Have you ever sat in a class where it seems as if time never passes? It seems as though whenever you try to concentrate, you just drift off into dreamland. Trust me, I have been in numerous classes where I just can’t seem to concentrate, simply because I don’t enjoy the subject.
It’s very important to learn to adapt to these situations. However, overcoming these feelings can be a difficult task, which is why I have put together some essential tips that have helped me succeed.
In my sophomore year of high school, I took a Grade 11 Introduction to Computer Science class (I’m in a special program that allows me to take courses one grade higher). At first, I thought I would really enjoy it, but throughout the year, I found myself struggling to do the basics which was extremely stressful. I absolutely hated the class, but I knew I had to pick up my pace in order to get the desired mark. My way to do this was to learn and implement time management skills, understand my strengths and weaknesses and communicate with my teachers and my peers.
Here are some of the basic skills I implemented throughout the year:
1. Time Management.
Prioritize the tasks for your class and spend more time on parts that you are not confident in.
Stop procrastinating on your work, this will only lead to stress as the due date approaches. Doing even just a little bit of work on that project is better than doing nothing.
Make a realistic schedule with realistic tasks, really take the time to think about what’s essential for you and where you should allocate most of your time into.
Keep distractions to a minimum. As much as you would like to scroll through your Instagram feed, studying is more important as that will actually help you in the long run.
2. Listen To Yourself
Do not overwork yourself, this will only lead to burnout. Make sure to take frequent breaks while studying.
Understand your strengths and weaknesses. Work harder on your weaknesses and don’t have your complete focus on your strengths. This will help you grow over time and will allow you to carry out tasks you may not be confident in doing.
Try not to compare yourself to others, we all have different highs and lows. If you find yourself feeling helpless, try implementing certain things that would help distract you from those feelings.
For example, I used to listen to music while working on classwork, most of the time this did help me forget my problems for a short period of time so that I could get as much work done as possible. (Do this only with the permission from your teacher).
3. Concentrate In Class/Alter Your Perspective
Ask questions and be more enthusiastic, this will allow you to be more alert in class
Pick out certain topics from the lecture and connect them to things you like, this way you will be able to remember important concepts and make the class more enjoyable for yourself
Don’t set a negative perspective for the class, this will only make you dread taking the class. Instead, try to pick out the positives and focus on those.
Although I followed those tips diligently, I would frequently get overwhelmed with the load of work, which consequently led me to compare my work to others. These feelings resulted in creating a negative view of myself, which in turn, induced a lot of stress.
It was very important for me to find a coping mechanism otherwise, the stress would trigger a negative impact on my mental and physical health.
Here are some mindfulness tips that helped me throughout my sophomore year:
1. Take A Rest Day
Sometimes a break is all you need. Having a day where you could do things you enjoy can really help distract you from your worries.
2. Talk To Someone About Your Problems.
Most of the time ranting to your friends/family helps get your problems off your chest. It is much easier to take a class when you aren’t constantly stressed out.
3. Take A Walk/Get Some Fresh Air
Some alone time can sometimes help you find solutions to your problems. Being out in nature can calm you down, try viewing it as an escape from reality.
Dealing with stress is a difficult task, but it is important to take care of yourself mentally and physically, otherwise, the stress could build up over time and harm you in the long run.
I hope these tips will aid you in achieving your goals. Please remember that you are not alone, many of us go through these struggles too, but as long as you listen to yourself, you will be able to reach the light at the end of the tunnel.
Sabriha is going into her Junior year of High School at Danforth Collegiate and Technical Institute, located in Toronto, Ontario. Despite frequently having a very busy schedule, She finds joy in the little things in life and tries to enjoy the natural world as much as she can. She enjoys listening to a lot of music, she listens to mainly kpop. She is a very passionate learner who enjoys Science (mainly biology) and has the ambition to become a successful doctor in the future.
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