Keeping your head in the books - what do you do when your brain isn't in it?

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Specializes in surgical, geriatrics.

I'm in a ABSN program and I have a tremendous amount of material that gets covered every week, but after long marathon study sessions and three tests a week (ugh!) I find it hard to keep my head in the game. Sometimes I plan study time and can't keep focus and will have to read the same paragraph over and over again or I get distracted by the most minor things And when I can't pull it together I get into a freak out loop about running out of time that makes it even harder to stay focused. How do get back on track during those times your brain tries to make a run for it?

Oh, and it goes without mentioning: I really need to be working on a paper right now and I keep getting distracted ;) Ooh, look - a shiny object over there!

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

When I had trouble concentrating, I would read the book out loud to myself; forced me to keep going on the paragraph. If you are just reading, it is easier for your mind to wander. Reading out loud forces you to concentrate on the words, and you are hearing it as well as reading it.

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Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

Good day:

Study for 20 to 25 minutes, take a five minute break where you are actually doing something physical for those five minutes away from your study area; then come back and do a five minute review. Then rinse and repeat.

Thank you.

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Good day:

Study for 20 to 25 minutes, take a five minute break where you are actually doing something physical for those five minutes away from your study area; then come back and do a five minute review. Then rinse and repeat.

I agree. I study for 30 minutes and then take a 5 minute break. I get up and walk around just to get the blood flowing again.

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Specializes in Hospice.
When I had trouble concentrating, I would read the book out loud to myself; forced me to keep going on the paragraph. If you are just reading, it is easier for your mind to wander. Reading out loud forces you to concentrate on the words, and you are hearing it as well as reading it.

Excellent tip!

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These are good tips!!

Sent from my iPad using allnurses.com

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Specializes in surgical, geriatrics.
When I had trouble concentrating, I would read the book out loud to myself; forced me to keep going on the paragraph. If you are just reading, it is easier for your mind to wander. Reading out loud forces you to concentrate on the words, and you are hearing it as well as reading it.

This is a good tip--I just worry about people seeing me in the corner of the library all alone talking about bowel sounds and think, "Oh boy, she's really lost it now!"

Thanks for the advice everyone!

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Hahaha I have to read aloud so I don't go to the library either, afraid ppl will think I'm cray cray!

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Specializes in Oncology/hematology.

I go running. I study until I can't anymore, then head outside for a run, then back in to study. It helps to fatigue my body and settle me down both mentally and physically.

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My teacher's tip for that is if you are tired and just are not focused, put it down!!! Allow yourself a break! I usually make bargain's with myself.. I am like okay Layla, if I get to this page, I can take a break and go do something to get it off my mind for a little while then come back to it.. Another tip my teacher's inform us on (if you are managing your time well--I know its hard to do in nursing school), if you are getting sleepy, take a nap! Do not avoid it! Take an hour nap, BAM you are refreshed and ready to go again. I think it's hard for the younger generation (not saying you are but I am 22 and I get in the same distraction modes you are talking about), to sit and not want to multi-task and do a million things at ones. We cannot help it! Our society has conformed us! Lol. I like the above tip though. Read aloud. I do that all the time! It helps a lot!! Remember though, do not forget to reward yourself!! My teacher said it best, if you do not make some "me" time during your schedule, you will go crazy!!

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So, when you're working as a nurse, what's gonna happen to your patients if you're just not into it someday? Huh?

Your education prepares you for work in more than one way. Think about that. Buckle down and learn what works, but as a hint, when you're at work, going for a little run or taking a nice nap is NOT gonna happen.

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I will concur with most of the rest of the people who commented. You won't really learn the material if your mind is not focused. If you can manage it, take a short break, 5-15 minutes, and do something else. Something physical. Forcing your brain to keep going simply won't help you, you won't retain the information. In the end, you'll simply have to keep re studying the information over and over, costing you valuable time

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