Take Charge of Your Wandering Mind

Honestly, it has happened to the best of us. You’re in class, supposedly paying attention, but you find yourself elsewhere, thinking about the infinite number of things that you could and would rather be doing. The semester is coming to an end and the symptom of the wandering mind is exacerbating. However, not to worry! Here are a few suggestions on how to crackdown on focusing so that you can get through the last week of instruction and dead week, and finish the semester strong.

The first step to dealing with a wandering mind is to monitor your thoughts and see if there is a specific trend to what you daydream about. Many times the mind dwells on unresolved topics. Upon discovering what it is that your mind keeps wandering off to, determine if it is a quick fix, and tend to it as soon as possible to eliminate this source of distraction. An example of a quick fix? Chores that you have been putting off, such as laundry, washing the dishes, etc.

Another method to deal with your wandering mind is to reduce and manage temptations that result from social media. Social media is a great distraction within the context of our contemporary society. One method to deal with this type of distraction is to establish a set of concrete rules for yourself, such as limiting the amount of time that you will spend with for example your phone or computer. However, if you do not feel confident that you will be able to control your temptations, you may consider the aid of some apps that block specific websites. Two apps that you can use through Chrome are called “Facebook Nanny” and “StayFocusd.” Especially with finals and dead week approaching, these applications are definitely an option that is worth considering.

Additionally, get in the habit of engaging in meditation and doing mental exercises, which can help ameliorate your focusing strategies. That is to say, if you set aside a specific amount of time to focus on thinking about concerns and distractions, then you may spend less time contemplating about these issues consistently throughout the day. It is key to give these thoughts enough reflection. Ignoring and repressing these thoughts will only perpetuate your anxiety and these issues will continue to interrupt your daily activities.

The wandering mind is a natural thing that happens to everyone, and although it is not a bad thing, it is definitely something that should be able to be controlled, especially during crunch time. Becoming aware and learning the way your mental tendencies work can stop distractions from taking over your thoughts. This will not be a quick and easy process; however, it is a skill that I believe is worth developing. Although you may not become a master overnight, being more alert to your wandering mind will help you become a better listener in class. With some practice, you will be in prime condition to prepare for your finals!