I’M UNABLE TO FOCUS ON MY STUDIES
Q
I’m a grade 12 student and have trouble focussing on my studies. I spend a lot of my time sleeping or am on my phone. I’m scared this might affect my future. Please help.
A
I’m afraid the message I’m going to deliver might not be too palatable, but it is necessary. Spending most of your spare time sleeping or on your phone is going to have an impact on your academic results. Fact. It’s a simple equation; the less work you do the less likely you are to do well. What you need to understand in order to make changes is why you’re struggling with motivation.
There could be a number of reasons at the heart of the matter. Firstly, you may have chosen the wrong path for yourself. It’s not uncommon when you’re young to go along with things that others want you to do, or to choose to do something because you can’t think of anything else. Perhaps taking the time to think about whether the subject you chose engages your interest enough to pursue it is a first step. If the answer is no, then maybe it’s time for a rethink.
You don’t mention your parents at all and I wonder whether they are unaware or haven’t noticed that you are finding it difficult to make an effort. If possible, talk it through with them and voice your worries. If not, chat to a trusted teacher or student counsellor before it’s too late to do anything about changing your subject.
If you feel you have chosen the right subject, then begin to question why you don’t feel more motivated to study. Low mood can make us lethargic and this can be compounded by technology that can trap us into repeated patterns of behaviour that end up controlling us.
I am increasingly worried about the ‘virtual lives’ people seem to lead through their phones and it can be hard to pull yourself away as tech can be very addictive. Breaking that cycle means that you have to force yourself to get out there and do things that you don’t feel inclined to. Exercise might be a route out of the bedroom and into a more energised frame of mind. Join a club or a team or even just get out in the open air and you’ll feel a whole lot more positive.
My final suggestion is that you find someone to study with. Buddying up with a more committed student is likely to force you to become more involved with your studies.
Rather than going home and repeating the same old patterns of behaviour, identify key times in your week when you can go straight to a more formal study area like a college library and work in there.
Simply going home maintains the status quo – change the environment and your behaviour is likely to change with it.
Discipline is required for success in any field and you need to accept that sometimes we have to do things in the short term that we don’t want to do, to ensure the long-term prospects are bright.