A question about how to homework

[Rualani]

I'm trying the computer science major path starting with a community college and I was wanting to ask others about strategies they used to focus and 'make it'. Personally, I'm having severe issues avoiding distractions and mobilizing myself to Calculus and Computer Science. I'm getting through, but I think my goal should be to do the homework ASAP, and stay continuously involved with the material I need to learn.

There's this really interesting book Titles "Tales from both sides of the brain" I picked up. I knows it talks about that one study that showed how one hemisphere in the brain makes up stories about why we do stuff. Neat.

Also, I'm terrible with interpersonal communication so I'm going to read "How to win friends & Influence People" to try and figure out wtf I'm supposed to be doing. My Fe is rather ignorant and annoying.

Wtf was I talking about again?

 

[Tannhauser]

I have just finished a degree in mathematics. I still have no clue how to generate focus.

If there was one technique that worked consistently, it was doing math in coffee shops.

 

[Giomtl]

+1! Studying in coffee shops or libraries.. Only way to make it so far... I'm ADD and a lot of intps tend to be.. So obviously i need to study something as interesting as possible to me or no motivation is possible


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[anais]

Hello, this is my first post. Do I hear a "Welcome, INTP forum noob?"

I'd suggest to keep things fluid and interesting. I like to study with music. I don't know your personal preferences, but I find changing the location of study also helps to not bore me to tears.

I picked up a weird tip a couple of months ago. I have a lamp, and his name is Dwarf. Each time I study I turn Dwarf on and proceed to work, regardless of the time of day. It may be late night or early afternoon, and the lamp is still on when I work. When I stop working I turn the lamp off. Also, I don't do anything other than work in the study space. I think it's nice to subconsciously prepare your mind by allocating this space where (as much as we INTPs despise it) routine and familiarity provide some ease for work.

If all else fails, I find debating the topic aids in thoroughly understanding concepts espec. in classes like philosophy, ethics etc. Having an ENTJ pal comes in handy sometimes.

Hope it all goes well

P.S. It's an ungodly hour here, apologies for any grammatical errors. Then again, you could argue all hours are ungodly... but let's save that discussion for a well rested individual (not me rn)

 

[JPS]

First of all, rule out the possibility of psychological disorders that impede concentration like ADHD. In such cases, medication greatly helps.

Take small chunks at a time, spaced over long periods. Plan accordingly. The human condition is such that people cannot wrap their heads around everything at once and still have life work out in their favor. Compartmentalize.

Annotate. I find this to be helpful for the reason that the impetus to write about what I'm reading or studying secures my concentration.

Hope that helped in some degree.

 

[EditorOne]

What JPS said: Small chunks. We sometimes tend to be daunted by vast tasks. Bust it up into smaller ones and exercise self discipline in tackling the chunks, using the limited size and time as motivation. And reward yourself when you complete a chunk by doing whatever it is you'd rather be doing than homework. Simple, but it actually works. I've written entire books this way.

 

[Rualani]

Attaching a behavior, like turning a lamp on, to study habits is an intriguing idea. I might make a ritual where i simply pour a cup of tea and get all the homework stuff out, then just... chill for a sec.


I've ruled out ADHD, but I've been getting a disturbing amount of feedback in the general direction of depression. Been consistently taking the pill of exercise to keep my head above the water and that's been working fantastic.

The small chunks idea has been working as a pscyhological mechanism for me. I promise I'll only get started with a chapter, but once I'm started I just keep going. Taking walks has helped, but is nowhere near a habit yet.

I think once exercise and proper time-management become more habitual I'll be in much better waters. This semester crashed into me like a wave and I've been reeling horribly from the beginning causing me to double down and discipline increasing strategies. Golly, I could write so much, about discipline, lifestyle and how it improves the situation.

JPS, what's the method you go about with annotation. I haven't really utilized that technique and I don't think I know where to start.