How do I improve my attention span?

rainbow kirby

Over the last while, I've noticed that my attention span, in general, has become incredibly short and that I find it extremely difficult to focus on things for more than a few minutes - either I get distracted, or I can't think straight, or I drift off to something else (I even find it difficult to write forum posts of more than about 3-400 words without getting distracted). This is starting to become quite a big issue for me as I am a final year student and my short attention span and short time that I can focus for are making studying and completing my assignments quite difficult unless I work at them in very short bursts, which isn't ideal.

So really what I'm asking is - does anyone have any idea of how I could improve my concentration, or on how I could improve my attention span?

Wreck

I've no experience of it, but most forms of meditation are said to increase attention span and concentration levels, and it would seem to make sense that this would be the case.

Aren't you dieting?
Make sure you are getting enough fat and protien. Try taking an omega supplement.
In fact if it were my final year, I would hold off on the calorie restriction altogether.

af_thefragile

I'm not an expert on this either... But i think meditation should help... You might wanna look into it.
I'm sure there are certain kinds of meditations specifically meant for improving your attention span/concentration and all...

Oh and a good diet helps too.
I usually notice my attention span and concentration dwindling when i'm short on food and my body is starving.
Its very important to keep your body healthy and filled with nutrients to improve your attention span and concentration.

seanybiker

Not an expert on it meself but you could try..................... hey look a bird. Nah sorry, You're more than likely thinking about your attention span to much and ahve got yourself in a bother over it. I know its easier said than done but try not to think about how good your attention is while your doing something, kinda go with the flow.

trowelled

As it is you're final year you're probably a little stressed and this is bound to ompact on your concentration. I have noticed my memory and concentration is a lot worse than it used to be and I've attributed to the recent stress in my life. For this reason I would agree with other posters and say that meditation would do wonders for the brain and maybe just taken time out every now and again to relax and unwind!!

Also a good diet is essential. Someone once told me that vitamin B is great for the memory so I'm sure the same goes for concentration.

Carrigart Exile

rainbow kirby wrote: »

Over the last while, I've noticed that my attention span, in general, has become incredibly short and that I find it extremely difficult to focus on things for more than a few minutes - either I get distracted, or I can't think straight, or I drift off to something else (I even find it difficult to write forum posts of more than about 3-400 words without getting distracted). This is starting to become quite a big issue for me as I am a final year student and my short attention span and short time that I can focus for are making studying and completing my assignments quite difficult unless I work at them in very short bursts, which isn't ideal.

So really what I'm asking is - does anyone have any idea of how I could improve my concentration, or on how I could improve my attention span?

oh I cannot be bothered reading this Sorry OP:o

Have you tried Omega 3 and Omega 6 oils (fish oil/cod liver oil) it has a reputation for improving memory and brain power

Ishmael

I was a bit like this in my final year too, i think it was mainly down to my diet and exercise(or lack of, i should say) over the previous years catching up on me. I found eating fish and a bit of regular exercise a great help. The exercise is especially good for getting rid of stress.

brianthebard

Agree with comments on vitamins and diet (must get more B vitamins). Also not being smart but perhaps try to curtail your internetting time, it has a habit of making people flit from one topic to another, kind of hard to explain but you might have already noticed it in yourself. I know I could go for ages concentrating on the one text a few years ago but now....

Thomas_S_Hunterson

A nice cup of coffee can be great.

AARRRGH

Couple of things:

1. I think the Internet is training us to concentrate in bursts. You know, everything is short and sweet. Try re-reading novels you like (or new novels) to get back into the habit of reading for long periods.

2. Give up alcohol, and if possible coffee and junk food. I gave up all three and the changes are dramatic. My concentration and intellect are way sharper, I need less sleep and in general I feel physically and mentally well.

3. Stress or depression might be playing some sort of role here. I suspect it might be stress as you are a final year student. If you're finding you can only concentrate for short periods, a rather dramatic but effective system to use is to set aside very long periods for study (e.g. 8 hours) as a way of compensating for the smaller amount of work you'll get done. Even if you only manage 2 hours of actual study, that's still two hours.

I suspect your concentration problem may get worse as you get closer to your exams, so do everything possible to get on top of things now. If this means getting grinds, going to study groups, whatever, do it.

4. Simplify your life. Remove things which could potentially distract you. For example, if you are single, do not bother starting a new relationship until after your exams. Keep your life simple so you have less things to distract you.

