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mental concentration

Started by amish1234 Nov 2, 2004 at 12:52 AM 8 replies 900+ views

Original Post

Nov 2, 2004 at 12:52 AM

I've always had this problem, but recently it's been far worse than ever before. When studying or programming, my mind is constantly drifting to things like beer or girls. Often it's so bad that I will just realize that I've been staring into space for an unknown amount of time, without even knowing what I was thinking of. If I'm tired, taking a nap only helps slightly. The results of caffeine are the same. It's so bad that I was beginning to wonder if this is happening out of disinterest and maybe (computer) engineering isn't for me. Then I realized I have the same problem with reading books and writing papers for my art history class. Has anyone here tried something like ginkgo bobola? What is your opinion on it? Any non-supplement/drug suggestions?

alnite

Nov 2, 2004 at 1:25 AM

Quote:
Original post by amish1234
When studying or programming, my mind is constantly drifting to things like beer or girls.

Masturbate?

ontheheap

Nov 2, 2004 at 1:26 AM

Gingko Bobola doesn't seem to do anything noticeable for me. A good way to improve concentration, however, is good 'ol fashion exercise. It's also a very good idea to take a break every now and then. I know that if spend more than 3-4 hours on any one thing my mind starts drifting. I'll read a sentence five times and then realize I have no idea what the sentence said.

For exercise, it doesn't need to be anything extreme. What I usually do is just walk a few laps around the lake behind my apartment, maybe bs with some neighbors if they happen to be outside. Then I'll go back to whatever it was I was working on.

If I'm still having trouble focusing, I just say screw it and do something else. Either watch tv, play a video game, go for a bike ride, watch a movie, post in the lounge ([grin]), or whatever.

$fractoid$

fractoid

Nov 2, 2004 at 1:49 AM

Are you just finishing, or have just finished, your first year computer studies? If so you may be experiencing "ex-fresher syndrome", commonly known as "I don't give a crap, let's go get a beer" disorder. :)

There is no cure. Everything is proceeding as normal. Simply lower your expectations, do just enough work to pass your course, and spend the rest of the time slacking off / enjoying yourself. This is what university is about, don't let anyone tell you different. The stuff you learn at uni is only vaguely useful in the real world anyway - anything of any great value, you learn on the job.

Toolmaker

Nov 2, 2004 at 3:11 AM

Meditation

It helped me alot of gain better concentration. If you do this for a week or 3 for about 5 to 10 minutes a day, your concentration should increase significantly.

Toolmaker

jbadams

Nov 2, 2004 at 6:23 AM

I'll second meditation.

On the matter of your thoughts wandering to drinking and/or girls:
-Get a girl
-Set aside weekly time to go drinking with mates
Really, it helps.

Make sure to take breaks, and all the usual recommendations too.

amish1234

Nov 2, 2004 at 11:56 AM

I've thought of exercise before, and realized I haven't been exercising for a while. So I started doing some push-ups and ab exercises semi-daily.

Masturbation occurs frequently enough. Trust me.

Beer consumption does occur on a regular, weekly basis.

As for a girl, I plan on dialling the phone number I got over the weekend, but I think it's likely to be a wrong ladder situation.

I always thought meditation seemed really pussy, unless you're a martial arts master. But I guess I can give it a try.

I'm going to give ginkgo bobola a try today.

Ainokea

Nov 2, 2004 at 12:01 PM

Quote:
Original post by amish1234
I always thought meditation seemed really pussy, unless you're a martial arts master.

Yeah, then its hardcore.

dagarach

Nov 2, 2004 at 12:04 PM

You'll have a hard time finding ginko bobola, try gringo ebola instead.

PumpkinPieman

Nov 2, 2004 at 1:00 PM

I got the same kind of problem, that's all I think about. It bothers the hell out of me, so soon I'm going to a doctor to see if he can perscribe some medication for it. I honestly think I'm incapable of keeping focused on something for more then 10 min.

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