Ok, I'm pretty much incapable of doing any sort of schoolwork without taking ritalin or adderall. Drinking caffeine wakes me up sure, but I still feel groggy headed. Using tobacco, either smoking it or dipping it does the same thing, it wakes me up, but I still feel all groggy headed. Sure, there are points in time I feel like I'm thinking clearly, but that aint the norm (I've been this way my whole life, even before I was put on study drugs, so it aint only related to them). So I'm asking, does anyone out there have any tricks they use to help them concentrate on doing work? Without those study aids, I end up staring blankly at my computer screen after 15 minutes. Then I inevitably start playing solitaire or checking out websites and stuff, and can't get myself back to doing work. Sooo... any tips or tricks? I'm going to try meditation tomorrow, but my experiences with it in the past have proven useless, since I always end up thinking of something stupid I've done during the day, shouting out something along the lines of, "Goddammit!" and getting myself out of any sort of trance I was in. Any help would be appreciated. <--- = me right now... blankly staring at the tv and computer

-Matt

Getting a full nights rest to start.

Eating right, Brainfood

And exercising, for me running helps me clear my mind.

Hi Matt
I empathize. I have the same problem--- although I managed not to take any prescription drugs to get me through. However, what made it worse is other than having attention problem, I also obsessed on having good grades. I finished my bachelors and masters--- but oh boy, what a challenge. And my classmates thought that it was a walk in the park for me, but they didn't know my struggles because I kept my lack of concentration a big dirty secret.
To cope with it, I made sure that everything is neat and clean at home and at my office at work. For some reason, when I was started letting go of things, I cannot concentrate at work and home and school. It's a constant battle (to be neat and tidy), and being organized keeps me feel that I am in control and accomplished, and therefore less distractions while doing school work.
Also, I tried giving myself a timetable for school work. I used TV as a reward--- i.e., finish 800 words and then take a TV break. No excuses though--- I placed post it notes in my screen "NO INTERNET UNTIL YOU FINISH 800 words". I also studied with the nerds---, and only brought books and notebook (without my laptop) so that I don't start surfing. Try that. And maybe that meditation thing might work... at least your actively seeking for help to get you through, rather than finding other excuses.
Good luck
J

Matt,

I've never had the issue of lack of concentration that you have discussed, but I have had plenty of experience w/ stimulants, (ie too much coffee, etc). I can tell you that too many stimulants makes me nervous, bouncy & too wired (both physically & mentally). Perhaps you need to have a health specialist look @ your intake of stuff & suggest alternatives. Another thing I thought about is that the drugs you're taking for your condition may have side effects that result in lack of concentration. I don't know if they do or not, but that could be another factor. You might want to check w/ your doctor who prescribes them. Finally, it could be a combo of both of those things. Plus, consider what you've been going thru the last several months (ie coming out, working on your school work/grades, the issues w/ your wrestling team, etc). That's a lot of stuff to handle all at once & stress like that could take its toll, which can ultimately effect your mind/body in many ways. Those issues could also be effecting your overall outlook on life & motivation for keeping up w/ your studies. Good luck kiddo. Keep us posted.

As strange as it sounds, I found either studying someplace loud (usually a coffee shop) or listening to music helps. Something about having to tune out that noise makes it possible for me to focus.

Hope that helps.

Learn how to meditate. It improves focus.