Q&A for How to Concentrate on Your Homework

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How can I study smart?

Josh Jones
Academic Tutor
Josh Jones is the CEO and Founder of Test Prep Unlimited, a GMAT prep tutoring service. Josh built the world's first and only score guarantee program for private GMAT tutoring. He has presented at the QS World MBA Tour and designed math curricula for Chicago Public Schools. He has over 15 years of private tutoring and classroom teaching experience and a BA in Math from the University of Chicago.

Josh Jones

Academic Tutor

Expert Answer

Try studying in a noisy environment. That way, you'll be better prepared to deal with any distracting noises on the day of your test.

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Hi, I just can't concentrate. I have to do my homework and all of it is on my computer. My computer also has YouTube and I love YouTube. I can't seem to stop using YouTube. Please help!

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It sounds like a browser extension or app that blocks YouTube during your working time could really help you! Try using a website blocker like Freedom, StayFocusd, or Limit to totally block your access or set time limits on distracting sites like YouTube.

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How do you get boring homework done quickly when it's hard to focus?

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Try breaking it down into smaller pieces. For example, if you're doing math, do a problem, then take a 1-2 minute break before moving on to the next one.

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What if I start daydreaming and lose track of time?

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This can take some time to pay off, but you might benefit from doing mindful meditation every day before you do your homework. This kind of meditation helps you become more aware of what your body and mind are doing so you can focus better and notice when your thoughts are wandering. Look for a guided meditation app or watch some videos online to help you get started.

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What if I have to do my homework in a room with other people because that where my computer is?

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Politely explain to them that you're trying to work and ask if they can keep it down. If they're still distracting you, try wearing some noise-canceling headphones and playing soft music or white noise.

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If I'm in an environment where I have two siblings making loud noises, what can i do?

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Try nicely asking your siblings to keep it down while you're working. If they won't listen and you can't move anywhere else, see if you can get some noise-canceling headphones to help block out the background sounds.

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Is it ok to wake up at 5 in the morning to do your homework? I usually wake up at 5:30 anyway.

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If that's when you feel most energized and ready to work, that's totally okay. Finding a time that's good for you is a great way to improve your focus while you work.

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I always finish my homework 3/4 and then I get bored or I just get up and go somewhere. What should I do?

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It might help to schedule breaks into your homework time. If you tend to get bored when you've been working a certain amount of time, get up and do something else for a few minutes. Try going for a walk, doing some stretches, or daydreaming a little. Then, go back to your homework--you might find it's easier to focus and get it done!

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How do I concentrate when my dog keeps on bugging me and begging for my attention?

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If possible, put your dog in a different room or go to another area to study. If you're not able to do that, try giving your dog a puzzle toy or a long-lasting treat as a distraction while you're working.

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How long should a break be, and what's a good way of refreshing my brain during that break?

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Take a five to ten minute break once an hour, and use it to go outside, stretch or have a light, healthy snack.

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How can I focus on my work when I have someone sitting beside me doing distracting things, like watching TV?

Feelingcafe321

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Ignore them or tell them to put it in low volume. You could also find another quiet place to study.

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What if I can't focus and keep staring at the paper blankly?

Community Answer

Look up and repeat to yourself what you have read or written so far. Then think about what is next, and continue your task. Each time this happens, keep going -- don't let it distract you. Also, make sure you get enough sleep, as it can be hard to focus when you are tired.

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How can I focus on my homework if I'm sleepy?

Community Answer

Have a nap first. Eat a healthy snack. Use good lighting. If you need reading glasses, then wear them. Sit comfortably without slouching. And be sure to get sufficient sleep every night.

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How can I do my homework when it's extremely hard, confusing, and brain-racking?

Community Answer

Calm down and take short breaks so you don't get upset. You should also ask your friends, teacher, parents, and/or and classmates for help. Your parents may be willing to hire you a tutor.

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Question

I don't have any distractions, but I just keep zoning out every few minutes. What can I do about that?

Community Answer

Make sure you get good rest, and make sure to stop every 1 or 2 hours for a break. If that doesn’t work, make sure you are completely relaxed and focused.

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How can I stay focused on homework if I am up late at night?

Community Answer

Take a nap before you start, then every hour, have a tiny bit of something sweet or a sip of something caffeinated to keep you awake. Be sure to ingest only enough to keep you awake. Or you could start homework earlier or finish it in the morning.

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How can I focus on homework if I want to read a book on my computer?

Community Answer

Put a block on you favorite websites so you can't use them until you are done.

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What if can't find a quiet place to study?

Community Answer

If you can't find a quiet place to study, try asking other people if they can be quiet or shutting your door. If this fails to help, get noise canceling headphones to block out noise in a noisy area. Alternatively, head to the library or a friend's house for some peace and quiet.

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How can I focus on doing homework on my computer while I really want to watch videos?

Community Answer

If the videos are mainly music, then you could try playing them in the background, if you can handle that. But another, probably better option is to use them as small motivations. Tell yourself that after a certain amount of pages or problems, you can watch x amount of videos and then get back to work.

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What should I do if I am stuck on one thing?

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Do what you know first, and then go to the last thing you were stuck on.

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I am often distracted by my own body, for example cleaning my nails, pulling the hair off my skin, picking at the skin of my fingers. How can I get rid of this type of distraction?

Community Answer

Ignore everything around you, if you need to, put your hands under your desk and don't mess with them, finish the chapter and then take a small 10 minute break so you don't get demotivated.

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What if the work is too boring, but need it to be done?

Community Answer

Just think about the the fun things you can do after you finish your homework.

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What if I can't do my work fast enough and it takes about an hour to do one assignment?

Community Answer

Start earlier, or plan ahead and do it as soon as possible so you're not doing 4 hours of homework the night before it's all due. Ask your teacher or hire a tutor for extra help if you need it.

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Question

When I am doing my math homework, I just stare blankly at the page. However, when I listen to a story or podcast, it helps me concentrate. How do I explain this?

Community Answer

Some people need extra stimulation, like music or noise, to be able to focus. This is especially common among extroverts, who often feel uncomfortable in silence and get restless from the lack of stimulation, which makes it hard to stay focused.

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How do I write a report without getting overly stressed?

Community Answer

First off, calm down. Read over your work and instructions and get your mind into the assignment, which will make it easier for you to concentrate. Don't look at the time. Just keep confident and stay motivated. If you are tired, get some sleep. Do not be afraid to ask others for help.

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How can I stay focused on my homework when anything in sight distracts me?

Community Answer

Take that distracting thing away from you or turn it off or put it away somewhere. Out of sight, out of mind.

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What if the distractions don't stay quiet?

Community Answer

You can try wearing earplugs or earmuffs to block out the noise.

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What if I share a room with my sister who plays piano and flute?

Flux

Community Answer

Your room is probably very noisy if someone is practicing music there. Find a quiet space. This could be your kitchen, basement, living room, or any spot in your house that doesn't have distractions. If you can't find a quiet room, you should create a schedule wherein you have the room to yourself for some time each day to do your homework.

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How do I not get distracted from my phone if I need it for homework?

Itota

Community Answer

Log out of all the things that you have on your phone. You can also turn off notifications so you won't get distracted.

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Question

My mom won't let me do my homework with friends for some reason, What do I say to her?

KY_GirlatHeart

Community Answer

She's probably concerned that you'll end up being distracted and not completing homework, and that's totally understandable! Make sure that these friends you'd like to do homework with are actually reliable and hard-working, and assure your mom of those qualities. You can ask if you can do homework with them at your house so that she can supervise you; once she trusts you all enough, you can ask to do homework elsewhere, such as at one of your friends' homes.

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