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[Sigulbard]

I can't stay focused on schoolwork. Whenever I start doing it I find a distraction factor (Internet, friends, even a simple pencil) and start abusing it for time-wasting purposes, sometimes unconciously.
See? It's happening even now - I'm making a new thread instead of getting things done.

How do you guys focus on important stuff?

[nenjin]

I take what I do seriously, and I let the fear of negative consequences keep me on task. It's not the best way to stay focused and motivated but it's certainly one way. I want good outcomes and I make myself responsible for getting them. That translates into guilt when I'm not doing something I should be, and I quit screwing around as much.

[Mullet Master]

At some point in the last ten years , I was a serious student. As was many of my friends, some of which now have Dr. in front of their name. The tips I give may not be necessary for you, as not everyone has to do really, really serious studying. But, should you or someone else on this forum have to do it....

1) Find a distraction free environment or make one for studying.
You have already identified things that distract you... the internet... your friends.... so start there.
Don't study in groups, and when you are studying, move away from your computer. Move into a different part of your house/apartment, one that you don't particularly like or find interesting.

Even if it means spending a significant amount of time in commuting, a distraction free environment is absolutely critical to getting studying done. The idea is, you need to put yourself in a place so boring, that your only choice is to getting through your studying to get the heck out of there.

When I was in college, I did this by retreating to some of the worst places on campus. I spent countless hours in a poorly lit basement vending machine area (which was visited by almost nobody), a computer lab that was empty after 5PM, and library areas as far from the main pathways as possible.
 
2)Homework is not the same as studying. Homework isn't always about skill mastery, it's sometimes just a waste of time.You use study time to master skills or memorize things, not do the repetitious "busy work".

Homework is something that can be done in the presence of distractions. You can do a few math problems, do some basic research, or type a paper with the TV/internet on. If you really find it hard to finish your homework, then the best thing you can do is squeeze it in the small intervals of time you have between tasks. This will keep your mind fresh and you'll be far more likely to finish the whole assignment.

I typically did homework immediately before and after lunch, as well as between classes. Everyone has a "down" time in between work/school and evening meal - try to capitalize on this time. These small intervals are key because hey, you can't really do anything else in these short periods of time... it's not like you can watch an entire episode of TV or play a dozen missions in your current video game of choice in 20 minutes.

3) Cellphone off while studying, no exceptions. This is time for your own mental development, and nothing else. If your friends seriously don't like this policy, then this should be cause for pause. Choose your company wisely. Your future success can be directly affected by your friends.

[Shook]

Man, this is a very familiar issue to me, to the point that i thought i had ADD for a while. Basically the only real way i get myself going is to give myself a metaphorical slap and say "ok i am going to do this now". But you know what else is a great motivation factor? The fact that, once you're done with your work for the day, you can do exactly what you want to do in the remaining hours, and not feel guilty about procrastinating. Believe me, when i'm faced with a boring task, my train of thought is basically derailed before i begin, but some things just have to be done. You can have fun afterwards, and it'll feel even better because you need to chill out after doing boring stuff!

ninjaedit: also Mullet Master offers some supreme advice.

[Glowcat]

If you can't will yourself to do work when necessary it's time to consider a medical option because you're a likely candidate for ADHD. If you find yourself getting distracted even from things you want to do (i.e. not just some responsibility) then you should still consider yourself a candidate for ADHD, although if it's not seriously interrupting your life you may opt to avoid medication.

[Tellemurius]

My school provides accessibility for anyone thats diagnosed with ADHD and you get basically a hound tutor, extra time for work, and once a week counseling to keep you on track. Its why im getting my status reaffirmed cause im sick of failing my classes, can't say im a non-productive person mooching off since i work fairly high up in my industry just school is a freaking brick wall, i make money and pay taxes, at least help me please.

[Reelya]

Structuring rewards for yourself can work for some people. You need a tiny bit of willpower, but basically don't allow yourself to do a particular thing you want to do, until after you've got a certain amount of the thing you need to do completed. Make the reward something you already enjoy, but restructure things so you're used to doing whatever it is after achieving something.

[Vector]

Meditation class has helped me a lot.

[alamoes]

I gave up a long, long time ago.  I do things that I believe are interesting and are easy.  If you make the homework interesting and easy, then I do it.  So, suck it up and do it regardless, or eventually reform education to make homework easier and more enjoyable.  Option one does not work as well as two.  Your probably stuck with option one, not two, but still. 

Of course, somehow I've sat there staring at the screen of a computer for many hours more then I should have, watching a simple little simulation of a bunch of dots.  So, another technique is to think beyond your homework and look at the scope of it, but then you'll realize how pointless homework is in the scope of the entire universe.  The only homework that I can deal with is reading.  Then at least you are learning something new. 

[MetalSlimeHunt]

I use a strategy of rapid multitasking if I find myself avoiding work. Do a little bit of several things you want to do, and then stick homework in there somewhere.

