How do you guys do it?

[Hicks12]

Revise, complete coursework/homework and other work/school related things? I honestly cant seem to be able to complete any of my work in a respectable time frame or to a good standard (i was ok before i had glandular fever a month ago, still suffering gerrr). I find that when i try to revise or sit down i do my work i get distracted, if im on the computer im looking here/researching other technology things or looking at Hotukdeals or even face book!. When im not on a computer/have no internet im generally distracted by small things like pens etc or i just dont do the work, sit there and cant think of anything good to type/write up.

So how do you lot manage to complete all your work and revise, successfully? ANy tips/hints for me?

( Im meant to be doing cw now but i really cant be bothered >.<).

[Rave]

I never did manage, which is why I did well at my GCSEs (easy) O.K. at A-Level (a bit harder) and flunked out of university (hard).

You could try the traditional methods- remove all distractions, concentrate on getting lots of sleep etc., or you could try to get yourself diagnosed with ADHD, for which chemical help is available.

I tried it, and the NHS wasn't interested, which is why to this day I have to work shifts to earn a decent wage.

Sorry to post such a sudden and harsh reply, but you sound exactly like me when I was younger, and nothing I tried worked. If I had known how much grief my inability to concentrate on stuff that bored me would cause me in later life, I'd have got myself a private Ritalin prescription years ago.

I find that smoking helps my concentration quite a bit, but I'm hardly going to recommend that.

[Hicks12]

All replies are welcome, straight to the point are alot more useful to me. Did you ever find that you couldnt concentrate at a-levels because you just didnt like ur subjects much and expect Uni to be way better?

For me i find im having problems with ICT more than anything else, my teacher is a complete rubbishrubbishrubbishrubbish to me and treats me differently compared to all my class mates... he treats me as if im retarded and everything i say is incorrect ( if i question anything im simply wrong, even though google will back me up... even the text book ). It really got to my head last week when he threatened to kick me out of sixth form because i mentioned to him the remote login wasnt working and that he needs to inform the IT department that there is a fault.

I feel like ICT A level is worthless and a subject im not enjoying, its all so dumbed down and general that i see how they can call it anything to do with technology. As i have a direct interest in technology and can research it for hours without bordem im really hoping Uni will be different with a much more direct course that will allow me to be distracted while doing work but that distraction actively helping me do my work (like reading technology reviews of new tech and future designs etc).

Try and apply for ADHD, worth a shot but i doubt my doctor would believe that... she doesnt believe i suffer from depression even though ive really be down for about a year, even my parents notice it!.

[alsenior]

If you’re having trouble writing essays I suggest looking into something like dragon naturally speaking. Only costs about £80 with a rather cheap headset. But it works me rather well

If you are struggling to concentrate with the Internet connected, I suggest you remove the distraction by printing out copies of the research material and using them rather than looking them up on the Internet. Then physically disconnecting the computer from the Internet while you do your essay. In the past I have had massive trouble concentrating and still do.

If having trouble with the person teaching the subject I suggest you go see a department head as they will be up to sort out any issues you having. I’ve had a few problem teachers in the past and usually it’s down to a simple misunderstanding although admittedly some can just be difficult. If that doesn’t resolve the problems keep pushing higher until you reach a satisfying conclusion.

With regards to doctors, you can always seek a second opinion. You can usually get this GP-unit at the local hospital, though they may send you to an occupational therapist before prescribing anything.

[Hicks12]

If you’re having trouble writing essays I suggest looking into something like dragon naturally speaking. Only costs about £80 with a rather cheap headset. But it works me rather well

I believe i have some software called viavoice, was good back in the day and i shall make an effort to try it out.. might help

If you are struggling to concentrate with the Internet connected, I suggest you remove the distraction by printing out copies of the research material and using them rather than looking them up on the Internet. Then physically disconnecting the computer from the Internet while you do your essay. In the past I have had massive trouble concentrating and still do.

Internet doesnt help but then i seem to just make my distractions even if im not on it, bit of a blank for this bit i think.

If having trouble with the person teaching the subject I suggest you go see a department head as they will be up to sort out any issues you having. I’ve had a few problem teachers in the past and usually it’s down to a simple misunderstanding although admittedly some can just be difficult. If that doesn’t resolve the problems keep pushing higher until you reach a satisfying conclusion.

He is the department head, hes treated me like this since i started sixth form (last year), gradually getting worse with me just because i question some of the material and answers. I think ill just take my mates advice and not say anything and do nout for the lesson. See how that goes but if it dont help them i will be writing a letter complaining cause i just cant be dealing with this teacher any more, he is the reason why im not passing ICT at the moment aswell!.

With regards to doctors, you can always seek a second opinion. You can usually get this GP-unit at the local hospital, though they may send you to an occupational therapist before prescribing anything.
Ill have a look at this, i have to see my doctor about some other medical issues and about my nerve operation on arm in a weeks time , so will see what she says and if need be will try and see someone else.

Thanks for the post .

[wombar]

Did you ever find that you couldnt concentrate at a-levels because you just didnt like ur subjects much and expect Uni to be way better?

You sound a lot like me when I was doing A-Levels I didn't exactly excel at A-Level (particularly computing) because I had possibly the worst lecturers you dream up. One guy just came in and read out of the (ludicrously out of date) text book. The best thing was, he then wrote on my end of year report that I was definitely not suitable for Uni

Uni is a whole different ball game! You'll get out of Uni what you put in, but the most important thing you learn while you're there is: You learn how to learn. Seriously, that's the most important thing you can take away when you graduate.

Everyone learns differently and once you nail that on the head, it's just about the best tool you can have at your disposal. I'm a self taught web developer, and I'm always learning new things.

