact problem. I'm supposed to be doing research for a 10 minute speech that is due in two days right now. I was about to head over to Google but accidentally opened the Escapist instead, then I decided that since I was already on here, might as well look at the forums. And now I'm here typing this while I'm supposed to be doing research.

 

[Quazimofo]

probably it's because of that god damn avatar of yours
*pokes with stick*
eeww

IT: I have the same problem
hell, I'm here when I should be doing my typography assignment for tomorrow =D

yeah, this is usually a problem for me when i have stuff i should do, but either isn't due tomorrow or no matter how late it gets still seems like a small assignment so i don't place as much importance on it as i should.

for instance, i have to catch up on spanish by writing nearly 3 pages hand-written worth of stuff about food, my family, and pass-times, as well as catch up on 8 math assignments which i dont find very important because 1, i already know the stuff (not a damn clue why im in pre-calc this year instead of trig, but only the first chapter is review so not a complete waste), and 2, i have an undefined ammount of time to do them so do it later has few consequences.

i usually get over this problem after a month or 2 in school after summer break, so yeah, its really just a discipline problem.

hell, the last 6 days i was supposed to be doing an essay, but i pulled up the research, wrote the first paragraph 2 days ago (The day before it was due) and just finished it/emailed it in today, and now cant focus on my math, though i think i know how to now since im in a serene part of my house.

so if you have a problem, just try doing your homework someplace else. for me, i find once i get started on homework, its easy to keep going, so perhaps if your computer cannot be moved (a desktop, i got lucky with a laptop i can move), just work on some other stuff in a quieter part of your house, then move to your comp for the paper after you have something accomplished. and make sure to remove outside distractions (like pets and pandora and family members etc.) by closing the door to the room, and for the love of god, dont use itunes/pandora/youtube etc. for a musical distraction-counter, because when you can control it, it becomes another distraction. radio or bust my friend