This may not work out for you though, since it involves a lot of mental juggling. My strategy ends up with things like reading a few sentences from an SCP story, changing my background music, turning off my background music to watch a couple minutes of a Lets Play, writing one or two sentences for the paper I don't want to do, change background music again, play a round on a flash game, change music, post on Bay 12, change music, write two sentences...

Of course, if you can't keep all this straight it is useless.

[Sigulbard]

I took the advice you guys gave me a managed to create this essay:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Essay 22 – Cheese

“In order to understand ourselves, we must first understand cheese.”

So went the famous words of Carl Sagan, revolutionary philosopher and the first president of the United States of America – a man whose accomplishments almost come near to the ones of cheese.

Many an afternoon has been enjoyed by a family, bonding over the discussion of cheese. Now becoming a heatedly debated topic in today’s modern society, cheese has emerged from the sands of time as a victor, and has made a perceptible comeback. Although it has been acknowledged that cheese has played a paramount part in the development of man, many of today’s most brilliant minds still fail to comprehend the meaning behind cheese, and its impact on future generations. In the past, the press has repeatedly returned to the topic of cheese, but it still fails to receive the credit it deserves. Many also cannot to recognize the impact that cheese has had on the Western film industry. Cheese, being just the way it is – perennial – hence allows mankind to return to it from time and time again.

It has been estimated that the ruling class of today thinks about cheese over 8.75241 times a day, and in the past year two passive candidates running for some kind of position have mentioned cheese in their somewhat pessimistic public speeches. Major persons in financial science have conducted studies all over the world, and reached a conclusion that goes too far to be ignored: that the market value for gold is, in scientific terms, ‘holding hands with cheese.’

When Hollywood star Julius Caesar said his famous phrase “I came, I saw, I conquered.” I indubitably believe he was referring to the importance of cheese from his perspective. No other thing has had an impact so palatial to our lives. Comparisons between the Roman and Greek society give a clear picture of the importance of cheese to the developments of social conduct. I shall not insult the intelligence of the reader by explaining this obvious comparison any further. In other words, cheese is (to use the language of the streets) “Super cool.”

I shall now leave you with a relevant, ovation-worthy quote from the most influential Ancient Greek philosopher of all time:
“Bananas are yellow” - Socrates

I sense a good grade.

[eerr]

Focus is a limited brain chemical in the same vein as self control.

The obvious solution is to do whatever you want with very little restraint.

[sjm9876]

I have this issue. i just find myself completely unable to focus on anything I'm not interested in/see as pointlees. Which is not helpful. the worrying thing is that no matter what i cannot find any way to motivate myself to do it. Luckily i'm naturally good in class and get top grades without the work, but it doesn't help when the teachers end up yelling at you purely because they have to to keep things fair.
 However, I'm perfectly happy to work when I find it interesting - my research homeworks tend to be good as long as they are open, because then I can do whatever I want. i just find myself physically incapable of doing something i don't find interesting.

[scrdest]

I took the advice you guys gave me a managed to create this essay:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Essay 22 – Cheese

“In order to understand ourselves, we must first understand cheese.”

So went the famous words of Carl Sagan, revolutionary philosopher and the first president of the United States of America – a man whose accomplishments almost come near to the ones of cheese.

Many an afternoon has been enjoyed by a family, bonding over the discussion of cheese. Now becoming a heatedly debated topic in today’s modern society, cheese has emerged from the sands of time as a victor, and has made a perceptible comeback. Although it has been acknowledged that cheese has played a paramount part in the development of man, many of today’s most brilliant minds still fail to comprehend the meaning behind cheese, and its impact on future generations. In the past, the press has repeatedly returned to the topic of cheese, but it still fails to receive the credit it deserves. Many also cannot to recognize the impact that cheese has had on the Western film industry. Cheese, being just the way it is – perennial – hence allows mankind to return to it from time and time again.

It has been estimated that the ruling class of today thinks about cheese over 8.75241 times a day, and in the past year two passive candidates running for some kind of position have mentioned cheese in their somewhat pessimistic public speeches. Major persons in financial science have conducted studies all over the world, and reached a conclusion that goes too far to be ignored: that the market value for gold is, in scientific terms, ‘holding hands with cheese.’

When Hollywood star Julius Caesar said his famous phrase “I came, I saw, I conquered.” I indubitably believe he was referring to the importance of cheese from his perspective. No other thing has had an impact so palatial to our lives. Comparisons between the Roman and Greek society give a clear picture of the importance of cheese to the developments of social conduct. I shall not insult the intelligence of the reader by explaining this obvious comparison any further. In other words, cheese is (to use the language of the streets) “Super cool.”

I shall now leave you with a relevant, ovation-worthy quote from the most influential Ancient Greek philosopher of all time:
“Bananas are yellow” - Socrates

I sense a good grade.

Hey, if your teacher is into Postmodernism, I think you won't have to do anything for a good grade anymore until the end of the year.

[noodle0117]

1. Turn off all room lights around you.
2. Turn on desk lamp
3. Put on headphones and listen to this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoUXbEgJMXM

You have now properly prepared yourself to concentrate for 46 minutes and 22 seconds.