I'm trying not to waffle too much, so I'll just say this. Keep your chin up, work hard and aim your sights at Uni (if that's what you want to do). A-Levels are a stepping stone, they're not the be all and end all.

[Lanky123]

This definitely sounds familiar, I'm doing a physics degree and I did an essay course last semester because I thought it would make a bit of a change. They ended up being handed in 4-5 days late on average. (Especially after I worked out that they weren't actually penalising me for handing them in late, that just removed any sense of urgency I would ever have had ).

At the end of the day even if you remove all distractions you still need some sort of motivation to do the work. Do you need the grades to get into uni? If so do the work, and do it to the standard required for you to get in. Otherwise you're probably not going, simple as.

If your teacher is crap and you don't think it's worth your while complaining to anyone then the simplest thing is probably just to get your head down and ignore him, from the sounds of things I doubt you'll be needing too much help from him regarding your work so shouldn't really need to talk to him much. Also, if you are having so much trouble getting any work done, maybe this is why your teacher doesn't like you much? He would do better to try and find out why you aren't handing work in and help you, but some teachers just don't make that effort. Try handing a good piece of work in on time (preferably one that doesn't pick holes in his inadequate teaching methods , unfortunately simply rewording the textbook might be the best way of getting marks from him) and see if his attitude changes at all?

Uni is different to A-levels, but don't kid yourself into thinking you can mess about reading graphics card reviews for a few years. There will probably still be a few modules you find boring, but you should have scope choosing optional modules to learn what you want to, especially in later years.

One thing I find that I find can help me to work is to get some exercise. If I've been cooped up for several days trying to do work I guess it's not surprise if I want to get up and move around. An hour or so of badminton or something usually makes me happier to just sit down and get on with something.

[Stringent]

I hated revising. Give me coursework to do any time.

Try to remove distractions. Nowadays there are a lot of them. Games consoles, phones, computers ... If needed give them to someone else to look after while you study so they are out of your way.

[mikemikemi]

Thankfully all my studies are over now.

For exams I am a last minute crammer, luckily I have a good short term memory. I find that pressure is a good motivator. I also found going to the library where there was nothing else to do (leave phone at home) very useful.

Coursework wise, last minute again. Too many nights at uni in the 24hr computer labs to remember, so can't really help there.

[Zak33]

Hicks.. you have to take is as though it were a PAID JOB.

You have to do it, and you have to do it well. That involves tidying your desk, eating before and having water at your desk to keep your brain going.

You have to set targets and achieve them and then rest for a short time.

Distractions? That's just weak will. Do the damn job or be sacked (or in this case flunk and not GET a job)

Music might help but NOT with lyrics. Classical is good.

[0iD]

The Library was where I got my most successful revising done & in the morning. After lunch, forget about it tbh, I always found that was the most productive time. Treat it as a routine, up, breccy, revise, lunch, relax & pick over some of the harder bits at leisure. Repetition & routine

[dbh]

This may sound odd but when I was coding and writing up my dissertation (all 4 years ago) I listened to a lot of breakbeat / funk music (as Zak pointed out music without lyrics helps a lot) and that just kept the energy levels pumping to keep on going.

Obviously taking a good few breaks after a few hours working etc helps maintain a healthy balance so you don't tire yourself out. I'd say Zak's advice is pretty spot on treat it as if it was your job. Less distraction the more you cram in. Also it doesn't hurt to go over stuff a few times repeatedly so it sticks in your head. (Think of it as replaying a level from a checkpoint so you do it properly for top score )

Hope that helps!

[tiggerai]

Music might help but NOT with lyrics. Classical is good.

Trance is also good - but not the vocal sort - I can concentrate on anything with Trance in be background...

ICT A-Level is a waste of time imho - so don't worry... you can get a decent IT career without it..
The curricilum is all wrong and really doesn't teach you anything useful that you couldn't learn elsewhere. (sorry, just my opinion.... you're prolly too far into it to back out now...)
(I did Comupting GCSE - D Grade as I didn't sit the exam because of illness and I'm still where i want to be.... didn't do anything computing related at A-Level)

I really struggled with my A-Levels as I was just fed up of being at home and education (slight pushy parent issue...)

To re-iterate:

Make sure you're getting enough sleep (remember "enough" varies from person to person - especially if you've had Glandular fever...)
Eat well... cut down on the junk and feed yourself healthy stuff... fatty stodge just gives you sugar rushes which are no good for concentration - drink lots of water - a hydrated brain is better at thinking!
Cut it down into manageable chunks and stick to your plan. Don't rush it all... Do a bit of reading then go out for a walk... do some writing then read a bit of a magazine etc.
Set yourself an area free from distractions.
Most of all... Believe in yourself... you can do this... you just need to work out how!

Stick with it, Uni WILL be better.... Have you applied to anywhere to do anything yet??? Keep that goal in mind...

And as you know, the HEXUS family are always here to help (apart from when you're supposed to be studying!)

[matty-hodgson]

Ritalin is good. My friend has ADHD (not just to get the pills) and he gave me some of his pills during the summer exams last year and they actually do help concentration. I'm not sure on the side effects or anything though, was kinda stupid.

Also, what Zak said is good. Treat it like you HAVE to do it. Think about what'll happen if you don't do it, like.. Crappy job, low wages, crappy hours, that sort of thing. If they're not enough to motivate you then I don't know what will .

[TheAnimus]

Diet and Exercise are good.

Stopping all distractions, having music on that is mindless helps me, but drives some people mad, a random selection of classical music is quite good, calming almost.

[Zak33]

Trance is a good idea tbh... but getting it solidly non vocal is hard.

But FOOD is essential.. you MUST be nourished and well watered to absorb information.

Tuna Mayo sandwich... glass of organic milk... OMEGA3 HEAVEN!!!