Concentration and structur strategies?

[TerokNor]

How do you focuse yourself on something and structure yourself?
My usual strategies seems not to work anylonger and I slowly feel panic rising up, when I think about all the hundreds and hundreds of pages I still need to read and understand and combine with other things I know, even right now I seem to have forgotten everything I know. Its all just gone!

I just come out of a very emotional stressful time (3 close family members and 2 pets died after suffering for quite some time in the last months...well one of the animals I let put to sleep, was no other way, one family member was acutly in hospital, my dog nearly died, a friend got closed up in a psychiatry, a person I worked for for a short time trampelt down my selfworthfeeling quite well , I was ill myself and still feel somewhat not totally healthy and some other things), and I stand under high pressure, because my next grades decide if I will still be getting my stipend for longer or not. If I don´t continue to get it I cannot study for a Masters degree (I do not get normal student loans for a Master degree, because I started to study late after being in a different job for some time). Also in 5 weeks the examinations start (I need to get As because of the stipend), and it is SO much to do for those, that I feel quite overwhelmed...its not that I have not started to learn for them all ready, but its no use. And I need to organizise so many things, for the next months (practical work things in the country and abroad, a language course, the flights etc.).

I feel so stressed out, tired and emotional drained, that I just cannot concentrate anymore. My memory seems not to work anymore, my creativity is not as it was, I barely understand anything I read, I seem not to be able to think complex anylonger...its as if my brain decidet not to work anylonger.
And things that relaxed me before do not relax me anylonger.


Anyone has advices/strategies how to be able to focus again and to think complex and keep things in mind?

Thanks!

Exausted TerokNor

 

[bluedana]

TerokNor, I'm sorry you're going through this tough time, but I think it's great that you're looking for strategies to help yourself. I can suggest three things that I use. They also seem to work with my son, who is easily distracted and often overwhelmed.

1. Take deep breaths through your nose, holding for a count of ten before exhaling through your mouth. Not only is this an excellent way to get through contractions during labor (a side benefit, I guess), it counteracts the tendency to breathe shallowly (which deprives you of oxygen), which you do when you are stressed and panicky.

2. Make lists. It's easy to be overwhelmed by say, a major project or paper. Break it into bite sized pieces and list them. As you chart your progress by crossing things off the list, you show yourself that you are actually in control and making progress. Have a lot to organize? Plot your deadlines out on a paper calendar.

3. Use a stopwatch or egg timer. If you try to work on something for hours at a stretch, you'll exhaust yourself and you won't retain much. Better to work straight through for 30 minutes, take a 5 minute break, and work for another 30, etc. Get up, walk around, do whatever, then get back to work refreshed and refocused.

These strategies helped me quite a bit when I studied for the Bar Exam, and I go back to them time and time again when the work/life balance falls out of rhythm. They sound simplistic and kind of "Good Housekeeping magazine," I know, but they work.

Good luck.

 

[Caliburn24]

As far as reading and studying go, I've always found classical music to be extremely useful. Mozart especially, just seems to make studying far easier.

It puts me in that zone where I'm not looking at page numbers or the clock or thinking about anything outside of what I'm studying or writing. The focus boost is quite nice.

Listening to music while studying is not any great secret of course. But many people listen to music with lyrics or a funky beat that does not help with focus.

 

[Dukat's Major]

I use the "stare out the window for a while" technique. Might sound crazy, but as someone with numerous anxiety issues which can effect memory it works quite well. Turn off music, noise, other distractions, and just try to think through something you just read. Too many distractions and it can be very overwhelming.

I find the best place to do this is when I'm driving.

 

[Amaris]

I recommend Samatha Meditation. It is a form of meditation that focuses the mind. Here's a good article on it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samatha

 

[TerokNor]

Thanks a lot! I will try your ways and advices and hope one of those might help me back to the point were I can successfully educate myself again.

TerokNor

 

[TerokNor]

Just got two grades back. Both of them 1,0! I am SO reliefed! That brings me one step closer to keeping the stipend and being able to continue studying!

(Our grade system from best to failed is 1,0/ 1,3/ 1,5/ 1,7/ 2,0/ 2,3/ 2,5/ 2,7/ 3,0/ /3,3/ 3,5/ 3,7/ 4,0/ 5,0)


TerokNor

 

[Yeoman Randi]

Terok, wow!! so much to go through at one time. It's no wonder you're stressed to the max. Is there anything you are passionate about? Reading, a hobby, something you can do to break up the day a little bit and just enjoy for no other reason than to enjoy? I find that helps me a LOT when i am stressed.

 

[TerokNor]

I am not that stressed anymore. Quite happy at the moment to be honest. Just wanted to tell, that I got my grades, that I tried to study for during that time and that the examinations against all odds were successful.
However thanks for your sympathy. I discovered that for me long walks in nature and hearing some classical music (especially piano only) relaxes me well. So I hope should another time like that arise (which is hopefully not too soon) I will be able to relax better, than during that time.



TerokNor

 

[RJDiogenes]

Congratulations.

I don't really understand that grading system (especially the commas ), but all I need to know is that you got the best score possible.