<p>Hey. I made a list of things I need to do by the time school starts and I just really need to push myself to get all of it done. So here is my question: How do you guys keep yourself focused and are able to push yourselves to keep going? I know that this is going to be a really tough year ahead of me too so I feel like it's good that I can start training myself so that I can study a good amount of hours a day. Here is just a few things on my list so you know what I'm up against. Study a lot for the ACT, I got a 25 and I am shooting for a 32, study for sat subject tests, math and spanish, teach myself pre-calc so i can get out of a class so I can take calc, and finish my research paper. So if you guys have any advice for how to push myself so I can keep going, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks a lot guys.</p>
<p>I believe you need to find some form of motivation. This varies from person to person. Some people are able to concentrate naturally, in any type of environment. However, some people need complete isolation to concentrate. If you are one of those people who need to be isolated from your computer and other distractions, then I would recommend you make a habbit of going to the library for however many hours you project it will take you to complete a task. Personally, I’m focused during the school year, but during the Summer it takes further motivation. For this reason, I will occasionally ask my mom to drive me down to the library for a few hours. In doing this, you are forcing yourself to study. You need to decide what kind of working environment enables you to concentrate and then go from there. Hope this helps!</p>
<p>I agree. Summer is a lot harder to focus than during the school year 
I do need complete isolation a lot, but at the same time if I don’t have music or something, it takes me forever to get concentrated. I just don’t know what to do really, so that’s why i made this thread haha :P</p>
<p>^You can go to the library and listen to music:> When I go there, I see several other people doing the same thing. They bring their ipods with them. I’m like that too with math. I always listen to music while doing my math homework, but not with any other subject though. I assume each person just has their own idealistic conditions. Anyway, hope everything works out.</p>
<p>I find that once I get myself going I can’t be stopped.</p>
<p>But it’s incredibly difficult getting to that point. I usually just end up getting extremely frustrated with my own procrastination, shut everything off, crack open the book, and begin.</p>
<p>yeah okay. I really hope I can do this. But i’m getting upset with this cuz it’s annoying…</p>
<p>I really hope I can do this. Do you just push yourself through the frusturation? I just get ****ed, throw my book and fall on my bed… every time.</p>
<p>Sorry for answering you again lol, but I’m bored…Anyway, I know what your experiencing, I’m going through the same thing right now. When you are doing homework or studying, you can’t THINK that you are studying. Otherwise, at least for me, it will just be dull. You have to make it interesting, try to make it relate to something that interests you if you can. If it’s something like history, imagine yourself living there in those conditions. It seems easier to relate if the subject pertains to you.</p>
<p>Well right now, it’s math cuz i have a placement test in a few days. And i HATE math so I dunno.</p>
<p>^Hmm, I guess it doesn’t relate to math as much lol. It works with everything else though, at least from my experience. Maybe that’s why math is my least favorite subject lol. Does anyone else want to answer this? Try to use that method on your ACT preparation and other subjects though!</p>
<p>If you’re doing homework on the computer, do not allow yourself to go on the internet (since, if you’re like me, you’ll get hugely distracted), if at all possible. Most of the time, you shouldn’t have to go on the internet, but if it’s a paper or something like that, try to stick to print sources to minimize the possible distraction.</p>
<p>Make a schedule. Stick to it.</p>
<p>“Make a schedule. Stick to it.”</p>
<p>You make it sound so easy. I’ve tried that for a whole semester and never figured out how to do it.</p>
<p>It just takes extreme motivation. The only way I can push is to have a goal that I really want and it gives me that extra drive to succeed. MANY MANY times I also find it hard to concentrate even when I am highly motivated.</p>
<p>The best advice I have for you is to STUDY IN A GOOD ENVIRONMENT!!! You have absolutely no idea how helpful a good study environment is. If you have extra papers everywhere and clutter all around you, you will not study efficiently or effectively. Basically you should clean up your room and make it neat. Throw away things you don’t need and just keep you environment simple.</p>
<p>If you can’t(or won’t) consider cleaning, go to the library. But there will definitely be a point where you may need to stay home and study.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone. I am going to try a few of these methods today. If anyone else has anymore suggestions, I would love to hear them. 
Thanks again!</p>
<p>I agree a good environment makes it a lot of easier to focus. Unfortunately, I’m crammed in an a tiny apartment w/ a lot people (1 bedroom apartment) with zero privacy, it frustrates the hell out of me. I need to be isolated. I often find the best libraries to go to are the ones in a college university as opposed to the ones in the community (only b/c the ones here are packed with little children). I just went to an university library a few times this summer to study (and just yesterday) - I love it there. And it forces you to work b/c it is a college environment w/ people - so you get that extra motivation. I might consider going there once every month when school starts</p>
<p>imagine getting pwned in the wharton ED round by people like me. that should be motivation enough.</p>
<p>What do you mean getting pwned? Just like not having good enough stats?</p>
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<p>Actually make a schedule. If you’re not sticking to it, try to make it more detailed. Make sure you have a specific goal for each time you work and don’t stop until you finished.</p>
<p>Okay. I like that idea. I am going to try that.</p>
<p>In your schedule, how much time do you spend on break? In frequency and time that you spend taking a break.</p>
<p>"What do you mean getting pwned? "</p>
<p>Imagine a clown stomping on your face with a humorously large shoe. That’s what I mean.</p>