Why can't I focus on homework?

[PhunkyPhazon]

Does anyone else have this problem? Say you have a ton of homework due the next day. You get on your computer, open Microsoft Word/whatever, pull up the necessary research online...and then spend the next three hours here on the Escapist/Cracked/TV Tropes/Wikipedia/A random blog you would normally never read/Youtube/so on, so on. I could move myself away from the computer, but I literally need it. I can't unplug the internet, because I need that, too. I just can't focus.

Tips?

 

[Qizx]

I'm gonna go ahead and strongly suggest looking into getting some ADD medication, I know a lot of people with that problem and it seemed to help them A LOT with their problems. Try talking with your physician and see what he or she says.

 

[ZeroMachine]

I'm gonna go ahead and strongly suggest looking into getting some ADD medication, I know a lot of people with that problem and it seemed to help them A LOT with their problems. Try talking with your physician and see what he or she says.

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.

 

[smearyllama]

You could use the parental controls on your browser to block time-waster sites.

 

[Qizx]

I'm gonna go ahead and strongly suggest looking into getting some ADD medication, I know a lot of people with that problem and it seemed to help them A LOT with their problems. Try talking with your physician and see what he or she says.

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.

Which is why I said to speak with your doctor before any medication is being received. However if someone honestly can't control what they're doing that's a serious problem. Yeah sometimes I get distracted but after a half hour or so at most I can break free and do what needs to be done. If someone is spending countless hours unable to get done what NEEDS to be done that's bad.

 

[lobster1077]

I'm gonna go ahead and strongly suggest looking into getting some ADD medication, I know a lot of people with that problem and it seemed to help them A LOT with their problems. Try talking with your physician and see what he or she says.

Joking? Of course, this is a very minor self discipline issue, med's like those really don't alleviate anything, just replace small burdens with larger ones.

 

[teh_Canape]

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

 

[Blunderboy]

It's just a matter of discipline. We all have lapses in that respect.
I'd suggest joining the army, but that didn't help the girl who started that "I hate lairs" thread earlier.

 

[M920CAIN]

Does anyone else have this problem? Say you have a ton of homework due the next day. You get on your computer, open Microsoft Word/whatever, pull up the necessary research online...and then spend the next three hours here on the Escapist/Cracked/TV Tropes/Wikipedia/A random blog you would normally never read/Youtube/so on, so on. I could move myself away from the computer, but I literally need it. I can't unplug the internet, because I need that, too. I just can't focus.

Tips?

Well I think it depends on the homework and if you're attracted to the subject you're supposed to be studying/learning about. That said, the Internet has many distractions, I'll give you that, but in the end, you are the one who has to focus, you need to find the will to do what has to be done. I don't think medication is the answer to help concentration. It's better when it comes natural.

 

[Amphoteric]

I procrastinate SO FUCKING MUCH.

i was doing it now but then I realised I have a free period before the period my homework is due on so now I can browse the web guilt free =D.

Here is a Tvtropes link about the problem.

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/RidiculousProcrastinator

 

[Pegghead]

You don't need ritalin or what-not, procrastination is nothing new and you just gotta have the discipline to buck up and do some work. Trick is to never go "I'm gonna work for four hours straight!", that'll never happen. Just set a definite start and end time, take periodic breaks (if it's a big load you need to get done in the one night) and relax when it's all over.

 

[twistedmic]

I'm gonna go ahead and strongly suggest looking into getting some ADD medication, I know a lot of people with that problem and it seemed to help them A LOT with their problems. Try talking with your physician and see what he or she says.

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.

Getting tested for ADHD (which is what ADD is now called) can't hurt, provided that you go to someone who specializes or is at least properly trained, to diagnose that issue. While ADHD is over-diagnosed, along with Aspberger's, many people are genuinely affected by it and medication can help.
If you (PhunkyPhazon) do go on meds, your doctor should work with you to dial in the best medication and dosage for you.

To ZeroMachine, it is possible that ADHD medication can help you if you have the correct strength and dosage. Your doctor may have prescribed something that was too weak or too strong and that's why it didn't work out for you.

 

[Sexual Harassment Panda]

Probably because it's very boring.

I wouldn't suggest seeking medication when it's a perfectly valid response to mandatory and boring tasks.

 

[Scarim Coral]

Start adapting a new mind set "work now, play later".

Just focus on solely getting your homeworks done. Once that is done you are free to do whatever you want without feeling guilt or worries about the incompleted homeworks.

 

[theheroofaction]

Why cant you focus on your homework?

Because it's really fucking boring, that's why.

 

[HerbertTheHamster]

Turn the computer off

not exactly rocket science this

 

[Hollock]

disconnect to the internet or work at school. That should do it.

 

[Firstmark_Bannor]

PFFT, Who does homework anyway? I convinced my teachers to make my final exam 100% of my grades when i was in school.

 

[PhunkyPhazon]

I procrastinate SO FUCKING MUCH.

i was doing it now but then I realised I have a free period before the period my homework is due on so now I can browse the web guilt free =D.

Here is a Tvtropes link about the problem.

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/RidiculousProcrastinator

*slap* I know you mean well, but TV Tropes is NOT what I need right now =P

I'm gonna go ahead and strongly suggest looking into getting some ADD medication, I know a lot of people with that problem and it seemed to help them A LOT with their problems. Try talking with your physician and see what he or she says.

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.

Which is why I said to speak with your doctor before any medication is being received. However if someone honestly can't control what they're doing that's a serious problem. Yeah sometimes I get distracted but after a half hour or so at most I can break free and do what needs to be done. If someone is spending countless hours unable to get done what NEEDS to be done that's bad.

I suppose it's possible, but I rather doubt that I have ADHD. I mean heck, just looking at the common traits on Wikipedia, I don't really seem to fit. I'm generally great at managing time when it isn't related to homework. But when it is, I end up stretching a two or three hour task over an entire day. I mean sure, I have a few ADHD traits, but doesn't everyone?

@ZeroMachine: I certainly can't say I'm very enthused about writing a paper on the fast food industry, this is true. Then again, I rarely get enthused about English papers at all.

From what I'm reading here (And I've read every post I can currently see), I'm thinking it's a simple matter of procrastination and lack of discipline, or at least when the assignments aren't super urgent. I can buckle down when I absolutely have to- I once worked on a 15 page paper for an entire day with very little distractions. But what I'm working on right now, for example, is just a draft. I know it doesn't have to be fancy or long, and I have hours on end to work on it. But instead of just getting it over with and moving on with my day, I alternate between web-surfing and sort-of working, and by the time I'm finally done I essentially need to go straight to bed.

In response to the suggestions of setting time restrictions and rewards for myself, those are certainly fine ideas. Trouble is, it's so easy to double back on those promises when you're the one responsible for your own satisfaction. Once again, this comes down to discipline.

So I guess I just lack discipline. And the only real way to improve that (Aside from joining the army) is through self-control, isn't it?

And BTW, I actually just got a surprising amount done on that paper.

EDIT: A couple of new posts I'd like to respond to.

Turn the computer off

not exactly rocket science this

Oh yes, and then I can not do any homework whatsoever =D

disconnect to the internet or work at school. That should do it.

That...that's actually a pretty good idea. Being on campus makes it feel like it's more 'serious business' then if I'm working at home. I doubt I'd slip into my procrastinat-y ways if I were there, and even if I did I'm bound to get blocked from the majority of the sites I visit. I think I might try that in the near future.

 

[Redlin5_v1legacy]

disconnect to the internet or work at school. That should do it.

The internet dues it to me. I got self-suspended here twice for a reason