5. Don't study near a computer. You'll just go onto boards Do all your study in your college library.

Good luck.

rainbow kirby

I should probably mention that as a Computer Science student, it's almost impossible to study without a computer. I'd agree with what AAAARGH said about the internet getting me used to reading in short bursts - that's also something I should watch out for. It probably doesn't help that I spent a *lot* of the previous 2 years no-lifing it on World of Warcraft (though I quit that about 4 months ago).

I've given up alcohol since early September, and I'm trying not to eat much junk food - though that was more out of trying to lose weight than anything else. But you can pry my caffeine from my cold dead hands - it's been my friend for the last 10 years and giving up coffee at this point would probably do more harm than good.

pablomakaveli

rainbow kirby wrote: »

Over the last while, I've noticed that my attention span, in general, has become incredibly short and that I find it extremely difficult to focus on things for more than a few minutes - either I get distracted, or I can't think straight, or I drift off to something else (I even find it difficult to write forum posts of more than about 3-400 words without getting distracted). This is starting to become quite a big issue for me as I am a final year student and my short attention span and short time that I can focus for are making studying and completing my assignments quite difficult unless I work at them in very short bursts, which isn't ideal.

So really what I'm asking is - does anyone have any idea of how I could improve my concentration, or on how I could improve my attention span?

I have the exact same problem. I find it very difficult to focus and it can cause me problems some times. If someone is talking to me i sometimes will stop listening to what they are saying because i get distracted and this can be a problem when people are explaining something important to me. i dont even realise sometimes as i easily get lost in my thoughts or distarcted. i havent a clue how to remedy it either.:(

AARRRGH

rainbow kirby wrote: »

I should probably mention that as a Computer Science student, it's almost impossible to study without a computer.

Are you sure? I have a masters in computer science and did hardly any of my study in front of a computer - that included programming assignments; I always figured them out on paper first. (This system got me excellent grades btw, so it does work.)

af_thefragile

You made some really good points there AARGGH.
Especially the one bout the internet.
Cuz lately i've been also finding it immensely hard to pay attention on one thing for a long time. I can't read through novels anymore or sit down and practice my guitar playing properly for like an hour or two.
And i have noticed it could well be really related to me spending more time on the internet.

Like I remember 2 years ago, i could finish a whole novel in a night and i could sit down and practice my guitar for hours at length without feeling the need of doing something else or getting bored. While now i just can't spend more than 10-15 mins on one thing at all. I get bored or easily distracted with something else or feel the immense need of find some instant fix, like listening to a song, going on the internet and checkout out my e-mail, forums and all...

And i think this change has come all down to me spending more time on in the internet. Like back then i barely used to spend time on the internet. I didn't have my own laptop, i wasn't a member of any internet forums or anything, i didn't know a thing about youtube and people used to barely send me any e-mails. So i had the whole day to myself where i could spend time reading novels or practicing my guitar or riding my bike or anything.

But then i found the internet, i started spending hours at length on it everyday. After i broke up with my gf, i spent even more time on it. And thats pretty much all i've done over the past year. I spend the whole year wasting around on the internet and it became the center of my life. Now i got too used to it that i just can't seem to function without it at all!!

So i think its time i get off the internet!!
Well, for a start i did end up getting myself banned of this forum i used to spend hours on, so i don't go there anymore, that thing has been certainly good for me. Now i need to start cutting down the time i waste on youtube (though i do discover a lot of good musicians though youtube) and i don't spend much time on boards anyway...

KlodaX

caffeine and sugar got me though my final year of BSc in computers.

saying that I'm back at college now ... sugar gone... coffee reduced tea to*not giving up the caffeine!!!* ... but my real gem is Rosemary.

Laugh you may but clinical trials have been done on it and it has been proven to increase cognitive skills ... maths problems given to a group of people ... all scored about the same but the group given rosemary did the problems faster.

I have a burner and essential oils in it. It increases blood circulation to the brain. I put lavender in it by accident the other day and couldn't figure out how I was so sleepy. Didn't realise untill the next day! It just brightens you up ... makes you feel more alert. Its also an anti depressant so should help abit with the stress.

I've been using it for 2 years now when I study so my mind also sub consiously associates the smells with studying. I think that helps too.

Best of luck with your finals.

Kinetic^

Water and about 2 litres+ per day.

LegacyUser

just wanted to say that i noticed my attention span was decreased, went to the doctor and it turned out to be low b12. a friend had gone to the doctor with similar complaint although with severe tiredness too and was diagnosed as anaemic. maybe get a check up with your doctor incase it can be solved as simple as this. best of luck.

dudara

B vitamins are very important for the nervous system - you might want to consider taking a supplement of some form. A trip to the college doctor might be a good idea.